After a tight first quarter, the Hogs took care of business against Alabama A&M, rolling to a 52-7 victory in their season opener at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Quarterback Taylen Green picked up right where he left off last season, leading the Arkansas offense with more than 350 total yards.
Game Summary
Arkansas opened the season with an efficient statement drive, marching 73 yards in nine plays to find the end zone. But the Bulldogs quickly answered with a seven-play touchdown drive of their own, briefly evening the score and surprising the Fayetteville crowd. The Hogs regained the lead with a field goal, but at that point the game still had the feel of a fight.
That quickly changed. After early struggles on both sides of the ball, Arkansas found its rhythm and dominated the rest of the way. The Razorbacks poured on the points, spreading the wealth offensively. Six different pass catchers hauled in a touchdown reception, with CJ Brown leading the way with two scores. By the second half, the outcome was no longer in doubt as the Hogs pulled away and cruised to a comfortable 52-7 win.
Who Stood Out for the Hogs
Green showed why there was no quarterback controversy in the offseason. He completed 24 of 31 passes for 322 yards and six touchdowns, while also adding 41 rushing yards on nine carries.
In the receiving corps, O’Mega Blake emerged as a reliable target. Blake caught a team-high seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, making a strong case for more opportunities in a wide-open position group.
Special teams also had a bright spot as freshman kicker Scott Starzyk impressed in his debut. Starzyk went a perfect 7-for-7 on extra points and drilled his only field goal attempt, a 53-yarder. His strong performance was a welcome sight after inconsistent kicking plagued the Hogs last season.
Areas of Concern
Despite the lopsided score, Arkansas had some issues to clean up. The defensive line struggled to generate consistent pressure, finishing with just two sacks. In addition, the secondary gave up 130 passing yards before halftime, raising questions about coverage against more talented opponents.
Looking Ahead
The Hogs now turn their focus to Arkansas State in a historic matchup. The in-state programs will meet for the first time on Sept. 9 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, which could mark the Razorbacks’ final appearance at the venue.
Discover more from Inside Arkansas
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.