The Razorbacks jumped out to a 28-7 lead and were never threated by the Red Wolves. Arkansas scored on the second play of the game from scrimmage on a 53-yard run by Mike Washington. Arkansas finished the game with 630 yards of offense including 321 on the ground.
"I'm glad we won and a better bus ride on the way home," Sam Pittman said.
Taylen Green had another big game. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns, but did toss two interceptions. He also led the Hogs in rushing with nine carries for 151 yards and a touchdown. His rushing total was just two yards short of the entire Arkansas State total of 153. Pittman praised Green.
"A lot of times if he's not perfect well think about the two picks," Pittman said. "Obviously we got corrected with his eyes and where to go with the ball after the second quarter. He was outstanding with his legs. When he takes off you know you are going to get a first down and what happens after that is extra gravy."
On Arkansas second possession they went 80 yards in six plays with Green passing 37 yards to Raylen Sharpe for a 14-0 lead with 10:03 remaining in the opening period.
"We had eight players catch passes tonight," Pittman said.
Chauncy Cobb gave Arkansas temporary hope with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
But Green and the offense quickly dashed those hopes when the quarterback ran 64 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage after the Red Wolves touchdown. On first down, Green found Jalen Brown for a 16-yard reception to move the ball to the 36 to set up the long run.
The Hogs took a 28-7 lead on its next possession. Running back Braylen Russell powered in from the 7-yard line dragging Arkansas State defenders in with him with 5:05 still remaining in the opening period.
Arkansas State pulled to within 28-14 when Jaylen Raynor found Cameron Ambrose for a 2-yard touchdown pass.
The Hogs came back to go up 35-14 when Green found Jalen Brown for an 8-yard touchdown. The touchdown completed a 12-play, 83-yard drive that took the two teams into halftime.
Arkansas State got the football to start the second half, but Julian Neal, the outstanding cornerback transfer from Stanford picked off a Raynor pass giving the ball to the Hogs at their own 30. They scored in five plays when Green found tight end Rohan Jones for a 33-yard touchdown. It was Green's first catch as a Razorback and he showed off his speed down the left sideline. The Razorbacks led 42-14 with 11:20 remaining in the third quarter.
On its next possession, Green took the Hogs 86 yards in 11 plays. The drive ended with Green throwing a 14-yard touchdown to O'Mega Blake. Blake once again topped the Hogs with five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
The final score of the game came when KJ Jackson took the second-team offense 99 yards in eight plays. He came in for Green with the ball at the Arkansas one after the defense had stopped the Red Wolves on fourth down.
Jackson was 3 of 3 passing for 70 yards. He got the touchdown on a 6-yard run with 6:16 remaining in the game.
On defense, Xavian Sorey Jr. topped the Hogs with 14 tackles including five solo. Sorey also had 0.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and an interception. Neal had 11 tackles, including five solo, 0.5 tackle for loss, an interception and pair of pass breakups. Stephen Dix Jr. had 10 tackles.
Raynor had a big game against Southeast Missouri last week, but the Hogs kept him in check much of the game. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 125 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. In addition to his kickoff return for a touchdown, Cobb pulled in four passes for 50 yards.
Arkansas (2-0) will be at Ole Miss next Saturday to open SEC play. Arkansas State (1-1) will host Iowa State.
