ARLINGTON, Texas – We’re reside from Arlington, Texas the place it is scorching outdoors, however comfy inside the house of the Cowboys the place Arkansas followers have a transparent numbers benefit quarter-hour earlier than kick-off.
Hodges & Smith Recreation Preview
First Quarter
(15:00 1Q, 0-0)
Advertisement
Oh how shortly we neglect how obnoxious these A&M chants will be. So loud. So nonsensical. So inexplicably concerning the Texas Longhorns. Possibly at some point they’re going to replace their materials.
Because the groups take the sphere, Arkansas has clearly outdrawn Texas A&M by a big margin and the Hog followers are WAY louder. When the Aggies have been introduced the boos from Arkansas followers made it inconceivable to listen to A&M followers. Additionally, the early runs with the Hog name are deafening.
There are pockets or Razorback followers sprinkled all through the Texas A&M half the the stadium.
Arkansas takes the opening kickoff and Arkansas has receivers operating free on the primary route. Jefferson finds Haselwood to set the tone up entrance and the Hogs offense is shifting with a little bit of tempo.
On third & 4, Jefferson throw behind Ketron Jackson and the Hogs will finish their first drive in a punt. Max Fletcher’s punt takes an A&M bounce and the Aggies will arrange store at their very own 35-yard line.
Advertisement
As anticipated, A&M coach Jimbo Fisher adopted his conventional sample as Devon Achane ran for 5 on the opening play.
The Arkansas secondary then acquired examined and held up as Aggie QB Max Johnson had nowhere to go and needed to throw the ball away.
The Aggies acquired referred to as for unlawful shift and Pittman chooses to replay second day whereas taking the 5 yards. It was all a wash although as Achane will get the 5 yards again to make it third down the place it could have been anyway.
Large Play Alert
Down goes Johnson! Down goes Johnson! Drew Sanders and Zach Williams swallowed him up after deep penetration for an 8-yard loss. A&M will punt.
Arkansas will take over on their very own 31-yard line.
Advertisement
If the tons of of Hog followers on the concourse finally make their method to a seat, the Arkansas facet shall be primarily full except one spot within the low cost seats.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders picks up the place he left off final week with a tough 6-yard run to set the tone early on this drive.
The primary three carries go to Sanders, together with a 2-yard run on third & 1 for a primary down.
Large Play Alert
KJ Jefferson finds an empty half of the sphere for a simple 26-yard run. He then hits Ketron Jackson within the left flat for a 32-yard landing go as strong blocking opened a gap to interrupt him free.
5 performs, 69 yards (1:43 drive)
Advertisement
Arkansas 7, Texas A&M 0 (1Q, 9:44)
(9:44 1Q, 7-0)
A&M will start its drive with a delay of recreation, shifting the Aggies again to the 20.
Large Play Alert
Welcome again Myles Slusher. The defensive again drags down the operating again for a 6-yard loss.
Arkansas continues to get strain on Johnson to arrange 4th & 1 on the A&M 34. Jimbo Fisher requires the punt workforce.
Advertisement
On a facet be aware, Texas Tech beat Texas in time beyond regulation and stormed the sphere for a second time this yr. So, uh, Alabama = Texas Tech?
(7:32 1Q, 7-0)
Arkansas will start this drive on their very own 23-yard line. If statistical averages for the Aggies maintain up, a drive right here would nearly put the sport out of attain.
Jefferson stated after the Missouri State recreation that he would return to trusting himself operating the ball acquire. That appears to be the case early on.
AJ Inexperienced is now leaving cleat prints throughout Aggie defenders as three straight rushes by the No. 2 again of runs provides Arkansas first down close to midfield.
Advertisement
Large Play Alert
KJ Jefferson finds Warren Thompson on their own DEEP within the A&M secondary with nobody round for a 56-yard landing. The mountain of a QB threw 50 of these yards within the air.
Scroll to Proceed
7 performs, 78 yards (2:07)
Arkansas 14, Texas A&M 0 (1Q, 5:25)
1Q, 5:25 (14-0)
With the way in which these groups are consuming clock, the alternatives to place up factors are ticking away shortly.
Advertisement
Arkansas retains getting strain regardless of Texas A&M making an attempt to depend on the quick passing recreation. Now third &2 from the 33-yard line.
