Jefferson generates 4 TDs to power Arkansas past Cincinnati

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson felt disrespected when he wasn’t named to any preseason all-Southeastern Convention workforce.

Jefferson’s opening week efficiency may earn extra consideration for the participant who had the SEC’s second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio final yr and was the main returning rusher on the place within the convention..

Jefferson threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns and ran for one more 62 yards and a rating to steer No. 19 Arkansas to a 31-24 win over No. 23 Cincinnati on Saturday.

“Appears to me like when the sport will get somewhat tighter, somewhat nearer, when he’s actually acquired to take over the sport, he’s acquired the knack to do it,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman mentioned. “Appeared to me like most each time we want him to win the sport, he makes some form of play.

Jefferson established himself as escape-artist of types final yr, his 240-pound body proving tough to take down. Little modified there as most of his yards on the bottom got here after contact towards Cincinnati. By way of the air, he constructed a rapport with tight finish Trey Knox who caught two of the three landing tosses, together with one which was fairly actually a toss: a jump-pass from 5 yards to provide Arkansas a 14-0 lead at halftime.

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Cincinnati’s Ben Bryant, a switch from Japanese Michigan, in the end threw for extra yards passing (325) and only one fewer landing, however an interception on the Arkansas 20 was a Razorbacks rating on the following possession.

The choose was considered one of a number of errors the Bearcats made. 4 of Cincinnati’s first-half drives led to Arkansas territory, however the interception halted one and Ryan Coe missed two subject targets, together with one from 25 yards, as effectively.

Cincinnati had pulled inside a landing on Bryant’s throw to Nick Mardner midway via the third quarter after which recovered a Jefferson fumble inside his personal 10 on the following play. The Bearcats began three yards from the tip zone, however 4 penalties later, together with two for delay of sport, they managed only a 25-yard subject purpose.

Arkansas adopted with a 32-yard subject three minutes later and Jefferson threw his third landing on the possession that adopted, a 32-yarder to Knox, to rebuild the result in 14 factors.

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Knox, a senior, was a beginning large receiver his freshman yr and had 28 catches and three touchdowns, however had simply seven catches his sophomore season in Pittman’s debut 2020 season. He moved to tight finish and caught 20 balls as a junior final season. Saturday he had six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s labored onerous at tight finish and he believes he’s a decent finish. He’s. He’s a very good one,” Pittman mentioned. “Coming off the sphere on his second TD and went down their facet and I mentioned ‘You cheerful you moved to tight finish?’ These are particular moments since you by no means know if it’s going to work out.”

The sport was Arkansas’ first Prime 25 matchup at dwelling since 2016.

The Razorbacks have been 9-4 final season, their greatest end since 2011 .

“When Cincinnati was placed on the schedule I used to be saying ‘why?’ to be trustworthy with you,” Pittman mentioned. “Am I tickled to loss of life that we’re 1-0 and we beat Cincinnati? Sure. I don’t wish to play them. We’ve already performed them as soon as. That’s a lot.”

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THE PORTAL GIVETH

Most of Arkansas’ massive performs not involving Knox and Jefferson got here from gamers picked up by way of the switch portal. Domineck (Georgia Tech) and Drew Sanders (Alabama) had sacks. Dwight McGlothern (LSU) had Arkansas’ interception. Matt Landers (Toledo) began and caught three passes for 43 yards whereas Haselwood (Oklahoma) had three grabs for 42 yards and the rating.

BEAT UP

Cincinnati’s rally got here largely due to the passing sport. Bryant took benefit of Arkansas shedding beginning nickel Myles Slusher and beginning security Jalen Catalon late within the second quarter and early within the second half.

The Bearcats’ first landing got here instantly after Catalon, a preseason first-team All-SEC choice and former freshman All-American, left the sport.

Pittman mentioned Slusher needs to be OK going ahead, however he was much less certain about Catalon. He didn’t disclose both damage.

THE TAKEAWAY

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Arkansas’ offense, with Jefferson at quarterback, is SEC worthy. The protection struggled within the second half after shedding two starters from the secondary.

Cincinnati had the expertise to win the sport, however its errors have been too plentiful towards a high quality opponent.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Arkansas ought to discover itself comfortably nonetheless ranked forward of its SEC opener subsequent week.

Cincinnati is more likely to fall out of the Prime 25 regardless of a good exhibiting.

UP NEXT

Arkansas opens SEC play towards South Carolina at dwelling in Week 2. The sport will probably be South Carolina’s first in Fayetteville since 2013.

Cincinnati will host FCS opponent Kennesaw State at Nippert Stadium.

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