First Quarter
Jacksonville State 7
Arkansas 7
JSU Arkansas
Rushing Yards 22 57
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Passing Yards 65 93
Total Yards 87 150
Time/Poss. 8:09 6:51
Turnovers 0 1
Highlights
David Hurd: The first-game starter at weak side tackle was beaten twice in pass protection on the Razorbacks’ first drive, the latter of which resulted in a Tyler Wilson fumble returned 49 yards deep into Arkansas territory.
Knile Davis: After all the talk about being tackled through the preseason, Davis made Arkansas’ biggest tackle of the quarter. The running back ran down Rashad Smith on a long fumble return at the Arkansas 24, saving a touchdown. Byran Jones later blocked Griffin Thomas’ 37-yard field goal attempt to keep the game scoreless.
Marques Ivory: The Jacksonville State quarterback converted a pair of third-down conversions on a 13-play, 83-yard drive to tie the game late in the quarter. Alan Bonner had a 31-yard reception on a third-and-5 play and an 8-yard catch on a third-and-3. Demarcus James also had a 1-yard run to convert a third down during the drive.
Second Quarter
Jacksonville State 7 14
Arkansas 7 28
JSU Arkansas
Rushing Yards 8 45
Passing Yards 98 153
Total Yards 106 198
Time/Poss. 7:49 7:11
Turnovers 0 1
Highlights
Chris Gragg: Arkansas’ fifth-year tight end had a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, matching his season total each of the last two years. Gragg’s 30-yard catch from Tyler Wilson tied the game 14 and a 4-yard reception in the next drive gave the Razorbacks the lead. Gragg did have a fumble in the period, which resulted in a touchdown four plays later to give the Gamecocks a brief 14-7 lead.
Brandon Mitchell: After an offseason move from quarterback to receiver, Mitchell’s first two catches for the Razorbacks were big. His 34-yard catch set up a 3-yard TD run, while a 37-yard reception in the next drive helped set up Knile Davis’ first rushing touchdown of the season.
Alan Bonner: The Jacksonville State receiver scored twice in the quarter – first on a 4-yard end-around run and then on a 10-yard reception from Marques Ivory 8 seconds before halftime.
Third Quarter
Jacksonville State 7 14 3
Arkansas 7 28 14
JSU Arkansas
Rushing Yards 70 4
Passing Yards 12 121
Total Yards 82 125
Time/Poss. 9:30 5:30
Turnovers 1 0
Highlights
Tyler Wilson: Arkansas’ fifth-year quarterback had a pair of long passes in the quarter — a 63-yard touchdown to Javontee Herndon and a 40-harder to Brandon Mitchell — which set up a 9-yard touchdown run by Dennis Johnson one play later.
Nate Holmes: The freshman nearly had his career highlight, but his 51-yard punt return for a touchdown was overturned when replay showed his elbow hit the ground on a broken tackle.
Griffin Thomas: After his 37-yard attempt was blocked in the first quarter, Thomas booted a 49-yard field goal to pull the Gamecocks within 35-24.
Fourth Quarter
Jacksonville State 7 14 3 0 – 24
Arkansas 7 28 14 0 – 49
JSU Arkansas
Rushing Yards -5 58
Passing Yards 52 33
Total Yards 47 91
Time/Poss. 8:51 6:09
Turnovers 0 1
Highlights
Chris Smith: The Arkansas defensive end halted a Jacksonville State drive on the first play of the quarter, sacking Gamecocks quarterback Coty Blanchard on a fourth-and-5 from the Razorbacks 20.
Kaelon Kelleybrew: The cornerback ended a second Jacksonville State drive in Arkansas territory, knocking down Blanchard’s fourth down pass attempt from the 5-yard line.
Brandon Allen: The redshirt freshman replaced Wilson in the final quarter. Allen’s 24-yard quarterback scramble was the highlight of the first college game of his career.
— Arkansas News Bureau