The University of Texas Football team entered Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as heavy favorites against the hometown Arkansas Razorbacks. But their longtime rival put up a considerable challenge, and the Longhorns barely survived before turning away the Razorbacks 20-10.
But Arkansas is no slouch. They beat then #4 Tennessee 19-14 at home on Oct. 5. And today, it took some fourth-quarter wizardry by Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers and some key defensive stops to secure the game.
Texas Starts the Scoring
As usual, Texas came up empty on its opening possession. But Thrope Award semifinalist cornerback Jahdae Barron would pick off his team-leading fourth interception of the season, and the Longhorns offense would begin work at its own 39-yard line. Five plays later, Ewers would hit an unguarded Matthew Golden for a 20-yard touchdown reception and a 7-0 Texas lead.
The teams were locked in a defensive struggle, but Texas would expand its lead to 10-0 in the second quarter on a Bert Auburn 39-yard field goal. The Longhorns would take that 10-0 lead into the locker room at halftime on the strength of their defense, which only allowed the high-powered Arkansas offense 74 total yards of offense in the first half.
One of the main factors behind this stingy defense was the four sacks the Longhorn’s defense inflicted on Razorback quarterback Taylen Green. However, Texas could only generate 158 yards in the first two quarters as Arkansas sacked Ewers twice.
Second Half Tussle
The Longhorns would have a successful second-half opening drive culminating with a 33-yard field goal by Auburn. It was his 58th career field goal, tying Kris Stockton and Jeff Ward for third place in the Texas record books.
But Arkansas would get back in the game when they put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Ja’Quinden Jackson’s 11th rushing touchdown of the season. The crashing off-tackle run would cut the Longhorns’ lead to six. The Razorbacks would slice that lead by three with a Matthew Shipley 44-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Longhorns Take Control
Texas took back control of the game when Ewers led them down the field to the Arkansas one-yard line. He would then throw an absolute bullet to Golden right at the goal line for his second touchdown reception of the game. The Longhorns now led 20-10. Texas sealed the victory when Green hit CJ Brown at the Texas 40 on the next Razorback possession, but Brown fumbled, and Michael Taaffe recovered the ball for the Longhorns. From there, Texas ran out the clock and preserved their victory.
Aftermath
Ewers would finish 20-32, for 176 yards passing and the two touchdown passes. Green would end up 17-25 for 149 yards through the air and the Barron interception. Texas goes home next Saturday to host the struggling Kentucky Wildcats. And Arkansas stays home to play the 4-6 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
