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Green's MVP performance propels Arkansas to Liberty Bowl win

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Arkansas (7-6, 3-5 SEC) won its final game of the 2024 season with a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday behind a strong performance by quarterback Taylen Green.

The redshirt junior, who just wrapped up his first season with the Razorbacks, finished the game with 422 yards of total offense — 341 through the air and 81 on the ground. He ended the game tied with running back Rodney Hill as the Hogs' leading rusher in the game and Green was named Liberty Bowl MVP for his efforts.

"I think it was a fast start," Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said after the game. "(The defense) made a fourth down stop and then really the offense took over. Taylen took over. We have Taylen Green, a lot of teams don't and it gives us opportunity to win."

The Razorbacks started the game firing on all cylinders and scored on each of their first three possessions. Green was a key cog in that machine, as he scored the first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard rush. He followed that drive up by showcasing his arm with passes of 17 yards and 56 yards to wide receiver Issac TeSlaa, which set up a touchdown run by running back Braylen Russell on the goal line.

Touchdown No. 3 of the first quarter came on a slant route to redshirt freshman receiver Dazmin James, who caught Green's pass and took it 94 yards to the end zone — the longest pass play in Arkansas program history.

Texas Tech didn't go down without a fight, though. The Red Raiders cut the lead to 24-19 by halftime, and Arkansas needed another spark. Cue Green again, who found running back Tyrell Reed Jr. alone and unguarded for a 43-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.

"(Reed), he’s always ready," Green said after the game. "He’s always in the back learning whether it’s from (Ja'Quinden Jackson) or from (Rashod Dubinion). From (Rodney Hill). He’s always taking things in, asking questions. When he had his opportunity to shine, he made the most of it."

A native of Lewisville, Texas, Green only had one blemish on his stat line, as he was sacked in the end zone for a safety in the second quarter, but Pittman said afterward that a blocking miscue in the backfield led to the miscue.

Green's 341 passing yards broke the previous Arkansas record in a bowl game, which was set by Bill Montgomery, who threw for 338 against Ole Miss in the 1970 Sugar Bowl.

The former Boise State transfer also became the first Arkansas passer to eclipse 300 yards in a bowl game since Brandon Allen threw for 315 yards in the 2016 Liberty Bowl against Kansas State.

"I'm gonna take (the MVP trophy) to my parents' crib," Green said. "Shout out to my mom, shout out to my dad, shout out to my sisters, and we gonna celebrate."

Arkansas football's 2024 season has now come to a close. Up next, the Razorbacks will look to close out transfer portal season strong. Be sure to follow along at The Trough premium message board for updates on the offseason recruiting action.
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It was fun to end the season on a high note

When you look back on 2024 Razorback football was absolutely a step in the right direction. No doubt about that. And it was really fun beating a historical rival in a bowl that has been good to the Hogs through history. But this team was built to be better than 7-6 in my opinion. If 2023 wasn't such a complete disaster, no one would be happy with this. We had some fun times, some really fun wins but we left some wins on the board. 110 percent. It was such an empty feeling leaving Stillwater and leaving Fayetteville all those times with losses. Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Texas AM could have and SHOULD have been wins especially Oklahoma State.

Sam is a fine coach and good for us *right now*. He's a guy that has done a great job dragging this program out of the ditch. But with Pittman you just have to expect some head scratching losses. Some losses where you just have no idea how in the world we dropped those games. Games like Liberty at homecoming in 2022, Oklahoma State, aTm every year etc etc. I just wish there were more big time wins to offset all those games where you were good enough to win but found a way to lose. Coach Pittman has us competitive again, he has improved the reputation of the program tenfold. There's no doubt about that. But if we are wanting to avoid more Oklahoma State type disasters, Pittman cannot be on the sideline. I like him but I hope Pittman steps aside after 2025.

Just my two cents. I don't hate Pittman but we are fooling ourselves if we don't think we can be better.
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