First down go on a bootleg by Johnson is negated by an unlawful shift. That can transfer the Aggies 20 yards again from the place they’d have had it. Bumper Pool, taking part in in entrance of family and friends in his dwelling area for the final time as a Razorback had Johnson grasped to power a foul throw.
A&M has to punt, however it’s muffed by Arkansas, goes into the palms of an Aggie, however is recovered by Quincy McAdoo.
Jefferson completes a go to Thompson on third down with nobody actually open. Max Fletcher will punt whereas standing on his personal 11-yard line.
Texas A&M will take over at their very own 34-yard line.
Advertisement
1:47 1Q (14-0)
The Arkansas secondary continues to carry up on go performs. A&M is ready to get 4 yards from Achane up the center, forcing third & 6.
Slusher is in every single place. He arrives proper because the ball will get to Anaias Smith and knocks it away. A&M should punt.
0:59 1Q (14-0)
Jefferson beats the protection for a 5-yard acquire. That units up the primary carry of the season for Dominique Johnson, a 1-yard acquire.
Advertisement
HOGS FEED:
WATCH: HODGES & SMITH TAKE A LOOK AT EARLY SEC ACTION, LATE AFTERNOON GAMES, WHO CAN GET IN TITLE CONVERSATION
SEC ROUND-UP: HS COACHES SAY HARSIN ABSENT IN RECRUITING, QB DAD DOESN’T HOLD BACK, AND MUCH MORE
TAKING FRESH LOOK AT LAST TIME ARKANSAS, A&M PLAYED EACH OTHER
RAZORBACKS MAY NEED LITTLE EXTRA KICK TO TAKE DOWN AGGIES
JEFFERSON WILL NEED ONE MORE BIG PLAY IF HOGS WANT SHOWDOWN WITH BAMA
Advertisement
HOGS’ DEFENSE NEEDS TO CONTINUE NATION TREND OF KEEPING A&M OFFENSE QUIET
WHAT A&M WRITERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ARKANSAS THIS WEEK
SATURDAY WILL PROVE IF ASSUMPTIONS ON HOGS ARE RIGHT
SEC ROUNDUP: CAN ANYBODY BEAT ALABAMA THIS SEASON?
IF HOG NAMED HEISMAN FINALIST, STROMBERG SHOULD GET TO RIDE SHOTGUN
Advertisement
FINALLY A MATCH-UP FALLS IN HOGS’ FAVOR, DOESN’T GUARANTEE WIN THOUGH
SAM PITTMAN AND EVERYONE ELSE KNOWS WHAT HOGS HAVE TO FIX, AND SOON
SEC ROUNDUP: AUBURN COACH COULD BE LEADING CANDIDATE OUT WEST
SEC SHORTS TRIES TO SOLVE MURDER OF AUBURN TIGERS
THERE IS MUCH THE CURRENT STAFF CAN LEARN, STEAL FROM BOBBY PETRINO
Advertisement
SANDERS AVOIDS RUNNING INTO THE RAZORBACK RECORDS BOOKS SATURDAY AND THAT’S A GOOD THING
A pair of 7-5 teams from the Sun Belt and MAC are set to square off at South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on Dec. 26 as Arkansas State meets Bowling Green in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl.
The game has existed since 1999 and gone by quite a few names, most recently the LendingTree Bowl, and this year’s iteration pits two teams that finished with winning records in conference play against each other.
Former Tennessee coach Butch Jones leads the Red Wolves in his fourth season, and they finished third in the Sun Belt West but suffered blowout losses to Louisiana and Texas State, which finished ahead of them.
The Falcons, led by sixth-year coach Scot Loeffler, finished tied for third in the MAC as they were predicted before the season. After a 2-4 start, Bowling Green strung five wins together in a row, a streak that ended in the final week of the regular season against Miami (Ohio).
Advertisement
A victory in the 68 Ventures Bowl would give Bowling Green its first bowl win since 2014 and the first under Loeffler. It would also mark his first eight-win season and the Falcons’ first since 2015. Jones is also looking for his first eight-win season at Arkansas State, a program that boasts four bowl wins since moving up to FBS in 1992 but none since 2019, before Jones took over.
