Hogs defense forces 7 turnovers in win over Ole Miss

Razorbacks win first home SEC game in four years

arkansasrazorbacks.com FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forced Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral to throw six interceptions as the Razorbacks scored 24 points off seven turnovers in a 33-21 win over Mississippi on Saturday.

Three first-half Rebels’ giveaways helped provide Arkansas (2-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) a 20-0 halftime lead. It was the Razorbacks’ largest halftime advantage in a Southeastern Conference game since 2016, their last winning season.

Corral entered the game second in the league in yards passing and had thrown just one interception through three games for Ole Miss (1-3, 1-3). He threw two touchdown passes against the Razorbacks but had a season-low 200 yards in addition to his six picks.

“We got a talented group.

We have a resilient group and we have a group that can catch passes on defense and return them for touchdowns. (Defensive coordinator) Barry Odom is the real deal,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said.

Ole Miss didn’t punt in the second half, with each of its eight series ending in either a turnover, on downs, or a touchdown.

Two of the three secondhalf touchdowns resulted in the Rebels pulling within a touchdown, but the interceptions resulted in the finish.

“Had we not screwed all that up early, we’re up by three or four scores,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “You can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to win.”

Linebacker Grant Morgan took Corral’s fifth interception 23 yards to the end zone for the game’s final score with 3:07 remaining.

Hudson Clark’s third interception on Ole Miss’ ensuing drive sealed the game.

Feleipe Franks was 21-of-34 passing for 244 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Arkansas.

He threw a 7-yard TD to Treylon Burks, who made a one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone, getting one foot inbounds before falling out. It pushed Arkansas’ lead from six to 12 with 7:36 left.

Jerrion Ealy ran for 112 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown for the Rebels.

Game Notes:

• SEC Streak? — Arkansas has won two SEC games for the first time since 2016. Ole Miss sits at the bottom of the SEC West and has given up the most points in the conference.

• Burks is Back — Arkansas’ sophomore wide receiver Treylon Burks was the most highly touted receiver the Razorbacks landed in recent years. He caught 29 passes as a freshman last year, but didn’t score a touchdown. He broke out against the Rebels with 11 receptions for 137 yards and added another 46 yards on the ground on four carries.

• It’s Been a While — Arkansas’ six interceptions were the most its had since 2003 when the Razorbacks had six against Mississippi State.

• Up Next — Arkansas has a bye next week before playing on Halloween at No. 11 Texas A& M for the first time since 2012. The teams had played their head-to-head games at AT& T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since.

Ole Miss returns home on Saturday to face No. 15 Auburn.

Photo courtesy of UofA Media