Razorbacks rout UAPB 70-0 in 2024 season opener

Hogs score 10 TDs in lopsided clash of in-state opponents

From the University of Arkansas

arkansasrazorbacks.com

LITTLE ROCK — Taylen Green, a transfer quarterback from Boise State, led unranked Arkansas to seven first-half touchdowns on seven possessions, and Arkansas cruised to a 70-0 win over FCS-level Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday night.

Green had 219 yards passing in his one half, going 16-for-27 and two touchdowns. He ran for 88 yards on six carries and two touchdowns, including a 36-yard sideline-to-sideline scramble that ran Arkansas’s lead to 49-0 by halftime.

Arkansas’s new offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks’ head coach from 2008-2011, called on many of the passing routes familiar to Razorbacks fans from his previous stopover. Along with Green’s passing, the Hogs gained 229 yards rushing.

Ja’Quinden Jackson, a portal transfer from Utah, had two rushing touchdowns and gained 101 yards on eight carries. He also had two receptions for 20 yards.

Green found nine different Hog receivers for completions in the first two quarters.

Tyrone Broden had a 9-yard scoring reception from Green, and Ty Washington made a fingertip grab of a soft lob from Green for 23 yards to score. Rodney Hill, another newcomer to Arkansas from Florida State, scored on a 4yard run.

Razorback backups took over as the teams played 10-minute quarters in the second half.

Braylen Russell scored on a 9-yard run, quarterback Malachi Singleton ran in from 4 yards, and Tyrell Reed Jr. plowed through for a 4-yard scoring run in the final minute. Mehki Hagens completed 11 of 23 passes for 123 yards for UAPB.

Off and Running

Arkansas of the FBS Southeastern Conference simply had too much depth and talent for a Southwestern Athletic Conference team picked near the bottom of its FCS league’s West Division. Arkansas scored touchdowns on all 10 possessions, had no turnovers, amassed 687 total yards and had 34 first downs to UAPB’s 10, and in the first half only had to drive on average 61 yards for its scores, including a pair of 40-yard drives.

UAPB didn’t give Arkansas anything, though, never turning the ball over and committing one fewer penalty. The win was Arkansas’s largest over any opponent since a 730 win over Rhodes College in 1928.

What’s Next?

Arkansas moves into FBS competition on Sept. 7, traveling to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to meet Oklahoma State in an 11 a.m. game (ABC-TV).