We’ll see which coach can reach eight wins for the first time at their respective programs when Arkansas State and Bowling Green head to Mobile on Boxing Day.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
Harold Fannin and the Bowling Green Falcons and the Arkansas State Red Wolves play in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The bowl matchup is December 26, 2024, starting at 9 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.
Advertisement
Interested in watching the matchup featuring the Falcons and Red Wolves? You can find it on ESPN.
Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.
USMNT goal filled weekend: Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso & more! | SOTU
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse broke down the United States Men’s National Team’s goal-filled weekend, where Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, and Brenden Aaronson scored for their respective clubs. The guys are excited, as the USMNT players continue to stack strong performances one after another in Europe.
Advertisement
Learn more about the Bowling Green Falcons and the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
How to Watch Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State
When: Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
Live Box Score: FOX Sports
Read More About This Game
Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State Predictions
Bowling Green’s 2024 Schedule
Date
Opponent
Score
8/29/2024
vs. Fordham
W 41-17
9/7/2024
at Penn State
L 34-27
9/21/2024
at Texas A&M
L 26-20
9/28/2024
vs. Old Dominion
L 30-27
10/5/2024
at Akron
W 27-20
10/12/2024
vs. Northern Illinois
L 17-7
10/19/2024
vs. Kent State
W 27-6
10/26/2024
at Toledo
W 41-26
11/5/2024
at Central Michigan
W 23-13
11/12/2024
vs. Western Michigan
W 31-13
11/23/2024
at Ball State
W 38-13
11/29/2024
vs. Miami (OH)
L 28-12
12/26/2024
vs. Arkansas State
–
Bowling Green 2024 Stats & Insights
Bowling Green ranks 87th in total offense (369.4 yards per game) and 32nd in total defense (331.1 yards allowed per game) this season.
Bowling Green ranks 70th in passing yards this year (224.6 per game), but has been thriving on the other side of the ball, ranking 20th-best in the FBS with 181.3 passing yards allowed per game.
The Falcons rank 73rd in points scored this season (26.8 points per game), but they’ve been shining on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 20th-best in the FBS with 20.3 points allowed per game.
The Falcons are totaling 144.8 rushing yards per game on offense this season (83rd in the FBS), and they are surrendering 149.8 rushing yards per game (73rd) on the other side of the ball.
Bowling Green ranks 91st in third-down conversion rate this season (37.5%), but has been playing really well on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 16th-best in the FBS with a 32.3% third-down conversion rate allowed.
The Falcons rank 47th in college football with a +3 turnover margin after forcing 13 turnovers (99th in the FBS) and committing 10 (15th in the FBS).
Arkansas State’s defense has been bottom-25 in total defense this season, allowing 460.7 total yards per game, which ranks sixth-worst. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 66th with 386.4 total yards per contest.
Arkansas State is putting up 227.1 passing yards per game on offense this season (67th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is allowing 234.4 passing yards per contest (96th-ranked) on defense.
The Red Wolves rank 93rd in points per game (24.8), but they’ve been less productive on the other side of the ball, ranking 23rd-worst in the FBS with 32.3 points allowed per contest.
The Red Wolves rank 73rd in rushing yards per game (159.3), but they’ve been less productive defensively, ranking fourth-worst in the FBS with 226.3 rushing yards surrendered per contest.
Arkansas State’s defense has been bottom-25 on third down this season, surrendering a 46.9% third-down conversion percentage, which ranks 12th-worst in the FBS. On offense, it ranks 71st with a 46.9% third-down rate.
The Red Wolves have recorded 19 forced turnovers (43rd in the FBS) and committed 17 turnovers (60th in the FBS) this season for a +2 turnover margin that ranks 54th in the FBS.
Pine Bluff native and Missouri transfer wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield signed with Arkansas on Wednesday.
The former four-star recruit announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal last Thursday and he officially entered last Friday. Crutchfield redshirted this season for the Tigers.
A 6-foot-2, 188-pound pass catcher, Crutchfield recorded 42 receptions for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season at Pine Bluff. He was committed to Arkansas for nearly seven months before eventually signing with Missouri.
Crutchfield will have four years of eligibility remaining. He was rated by Rivals as the No. 2 overall recruit and No. 1 wide receiver in the state of Arkansas in the 2024 recruiting class.