6 quick thoughts from Arkansas' win over Western Carolina
HawgBeat provides an in-depth breakdown of quick thoughts from Arkansas' season-opening win over Western Carolina.
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Razorbacks routed the Western Carolina Catamounts, 56-13, on Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium to open the 2023 season.
Led by quarterback KJ Jefferson, the Hogs held a 35-3 lead at halftime and that number was built on by the reserves in the second half. Jefferson ended up staying in two plays into the fourth quarter before he was able to rest and backup Jacolby Criswell came in.
Jefferson was 18-of-23 passing with 246 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. The redshirt junior also totaled five carries for 11 rushing yards and one score on the ground.
Plenty of things happened before the game, such as new coming out that TCU transfer defensive back Kee'yon Stewart was arrested Friday morning, defensive back Malik Chavis (hand) didn't make the trip and starting left guard Brady Latham wasn't on the field in pregame warmups. But this story is focused entirely on what we saw during the first 60 minutes of Arkansas football this season.
Here are some general thoughts, takeaways, questions answered and a few other quick-hitters that I had following the game...
Well, how about that defense?
The first half went about as good as you'd want it to for the Arkansas defense. Sure, there was some plays the Hogs want back and some missed assignments, but I'd call it a success.
Arkansas recorded 7.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the first 20 minutes of play.
Linebacker Jaheim Thomas and Landon Jackson each had 1.5 tackles for loss. Hudson Clark and Dwight McGlothern both had interceptions. Jayden Johnson forced a fumble on an impressive open field play and freshman TJ Metcalf picked it up.
Some interesting things I saw included Clark playing the HOG (nickel) position and that's where he made the interception out of. Also, the Razorbacks did go with three defensive ends, one linebacker and six defensive backs on most third downs.
Of course, the Catamounts marched down the field and scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half. Georgia transfer Jaheim Singletary gave up a 40-yard reception on the right side and WCU then punched in a 2-yard touchdown to make it a 35-10 Arkansas lead.
The next Western Carolina drive began with a tackle for loss and ended with a Jayden Johnson toe-tapping interception — the third of the day — on the right sideline. He's got a good case for most improved player from last season...at least after one game.
Highlighting the Razorbacks' first defensive possession of the fourth quarter was a sack for redshirt senior Taurean Carter, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL. The Catamounts ended up punting on that drive.
Overall, the Hogs gave up 291 total yards — 227 through the air and 64 on the ground. The Catamounts averaged 4.2 yards per play in the contest. Arkansas had 10.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, one forced fumble and 2.0 total sacks on the day.
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