Arkansas Football: 3 quick thoughts from tough loss to Texas A&M

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Sep 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) runs for a first down during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Arkansas’ defense played well most of the game

While the Razorbacks’ offense sputtered, the defense kept them in the game. Texas A&M had just 151 yards passing in the game. Running back Devon Achane had a big night, but many of those yards came in spurts. If there is one criticism of Arkansas’ defense, they allowed Achane to grind down the clock in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies did not score in the first or the fourth quarter. The Razorbacks had three sacks and pressured Max Johnson all game. Give A&M quarterback Max Johnson credit; he played well in the middle of the game, leading the Aggies to 23 unanswered points after Arkansas scored the first 14 points.

The surprise of the evening was how well Arkansas defended the pass despite having several defensive backs out with injury. It was the run defense that let the Aggies down during the game. Texas A&M got on the board in the second quarter from the strength of a 63-yard run that got the Aggies to the Arkansas 30-yard line.

Achane finished the game with 159 yards and a touchdown in the game. In a game of inches, the one big play hurt Arkansas.

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