FAYETTEVILLE — With no chance of making a bowl game, the 2023 Arkansas football season will come to an end following this year’s Battle Line Rivalry matchup against Missouri on Friday.
It’s already been announced that Sam Pittman will return as head coach next season, so the biggest question looming about the staff is who the offensive coordinator will be in 2024. The 3 p.m. CT kickoff against the Tigers will serve as interim offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton’s final audition for the full-time gig.
The Razorbacks looked great with him calling the plays against Florida, but reverted back to its Dan Enos ways against Auburn. It’s hard to put too much stock into what happened against FIU, so Friday against Missouri will be his third true test.
Something that could help Guiton and the Razorbacks’ offense is the fact that the Tigers are without two of their best defensive players.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Wednesday that star cornerback Ennis Rakestraw would miss the game because of an injury. He is a top draft prospect and has an 80.6 grade from Pro Football Focus.
On Thursday, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper “appears to be doubtful” and could be a “game-time decision” for the Tigers. He is a Butkus Award finalist.
UPDATE: Hopper tested his ankle in pregame warmups, but it doesn’t appear he’ll be able to play.
Follow along below for live updates from the Arkansas vs Missouri game…
(READ NEXT: Check out our in-depth preview of the Arkansas vs Missouri matchup)
LIVE UPDATES – Arkansas vs Missouri
Pregame Tidbits
Arkansas is going with the all-red look for today’s game. It’s the first time the Hogs have used this uniform combination since the LSU game.
Arkansas right tackle Patrick Kutas is dressed out. He missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain.
Cornerback Jaylon Braxton is also dressed out and going through pregame warmups. He missed the last game with a shoulder injury.
The most notable absence is probably backup defensive end Jashaud Stewart, but he’s missed several games with various injuries this year.
Arkansas won the coin toss and deferred.
9:12, 1Q – Missouri 7, Arkansas 0
A 36-yard run by Cody Schrader got Missouri into the red zone and, after a fourth-down conversion, he punched it in from 2 yards out for the first score of the game.
4:45, 1Q – Missouri 10, Arkansas 0
Given good field position thanks to a KJ Jefferson fumble, Missouri quickly got back in the red zone, but Arkansas limited the damage to a 24-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis.
END of 1Q – Missouri 10, Arkansas 0
5:35, 2Q – Missouri 17, Arkansas 0
A small skirmish on the sideline was followed by a full-blown fight following the next play, resulting in three players (Missouri right tackle Armand Membou and Arkansas’ Eric Gregory and Zach Williams) being ejected. The Tigers scored the next play, with Cook keeping it for a 3-yard score.
0:49, 2Q – Missouri 20, Arkansas 0
Schrader’s 49-yard run once again got the Tigers in the red zone, but the defense held strong and limited them to a 22-yard field goal by Mevis. Schrader is up to 192 yards on 22 carries.
HALF – Missouri 20, Arkansas 0
11:43, 3Q – Missouri 27, Arkansas 0
An obvious pass interference penalty on Jaheim Singletary kept a drive alive for Missouri and it made the most of it. On third down, Brady Cook found a wide open Brett Norfleet for a 16-yard touchdown.
11:32, 3Q – Missouri 34, Arkansas 0
Isaiah Sategna muffed the ensuing kickoff and Missouri recovered. One play later, Norfleet was wide open again for an 11-yard touchdown.
5:06, 3Q – Missouri 41, Arkansas 0
Jacolby Criswell was lit up and fumbled again. Jay Jernigan scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown.
END of 3Q – Missouri 41, Arkansas 0
11:35, 4Q – Missouri 41, Arkansas 7
A beautiful 8-yard touchdown pass from Criswell to Armstrong caps a 15-play, 75-yard drive by the Razorbacks. That ends Missouri’s shutout bid.
5:48, 4Q – Missouri 41, Arkansas 14
Dominique Johnson’s 41-yard run set up a 6-yard score by Isaiah Augustave – his first career touchdown.
2:37, 4Q – Missouri 48, Arkansas 14
Missouri goes for it on fourth down and punches it in.
FINAL – Missouri 48, Arkansas 14
FINAL STATS
How to Watch Arkansas vs Missouri
Date: Saturday, Nov. 24
Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Kickoff Time and TV Schedule: 3 p.m. CT (CBS)
Announcers: Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (color analyst), Amanda Guerra (sideline reporter)
Missouri’s Rankings: No. 9 (CFP) | No. 10 (AP) | No. 10 (Coaches) | No. 17 (SP+) | No. 19 (FPI)
Arkansas’ Rankings: NR (CFP) | NR (AP) | NR (Coaches) | No. 53 (SP+) | No. 47 (FPI)
ESPN FPI: Missouri has an 71.3% chance to win
SP+ Projection: Missouri has a 69% chance to win, favored by 8.5 (proj. score: 32-24)
Odds/Betting Line: Missouri, -8.5 | O/U 54.5 (BetSaracen)
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