Will Rogers, Mississippi State football steamroll Arkansas Razorbacks 40-17

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football backed up its fresh top-25 ranking by winning its third straight game Saturday. The latest victim was No. 25 Arkansas.

The Bulldogs, despite sloppy play for significant stretches, dominated the Razorbacks from the jump. No. 23 Mississippi State (5-1, 2-1 SEC) never led by fewer than two scores after the first quarter en route to a 40-17 win.

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Arkansas without KJ Jefferson

The status of Arkansas starting quarterback KJ Jefferson was unclear all week. Even in the moments leading up to kickoff, coach Sam Pittman said Jefferson was available to play but unlikely to.

It was Cade Fortin who ended up starting. However, Pittman wasn’t committed to one guy.

Fortin’s struggles quickly led to Malik Hornsby entering the game. His 52-yard run in the first quarter provided a small bright spot in an otherwise brutal start to the contest.

Fortin returned briefly after Hornsby left with an injury in the first quarter. But Hornsby returned to handle snaps moving forward.

Jefferson was on the sideline for Arkansas (3-3, 1-3) throughout the game, though without a helmet on.

Austin Williams’ turn

Mississippi State’s depth at receiver has led to a new face standing out seemingly every week. Against the Razorbacks, those rights were reserved for sixth-year receiver Austin Williams.

Williams caught just three passes in three weeks after his five-catch, two-touchdown performance Week 2 at Arizona. His fortunes changed against the Razorbacks.

The numbers, in typical Williams fashion, weren’t flashy. He had three catches for 42 yards, but he showed up in crucial moments.

His first catch was a diving effort up the middle for 20 yards to put MSU in a goal-to-go situation it would convert. His third catch was another dive, this one coming in the corner of the end zone for a score to put MSU ahead 21-0.

Will Rogers' strong yet sloppy start

Mississippi State controlled the game from the opening drive when it went 65 yards on nine plays for a touchdown. The success continued with two touchdowns on the next three drives.

But it wasn’t always clean. Will Rogers’ first touchdown pass to Jaden Walley should’ve been intercepted. Arkansas had three more near-interceptions in the first half. Rogers finished with 395 passing yards and three touchdown passes.

The sloppy play caught up to MSU late in the half.

After Arkansas got on the board with a field goal late in the second quarter, MSU turned it over on downs. The Razorbacks went 71 yards on two plays to make it 21-10.

MSU put together a nice drive in the final minute, but it ended with a missed 40-yard field goal by Ben Raybon.

Bend don’t break defense

Mississippi State is outside the upper half of the SEC in total defense, and Arkansas showed why with long drives into MSU territory.

However, MSU kept Arkansas out of the end zone until the game was out of reach. The Razorbacks scored on just one of their first three red zone trips.

MSU’s biggest stop came in the third quarter when Arkansas was looking to maintain momentum from late in the first half. The Bulldogs scored after a stop to open the second half, but the Razorbacks got to the 1-yard line looking to trim the deficit to 10.

Instead, Arkansas was met by a goal-line stand which sent MSU defensive coordinator Zach Arnett into a frenzy. Arnett jumped, bringing his knees near his stomach, as his headset came off.

Randy Charlton and Jackie Matthews combined on the tackle to halt the drive.

Dillon Johnson: Dad life is the good life

MSU running back Dillon Johnson had a son in August who he was excited to bring to games. Last week, Dillon Johnson Jr. was supposed to make his Davis Wade Stadium debut but didn’t because he was sick.

Johnson said his son would be there for the matchup against Arkansas. He got to see his dad put on a show.

Johnson ran for 29 yards on the opening drive, capped by a 1-yard score. He later added a 30-yard touchdown run to put Mississippi State up 34-17 in the third quarter.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Will Rogers, Mississippi State football steamroll Arkansas Razorbacks