ARLINGTON, Texas — Taylen Green was running for his life in the first half of the Arkansas vs Texas A&M game Saturday afternoon.
An issue the Razorbacks have struggled with in the past has flared up once again at AT&T Stadium and against the best defensive line they’ve faced all season, as the Aggies’ blitzes gave him fits to a 14-14 tie at the break. Things didn’t get any better in the second half, either, as Texas A&M’s strong play on the line ended up being the deciding factor of the game with a strip sack to seal things en route to Texas A&M’s eventual 21-17 win.
While it had gotten home with only two sacks in the first half, Texas A&M made the Arkansas quarterback very uncomfortable and has notched five total tackles for loss, mostly bottling up the Razorbacks’ vaunted run game. (Their leading rushers at the half are punter Devin Bale and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna with 25 and 15 yards, respectively.)
Blitz pickup is something Sam Pittman has said must improve, pointing out the tight ends and running backs just as much as the offensive line, but it seems as though the latter might be the biggest issue for Arkansas right now.
Specifically, former Arkansas tight end DJ Williams called out the blocking of right tackle Keyshawn Blackstock – a player he actually identified before kickoff:
It’s not just Williams and Arkansas football fans who’ve taken notice, either. According to the ESPN broadcast, top receiver Andrew Armstrong actually took it upon himself to call out the offensive line, leading to a brief argument before Green stepped in:
On the surface, that may look like in-fighting, but it could also be seen as accountability/leadership – by both Armstrong and Green. How much of an impact it’ll have on the offense in the second half – or what kind of adjustments offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino makes – remains to be seen.
See our post-game piece on Arkansas vs Texas A&M here:
To see how the Arkansas vs Texas A&M game unfolded…
Arkansas vs Texas A&M Updates
Pregame Tidbits
According to the SEC’s official availability report, safety Hudson Clark is a game-time decision. Meanwhile, cornerback Jaylon Braxton will miss his third straight game because of tendinitis.
The Aggies will be without quarterback Conner Weigman, who has been declared “out.” That means redshirt freshman Marcell Reed will start again.
Interesting observation from pregame warmups: OL Josh Street has switched from No. 67 to No. 96, which makes him an eligible receiver. He has gotten some reps as a sixth OL/TE for the Hogs in jumbo packages.
13:49, 1Q – Arkansas 7, Texas A&M 0
Facing a third-and-10 on the game’s opening drive, Taylen Green stepped up in the avoid pressure and looked like he might run, but instead threw deep to Isaac TeSlaa. He hit him in stride for a 75-yard touchdown.
10:28, 1Q – Arkansas 7, Texas A&M 7
After a three-and-out by the Razorbacks, Texas A&M needed just three plays to cover 70 yards. The last of which was a 58-yard catch and run by Noah Thomas, who broke a would-be tackle by Kee’yon Stewart.
4:50, 1Q – Arkansas 14, Texas A&M 7
It looks like the Razorbacks were going to punt it back to the Aggies, but Devin Bale took off on a fake punt and ran for 25 yards on fourth and 15. Arkansas capitalized on the opportunity a few plays later, with Ja’Quinden Jackson capping the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.
END of 1Q – Arkansas 14, Texas A&M 7
8:58, 2Q – Arkansas 14, Texas A&M 14
With a chance to go up two scores, Arkansas fumbled it away at its own 10 yard line. Texas A&M scored just two plays later to tie it up, with Marcel Reed keeping it for a 5-yard touchdown run.
HALF – Arkansas 14, Texas A&M 14
The Aggies had a chance to take their first lead of the day thanks to a Taylen Green interception, but Landon Jackson ended the half with his first sack of the year.
END of 3Q – Arkansas 14, Texas A&M 14
13:24, 4Q – Arkansas 17, Texas A&M 14
The Hogs regain the lead on a 45-yard field goal by Kyle Ramsey.
9:00, 4Q – Texas A&M 21, Arkansas 17
Texas A&M takes its first lead of the game on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Reed to Tre Watson. That capped an 8-play, 75-yard drive on which the biggest play was a 23-yard run by Le’Veon Moss on third-and-4 near midfield.
FINAL – Texas A&M 21, Arkansas 17
Arkansas vs Texas A&M Injury Report
Here is the final availability report the two teams submitted to the SEC office…
Arkansas Football
- DB Hudson Clark (back): game-time decision
- RB Rashod Dubinion (suspension): out
- DB Jaylon Braxton (knee): out
- DB Miguel Mitchell (undisclosed): out
- OL Patrick Kutas (back): out
- TE Andreas Paaske (concussion): out
- WR Monte Harrison (undisclosed): out
- WR Khafre Brown (undisclosed): out
Texas A&M Football
- RB Rueben Owens: out
- DB Tyreek Chappell: out
- QB Conner Weigman: out
- OL Mark Nabou Jr.: out
- OL TJ Shanahan: out
How to Watch Arkansas vs Texas A&M
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Kickoff time (TV): 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Commentators: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter)
ESPN FPI: Texas A&M has a 55.9% chance to win.
Odds/Betting Line: Texas A&M, -5.5 | O/U 50.5 (BetSaracen)
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