Sam Pittman and his staff had Arkansas prepared for the Liberty Bowl, even with a depleted roster. But the coaching staff’s late-game decision-making almost cost the game.
No one knew what to expect from the game because of the number of players missing from the roster due to transfers, injuries, and draft preparation, but one thing was apparent. KJ Jefferson is still dominant.
Jefferson’s two-point conversion throw to Rashod Dubinion was the game-winner as Arkansas’ defense made a stop on the next play when Jalon Daniels threw the ball out of the back of the end zone.
Jefferson scored four touchdowns, three coming in the first quarter, leading Arkansas to a 31-6 lead. The running game was also dominant without Rocket Sanders, who left the game with an injury. Rashod Dubinion became the workhorse for the Hogs rushing the ball 20 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense looked good under interim defensive coordinator Michael Scherer, causing two turnovers, but the inexperience, lack of skill, and lack of depth popped their head in the fourth quarter as Kansas scored three touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the final 3:05.
Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ playcalling became much more conservative in the second half, too, leading to a fumble that allowed the Jayhawks back in the game with about 2:30 left.
Kansas took advantage of it all.
Daniels, who threw two interceptions, came alive in scoring two of his five touchdowns in the last 65 seconds of the game. The secondary of the Razorbacks didn’t stop big plays down the field, and one of the worst was a 30-yard pass on 2nd-and-29. Luke Grim, Lawerence Arnold, and Mason Fairchild found holes in the Arkansas secondary, which led to the big plays downfield.
Daniels realized how bad the secondary was, finishing with 544 yards and five touchdowns.
The late-game decision-making…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Arkansas football | Razorbacks Wire…