The gap between the SEC’s only undefeated team and the league’s longest intra-conference losing streak proved to be not that big as No. 1 Mississippi State survived a scare with a 17-10 defeat of Arkansas Saturday night.
The Razorbacks’ final pass was into the end zone, as a potentially game-tying 66-yard drive ended with Will Redmond intercepting a Brandon Allen pass to seal the game with 15 seconds to go.
Consider that Arkansas put up 401 yards of total offense, out-rushed Mississippi State 163-128 (and by more than half a yard per carry) took a 10-0 lead in the second quarter and ended its last three drives with a missed field goal, a turnover on downs at the three-yard line, and Allen’s interception, and it’s another sign Bret Bielema has his program doing all the things that will one day lead to victories. It’s also yet another forehead-against-the-wall loss in a season full of them, as the Razorbacks drop to 4-5 overall and 0-5 in league play.
Mississippi State racked up yards - 465 of them, with its final seven non-end-of-half drives moving 44 yards or more - but didn’t click on all cylinders like it did in wins over LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn. Three turnovers (two Dak Prescott interceptions and a muffed punt) had a lot to do with that, plus a turnover on downs to open the second in half.
Prescott completed 18-of-27 passes for a career-high 331 yards, including a go-ahead 69-yard catch-and-run to Fred Ross with 13:21 to go in the fourth quarter. He also rushed 13 times for 61 yards. Josh Robinson continues to be this team’s engine, rushing 19 times for 64 yards and a three-yard touchdown while also leading the team with six grabs for 110 yards.
Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams combined for 31 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown, somehow getting a dozen fewer touches than Allen, who completed 22-of-43 passes for 238 yards and the game-ending interception. Prediction: the game Arkansas wins will be one where Allen doesn’t throw it 40 times. Hunter Henry continued to flash pro potential as a tight end with seven grabs for 110 yards.
Mississippi State moves to 8-0 and 5-0 in conference, taking a break from SEC play with Tennessee-Martin while also taking a peek ahead to Nov. 15’s opponent: Alabama.
Arkansas will take next week off before hosting LSU on Nov. 15.