FAYETTEVILLE — Any momentum the Razorbacks got from an early goal-line stand quickly swung back the other way in Arkansas vs Ole Miss.
Taking over at the 1-yard line, Taylen Green was hit in the end zone and lost the ball, which Princely Umanmielen eventually fell on for a touchdown, and the No. 19 Rebels never looked back on their way to building a 35-10 halftime lead at Razorback Stadium.
It was the main mistake, but one of several, in the first half that led to UA radio color analyst and former quarterback Quinn Grovey to say Arkansas sustained too many “self-inflicted haymakers” to be competitive against Ole Miss.
Right tackle E’Marion Harris appeared to whiff on the blitzing linebacker, allowing TJ Dottery to get a clean hit on Green in the end zone. It was one of five sacks and nine tackles for loss by the Ole Miss defense.
The Razorbacks were also flagged seven times for 60 yards and had several defensive breakdowns resulting in long strikes by the Rebels’ explosive offense.
Two of those long passes were 62- and 66-yard touchdowns to Jordan Watkins, who also caught a short touchdown and has five receptions for 172 yards and three scores in the first half.
Jaxson Dart has been efficient as the Rebels’ trigger man, completing 18 of 23 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns. That has helped Ole Miss out-gain the Razorbacks 362-202 so far.
Green, meanwhile, went down with an ankle injury at one point, but was able to return and play through it. He is 10 of 14 passing for 158 yards and has 16 yards on 10 carries – a number that includes five sacks that lost 23 yards. Arkansas’ lone touchdown came on a 6-yard run by Rashod Dubinion.
The 25-point margin is the second-largest halftime deficit of the Sam Pittman era, behind only the 38-3 deficit Arkansas faced at halftime of the Alabama game at the end of the 2020 season.
Here are some more updates from the Arkansas vs Ole Miss game…
Arkansas vs Ole Miss Updates
6:56, 1Q — Ole Miss 7, Arkansas 0
The Razorbacks got a goal-line stop on defense, but the offense took over at the 1 and it was disastrous. After two shaky plays that went nowhere, Ole Miss blitzed on third down and E’Marion Harris whiffed on picking up the linebacker. TJ Dottery hit Taylen Green and knocked the ball free. Jared Ivey eventually fell on it for the touchdown.
3:19, 1Q — Ole Miss 7, Arkansas 3
A couple of Taylen Green keepers got the Razorbacks into Ole Miss territory, but he got hurt on the second. They went backwards with Malachi Singleton at quarterback, but Matthew Shipley bailed them out by drilling a 55-yard field goal.
END of 1Q — Ole Miss 7, Arkansas 3
14:28, 2Q — Ole Miss 14, Arkansas 3
After a third-and-10 conversion to keep the drive alive, Ole Miss drew up a nice play that resulted in a wide open 4-yard touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart to Dae’Quan Wright. That capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
12:10, 2Q — Ole Miss 21, Arkansas 3
The Razorbacks went backwards on a three-and-out and the Rebels took a deep shot on their first play. The result was a 62-yard bomb to Jordan Watkins. This one is getting out of hand.
10:07, 2Q — Ole Miss 28, Arkansas 3
After yet another three-and-out, Ole Miss took just two plays before scoring again. It was another deep ball to Watkins, this time a 66-yarder.
5:50, 2Q — Ole Miss 28, Arkansas 10
A 43-yard catch and run by Andrew Armstrong got the Hogs deep into Ole Miss territory and a 6-yard touchdown run by Rashod Dubinion capped it.
0:05, 2Q — Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 10
The Razorbacks had a chance to make it a two-possession game, but Matthew Shipley missed a 45-yard field goal. Ole Miss took advantage my marching right down the field for another score. Dart hit Watkins for a 3-yard score with 5 seconds left in the half. It was his third touchdown catch of the game.
HALF — Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 10
12:00, 3Q — Ole Miss 42, Arkansas 10
Ole Miss received the opening kickoff of the second half and marched down the field, covering 75 yards in seven plays. It was capped by yet another touchdown pass to to Watkins. He’s up to six catches for 183 yards and four scores.
9:49, 3Q — Ole Miss 42, Arkansas 17
Malachi Singleton has taken over at quarterback. He led the Hogs down the field for a five-play, 75-yard drive of their own, capped by a 13-yard keeper.
6:59, 3Q — Ole Miss 49, Arkansas 17
Ole Miss had to cover a few extra yards on this drive, but it was no problem. It went 79 yards in 6 plays, with 325-pound nose tackle J.J. Pegues punching it in from 1 yard out.
4:48, 3Q — Ole Miss 56, Arkansas 17
Somehow, Watkins got behind the defense again and was wide open for a 62-yard touchdown. He is up to eight receptions for 254 yards and five touchdowns. It’s the most receiving yards and touchdown catches Arkansas has ever allowed to an opposing player.
2:22, 3Q — Ole Miss 56, Arkansas 24
It’s too little, too late, but Arkansas put together another nice drive. This time, Rodney Hill capped it with a 2-yard plunge.
END of 3Q — Ole Miss 56, Arkansas 24
6:47, 4Q — Ole Miss 63, Arkansas 24
Ole Miss finally put in backup quarterback Austin Simmons and he promptly led the Rebels down the field, throwing a 12-yard touchdown to Dae’Quan Wright. The Rebels’ backup tight end has 9 catches for 99yards and 2 touchdowns.
3:14, 4Q — Ole Miss 63, Arkansas 31
Luke Hasz made a nice catch in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown.
FINAL — Ole Miss 63, Arkansas 31
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