Texas 20-10 Arkansas (Nov 16, 2024) Game Summary

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Quinn Ewers threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns and No. 3 Texas’ defense clamped down on Arkansas’ final two possessions to help the Longhorns win 20-10 on Saturday.

Ewers’ 1-yard pass to Matthew Golden capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive that gave the Longhorns (9-1, 5-1 SEC, No. 3 CFP) a two-score lead with 9:05 left. Ewers, who completed 20-of-32 passes, also connected with Golden for the game’s first touchdown.

Ewers entered the game with Heisman Trophy hopes, and while his numbers didn’t indicate a boost to his candidacy, he and Texas have bigger goals, coach Steve Sarkisian said.

“When you just don’t have that many opportunities, you’ve got to try to maximize them when you get them,” Sarkisian said. “He took care of the football, converted on third downs and what a play … on fourth down to kind of seal the game. I was proud of him for that.”

Arkansas (5-5, 3-4) had an opportunity to take the lead on the possession before Texas extended its lead early in the fourth quarter when the Razorbacks drove to the Texas 26. The Longhorns’ defense stiffened and Arkansas settled for a 44-yard field goal from Matthew Shipley to trim Texas’ lead to 13-10.

Texas seemingly sealed its victory on Arkansas’ next possession. Taylen Green completed a pass to CJ Brown at the Texas 40, but Brown fumbled and Michael Taaffe recovered for the Longhorns. Ewers converted a fourth-and-2 with two minutes left, allowing Texas to run out.

Arkansas entered the game ranked fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense, averaging 484 yards per carry. match. The Razorbacks scored on six of their first seven possessions and were intercepted on the second, eventually finishing with just 231 yards.

“To beat the third-ranked team in the country, you can’t turn the ball over or you have to get them,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “And it was two-none. That’s what happened.”

Green completed 17-of-25 passes for 149 yards with an interception. Ja’Quinden Jackson, in his first game since Oct. 19 because of an ankle injury, ran for 56 yards on 11 carries and scored Arkansas’ lone touchdown in the third quarter.

Aggressive yields

Texas tied a season high with six sacks and set a season high by holding Arkansas to 48 yards on those sacks. The Longhorns had nine tackles for loss, including two each from Jahdae Barron and Alfred Collins, both of whom were also responsible for Arkansas’ turnovers. Barron intercepted Green in the first quarter to set up Texas’ first touchdown, and Collins’ forced fumble put the game away.

Distribution matters

Ewers’ 176 yards was a season low, but Sarkisian praised his efficiency. Eight different receivers caught his 20 completions, and six had at least two receptions. Isaiah Bond led the team with four catches for 48 yards.

Big picture

Arkansas: The Razorbacks dropped their second straight game and remain one win short of bowl eligibility with two games remaining.

Texas: The Longhorns hardly impressed offensively, but they did enough to earn a road win against a traditional rival.

Next

Arkansas hosts Louisiana Tech next Saturday.

Texas hosts Kentucky next Saturday.

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