UPDATE: In a heart-stopping finish, Arkansas fell to Mississippi State 38-35 in a game marred by controversial officiating decisions. The Razorbacks, who led 35-21 with just over 13 minutes left, watched helplessly as the Bulldogs scored 17 unanswered points at Razorback Stadium in front of 68,358 fans.
With the game hanging in the balance, Arkansas faced a staggering 18 penalties for 193 yards, while Mississippi State was only flagged four times for 30 yards. Head Coach Bobby Petrino expressed frustration over the officiating, stating, “There were some things outside of football that hurt us that I can’t quite understand.”
The critical moments unfolded in the fourth quarter when Mississippi State’s Davon Booth scored a 3-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 35-28. Following a defensive stand, the Bulldogs capitalized on a controversial running-into-the-kicker call against Arkansas, allowing Kyle Ferrie to convert a 46-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 35-31 with just over five minutes remaining.
Arkansas struggled to maintain momentum, leading to a crucial series that ended in a punt. Mississippi State seized the opportunity, driving 69 yards, culminating in a game-winning 18-yard touchdown pass from Blake Shapen to Anthony Evans III on a fourth-and-4 play, sealing the Razorbacks’ fate.
Throughout the game, Arkansas showcased its offensive power with 433 yards of total offense, including 239 rushing yards. However, the mounting penalties proved too costly. Petrino highlighted the performance of edge rusher Quincy Rhodes Jr., who tallied 6 tackles, including a sack, stating, “He played great. Very, very hard.”
Despite the loss, Arkansas managed to tie the game at 13-13 in the first half with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Taylen Green to Rohan Jones. Following a series of strong drives, Arkansas took a commanding 28-14 lead, but the momentum shifted as penalties began to derail their efforts.
Mississippi State, now boasting a record of 5-4 and 1-4 in the SEC, celebrated its first conference victory of the season. Meanwhile, Arkansas’ struggles continue, dropping to 2-7 and 0-5 in the SEC. The Razorbacks will have a bye week before heading to play against LSU.
Petrino emphasized the need for reflection and hard work moving forward, stating, “We’ll take tomorrow and come in Monday and watch the video. And then have a couple of good, hard work days.” Fans will be watching closely to see how Arkansas rebounds in their next match.
This game not only impacted the standings but also left fans questioning the integrity of officiating in crucial moments. As the Razorbacks prepare for their next challenge, the spotlight remains on the implications of this controversial loss.
