ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS FOOTBALL
Arkansas Game Report
Arkansas puts up valiant effort but falls to #3 Georgia
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas - Arkansas moved the ball better than No. 3 Georgia for much of Saturday night, but a pair of costly turnovers and a dominant second quarter from the Bulldogs proved too much to overcome in a 27-17 loss at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Razorbacks struck first midway through the opening quarter after stopping Georgia for a three and out. Following a short punt by the Bulldogs Sutton Smith powered in from four yards out, giving the home crowd an early 7-0 lead. Georgia answered in the second with 17 unanswered points, beginning with Peyton Woodring's booming 63-yard field goal before Gunner Stockton connected with Chauncey Bowens for a four-yard touchdown. The game's biggest swing came just under two minutes before halftime when linebacker Zayden Walker scooped up an Arkansas fumble and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown, stretching the Bulldogs' lead to 17-7. Max Gilbert's 40-yard field goal as time expired before halftime trimmed the deficit to seven.
Georgia added another score early in the third quarter as Stockton found CJ Wiley from 14 yards out, and Woodring's 41-yard field goal early in the fourth pushed the Bulldogs ahead 27-10.
Arkansas continued to battle despite the deficit. Backup quarterback AJ Hill provided an immediate spark after entering the game in place of a banged up KJ Jackson, completing 9 of 10 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. His six-yard strike to Jamari Hawkins with five seconds remaining accounted for the Razorbacks' final points.
Although Georgia escaped with the victory, Arkansas controlled several statistical categories. The Razorbacks finished with 22 first downs to Georgia's 14 and outgained the Bulldogs 304-237 on offense while running 68 plays to Georgia's 51. Arkansas also piled up 227 passing yards compared to just 81 for Georgia. However, Georgia capitalized on its opportunities, scoring a defensive touchdown and winning the turnover battle after forcing two Arkansas giveaways.
KJ Jackson completed 21 of 33 passes for 150 yards and an interception before Hill finished the game efficiently through the air. Hawkins was the Razorbacks QB's favorite target all afternoon, hauling in 11 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Marshall added seven catches for 55 yards. On the ground, Braylen Russell led Arkansas with 41 rushing yards, and Smith accounted for the Razorbacks' lone rushing score.
Georgia leaned on an efficient, mistake-free offensive approach. Stockton threw for just 81 yards but tossed two touchdown passes before being intercepted by Carter Stoutmire. Dwight Phillips Jr. rushed for 81 yards on only eight carries, while Nate Frazier chipped in 57 more as the Bulldogs finished with 156 rushing yards.
Defensively, Arkansas received another strong performance from Stoutmire, who totaled seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. Miguel Mitchell also recorded seven tackles, while John Howse IV added five tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Georgia was led by Raylen Wilson's 10 tackles and three tackles for loss, with Ja'Marley Riddle adding nine stops. Khalil Barnes intercepted Jackson, and Walker's fumble return for a touchdown proved to be the decisive play of the afternoon.
Despite the loss, Arkansas showed it can compete with one of the nation's elite programs, winning the battle in total offense and first downs. The Razorbacks now turn their attention to next week's matchup looking to convert an encouraging performance into a signature victory.
Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER
ARK — Sutton Smith 4-yard run (Max Gilbert kick), 5:37
SECOND QUARTER
UGA — Peyton Woodring 63-yard FG, 6:53
UGA — Chauncey Bowens 4-yard pass from Gunner Stockton (Peyton Woodring kick), 3:07
UGA — Zayden Walker 80-yard fumble return (Peyton Woodring kick), 1:19
ARK — Max Gilbert 40-yard FG, 0:04
THIRD QUARTER
UGA — CJ Wiley 14-yard pass from Gunner Stockton (Peyton Woodring kick), 0:36
FOURTH QUARTER
UGA — Peyton Woodring 41-yard FG, 1:20
ARK — Jamari Hawkins 6-yard pass from AJ Hill (Max Gilbert kick), 0:05
Arkansas Stat Leaders
Passing
K. Jackson – 21/33 150 Yds, 1 INT
A. Hill – 9/10 77 Yds 1 TD
Rushing
B. Russell – 13 Car 41 Yds
K. Jackson – 3 Car 21 Yds
S. Smith – 8 Car 14 Yds 1 TD
Receiving
J. Hawkins – 11 Rec 91 Yds 1 TD
C. Marshall – 7 Rec 55 Yds
D. Faupel – 3 Rec 37 Yds
S. Smith – 3 Rec 24 Yds
Defense
C. Stoutmire – 7 Tkl 1 TFL 1 INT
M. Mitchell – 7 Tkl
C. Harrison – 6 Tkl
J. Howse IV – 5 Tkl 2 TFL 1.0 Sck
Georgia Stat Leaders
Passing
G. Stockton – 11/17 81 Yds 2 TD 1 INT
Rushing
D. Phillips Jr. – 8 Car 81 Yds
N. Frazier – 11 Car 57 Yds
C. Bowens – 4 Car 20 Yds
Receiving
C. Wiley – 3 Rec 19 Yds 1 TD
L. Luckie – 2 Rec 18 Yds
C. Bowens – 2 Rec 17 Yds 1 TD
I. Canion – 2 Rec 16 Yds
Defense
R. Wilson – 10 Tkl 3 TFL
J. Riddle – 9 Tkl
K. Barnes – 8 Tkl 1 INT
E. Robinson IV – 8 Tkl
J. Williams – 6 Tkl
C. Cole – 5 Tkl 1 TFL
Z. Walker – 3 Tkl 1 TFL 1 FR TD
| Team Stats | Georgia | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 27 | 17 |
| First Downs | 14 | 22 |
| Total Offense | 237 | 304 |
| Total Plays | 51 | 68 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Rushes | Yards | TDs | 34 | 156 | 0 | 25 | 77 | 1 |
| Yards Per Rush | 4.6 | 3.1 |
| Comp | Att | TDs | 11 | 17 | 2 | 30 | 43 | 1 |
| Passing Yards | 81 | 227 |
| Yards Per Pass | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 5 | 11 (45%) | 4 | 11 (36%) |
| 4th Down Conv. | 0 | 0 (0%) | 1 | 3 (33%) |
| 2-Point Conv. | 0 | 0 (0%) | 0 | 0 (0%) |
| Red Zone TD | FG | % | 2 | 0 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 66% |
| Turnovers | 1 (+1) | 2 (-1) |
| PR Yards | 24 | 11 |
| KR Yards | 57 | 74 |
| Total Yards | 318 | 389 |
| Punt Average | 38.0 | 38.8 |
| Penalties | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
