The rivalry between the Texas Longhorns And Arkansas razorbacks is rare and easy for both parties.
That remained the case in 2024, when No. 3 Texas escaped Fayetteville with a 20-10 win, moving the Horns to 9-1 on the season.
And again, it was so the defense that day for Texel.
In the first quarter, Texas again got off to a slow offensive start, gaining just 18 yards on their first eight plays, with two punts.
Quinn Ewers then finally got into a rhythm on drive No. 3, helping the Horns march 61 yards in six plays, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden for their first score of the game.
However, that’s where the problems started with the Texas offense, with the unit scoring just two field goals over the next two quarters to keep Arkansas alive.
The Hogs were then able to make it a game in the third quarter with a Ja’Quinden Jackson touchdown run making it a one-possession game, followed by another Arkansas field goal one drive later to close the score 13-10 Texas to make.
Luckily for the Longhorns, Steve Sarkisian had an answer.
On the next drive, the Texas offense marched right down the field for a statement touchdown on a pass from Ewers to Golden for their second scoring connection of the game. It was a score that not only gave Texas momentum, but forced the Arkansas offense – which trailed by two scores with less than ten minutes to go – to apply offensive pressure.
And that’s when the Longhorns defense took advantage, with Alfred Collins forcing a fumble that was recovered by Michael Taaffee and taking over at the Texas 39.
Capitalizing on that momentum, the Longhorns then made another statement, completing a 14-play, 43-yard drive and taking the remaining 6:16 off the clock to seal the victory.
Statistically, it was far from the best offensive day of the season for Texas, with Ewers passing for just 176 yards on 20 of 32 passing, and averaging 5.5 yards per pass.
However, the Horns still managed to control the vast majority of the game, thanks in large part to their timely play.
That said, the real star of the show for Texas on Saturday was the defense, which allowed just 74 yards of total offense to Arkansas in the first half, and 231 yards for the game. The defense also held the Hogs to just 84 yards on the ground and 2.6 yards per rush, and 149 yards through the air.
They also sacked Arkansas QB Taylen Green six times, had six tackles for loss and forced two turnovers.
The Longhorns will be back on the field next weekend in Austin when they take on the Kentucky Wildcats.
The kick-off is scheduled for 11:00 am.
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