4 Games that Make You Question the Razorbacks and How They Fix It In 2023

Throughout last year’s football season, Arkansas went 7-6 with one of those games being a bowl win against Kansas. Four out of the seven games that Arkansas won, the Hogs couldn’t seem to keep their foot on the gas pedal in the final quarter or minutes. Here are the 4 games the Razorbacks played that raised question marks heading into the upcoming 2023 season.

South Carolina. Auburn. Ole Miss. Kansas. 

In the 2nd game of the year versus South Carolina, the Hogs had a 35-16 lead over the Gamecocks. With just 7:47 left to go in the 4th quarter, the Arkansas defense allowed for the Gamecocks to score 2 more touchdowns. This caused the score to be 44-30 in the end, with a Razorbacks win of course.

We then skip to the 8th game of the year against Auburn in Jordan-Hare. The score was 38-13 as the Hogs were leading with 5:28 left in the 4th. The Hogs defense would give up 2 more touchdowns before the clock hit all zeros, making the final score 41-27.

On November 19th against Ole Miss, Arkansas would have a controlling lead over the Rebels. Heading into the 4th quarter 42-6, the Hogs would go on to allow 21 unanswered points, making the game final 42-27.

Finally, the last game of the season versus Kansas. The Razorbacks only had to hold on for 3 more minutes, while leading 38-23. The defense allowed 2 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion to send the game into OT. Arkansas would win the game in triple overtime, making them Liberty Bowl Champs. In all of these games, Arkansas gave up an average of 361.5 passing yards.

How the Razorbacks’ Staff Will Improve This Area

The defense last year ranked last or second to last in any category. The Hogs gave up 465.2 yards per game, making that the worst by any Arkansas defense since the year 2000. The staff has changed since last year as Travis Williams takes over at defensive coordinator,

bringing Marcus Woodson as well. Woodson was the defensive backs coach at Florida State from 2020 to 2022. The seminoles ranked 4th in pass defense last year under Woodson, and the previous season before him, they ranked 119th.

Although this is Woodson’s first year at Arkansas, there is much expected from him, as he has been able to turn defensives around. The 2023 football season is looking to improve under coach Woodson and also a veteran in Dwight McGlothern.

Get more details about the 2023 football season.