Razorbacks Run Wild Over Bulldogs in 58-42 shootout

Razorbacks Run Wild Over Bulldogs in 58-42 shootout

Arkansas scores eight touchdowns in victory of Mississippi State

sports@theeveningtimes.com The Arkansas Razorbacks offense caught fire in Starkville as the Razorbacks upset the Bulldogs 58-42 and snapped a four-game losing streak to Mississippi State.

Running back, Rawleigh Williams, III, set the tone for the game early when he broke free through the left side of the line for a 75-yard touchdown on the Razorbacks second play from scrimmage. Mississippi State quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald, wasted no time responding by using his speed to rush for a 58-yard touchdown of his own to even the game at seven apiece.

The Razorbacks answered with a rush by Williams for a touchdown which was set up by a 29-yard pass from quarterback Austin Allen to tight end Grayson Gunter. On the rush, Williams plowed through the middle of the line before laying a stiff arm into a defender and running away to the end zone for 42 yards.

Allen got in on the scoring fun early in the second quarter by finding fifth year senior, Keon Hatcher, in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown, making the score 21-14. Hatcher recorded two touchdowns on four catches for 65 yards on the day.

The Razorbacks began to pull away with 5:33 left in the first half after Williams walked into the end zone untouched for a 7-yard touchdown and made the lead 3114. Williams wasn't done though as he would add a 33yard touchdown to his resume with 1:32 left before halftime. The Razorbacks accumulated 454 yards of total offense in the first half. Much of that yardage came from Williams who carried the ball eight times for 191 yards and scored on four of those carries.

“The holes were huge. It just felt like I was running straight. I didn't have to do too much,” Williams told the Associated Press.

Williams decided to try his hand at passing the ball in the third quarter, finding Austin Cantrell wide open in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown.

Fitzgerald fought hard to keep his Bulldogs in the game, scoring four of his six total touchdowns in the second half. The Mississippi State quarterback ran for 131 yards and four touchdowns as well as passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns. However, the rally fell short as the Arkansas offense refused to be slowed down.

The game was a rematch of last year's matchup which resulted in 101 total points scored and was won by Mississippi State. The Razorbacks got revenge and spoiled the Bulldogs Senior Day in this 100-point contest.

Williams, who's football career was in jeopardy after suffering a gruesome neck injury during last year's game against Auburn, rushed for a total of 205 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman running back, Devwah Whaley, also contributed 112 yards on 19 carries resulting in one touchdown. Quarterback, Austin Allen, finished the day passing for 303 yards and two touchdowns.

After the game, Arkansas Head Coach, Bret Bielema, commented on the huge day by Williams.

“He played with a chip on his shoulder,” Bielema told the Associated Press. “Played with a purpose.”

The Razorbacks improved to 7-4 on the year and 3-4 in conference play. The Bulldogs suffered their seventh loss on the season, falling to 4-7 and 2-5 in the Southeastern Conference.

Arkansas will look to gain their eighth win of the year next week as the Razorbacks travel to Missouri.

By Collins Peeples