Arkansas
Former Arkansas State star arrested in poisoning deaths
A former Arkansas State football star and Tennessee Titans scout has been arrested in last year’s poisoning deaths of his girlfriend and her unborn child in Nashville, Tenn.
Blaise Taylor, 27, was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and arrested by U.S. Marshals on Thursday night in Utah. Nashville police said Taylor is “alleged” to have fathered the child.
Taylor is accused of poisoning Jade Benning at her Nashville apartment on Feb. 25, 2023. She was rushed to a hospital after Taylor called 911 and reported that she was suffering an allergic reaction.
Benning’s 5-month-old fetus died two days later, and she passed away on March 6 — her 25th birthday — without ever speaking to police.
Following months of investigation by police, scientists and the medical examiner, authorities determined Benning had been “poisoned without her knowledge” after Taylor visited her home.
Taylor was a four-year starter as a defensive back and return specialist at Arkansas State from 2014-17. A captain and first-team All-Sun Belt selection, he set the school record for career punt-return yards (1,151) — returning one for a touchdown in each of those seasons.
Taylor later worked as a scout for the NFL’s Titans for four years before serving as a defensive analyst at Utah State in 2023. Earlier this month, he joined the defensive staff at Texas A&M, where his father, Trooper Taylor, is the Aggies’ running backs coach.
—Field Level Media
Bill Bowden
Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.
The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.
Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.
Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73
BET ARKANSAS (-102).
This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.
What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.
The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.
In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.
PASS.
No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.
BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).
Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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Arkansas
Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Cristina LaRue
Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.
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