College Football Week 4 winners, losers: Harsin survives, MSU humbled

College Football Week 4 Loser: Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas showed some cracks in their foundation last week in a scare against Bobby Petrino and his FCS team Missouri State. But, the Hogs seemed to course correct in the first quarter against No. 23 Texas A&M in Dallas at AT&T Stadium.

QB KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks scored 14 unanswered points in the first quarter, throwing crisp 32 and 56-yard touchdown passes.

But the turning point of the game came when Jefferson tried to leap over the offensive line for a touchdown. The Aggies appeared to have anticipated it and were able to punch the ball out of Jefferson’s outstretched hands.

Texas A&M’s defense plucked the ball out of the air and returned it for an 82-yard scoop-and-score to put the Aggies within one after a failed PAT.

If Jefferson, who stands 6’3″ and 242 pounds, stayed on the ground, at worst, it’s second down. At best you get a touchdown because his low center of gravity would allow him to keep the ball where he’s strong.

What should have been a 21-7 score ended up becoming a 14-13 game and the Aggies went on a 23-0 run. Arkansas scored a touchdown late in the fourth to get within two points.

The Razorbacks had a chance to potentially win the game with a 42-yard field goal. However, kicker Cam Little hooked it slightly to the right and hit the top of the goal post, bouncing backward.

There’s a lot Arkansas could have done better in the game, but what a brutal way to lose on a kick like that.