Arkansas Grounds The Air Raid in Upset of #16 Mississippi State

What a difference a week makes. After such a record-breaking performance against LSU, the Air Raid offense of Mississippi State was grounded and hogtied against Arkansas. The Bulldogs took LSU by surprise, but Arkansas Defensive Coordinator Barry Odom used a suffocating zone defense to force KJ Costello into three interceptions as the Razorbacks upset the #16 Bulldogs in the home debut of Mike Leach as the Head Coach of Mississippi State. The Bulldog defense did its part slowing down the Razorback offense to keep the Bulldogs in it. The Bulldogs also lost Kylin Hill on the first possession, and his absence changed how Leach wanted to attack the Razorback defense. True Freshmen Jo’quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson filled in for Hill, but it was not enough as the Bulldogs fell 21-14, and Arkansas ended its twenty game SEC losing streak. The Bulldogs came out in the second half looking to make a comeback, but offensive mishaps doomed the Bulldogs. The dagger in the heart for a Bulldog comeback fell through the hands of Jayden Walley as he fumbled the punt, and Arkansas recovered. Franks and the Razorbacks would give the ball back to Mississippi State with twenty-five seconds left, but that was not enough time to march down the field. KJ Costello finished 43-59 for 313 Yards, 1 TD, and the three interceptions mentioned above; one returned for a touchdown, which ended up being the margin of victory. The Bulldogs will look to rebound next week as they hit the road to take on the Kentucky Wildcats, Leach’s old stomping grounds. Franks was an efficient 20-28, 212 yards, and 2 TDs as he will finish his career 2-0 against Mississippi State, with the first victory coming as a member of the Florida Gators in 2018.