Same old song and dance: Ole Miss defeats Arkansas, 27-20

In the same way they lost to BYU and LSU earlier in the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-4, 0-3 SEC) lost to Ole Miss on Saturday night. The No. 16 Rebels (5-1, 2-1 SEC) were able to hand the Hogs their fourth-straight loss on the year, 27-20.

The same issues that have plagued this team for most of the year were front-and-center once again. Putrid offense, double-digit penalties and unforced errors.

After forcing an Ole Miss three-and-out to start the game, the Arkansas offense put together a phenomenal opening drive. It took the Hogs nearly eight minutes and 15 plays to go 80 yards for a touchdown. On the opening drive, tight end Ty Washington had five catches for 56 yards including the drive-ending touchdown as Arkansas jumped out to an early 7-0 lead.

Unfortunately, they wouldn’t find the endzone again until the fourth quarter. KJ Jefferson would find Washington, once again, for an eight-yard touchdown to give the Hogs a 20-17 lead with 13:11 to go in the game.

The Arkansas defense, which had been phenomenal all night, couldn’t slow down the Rebel rushing attack on the ensuing drive. With 7:49 to go, Ole Miss would take a 24-20 lead on a 7-yard rush by Ulysses Bentley IV.

After going three-and-out, the Arkansas offense would have one last chance after their defense held Ole Miss to a field goal with 2:43 left. KJ Jefferson would end up throwing his second interception of the game with 1:42 left. The Rebels would run out the clock with a first down and go on to win, 27-20.

The Hogs finished with 288 yards of total offense and only 36 of them came on the ground. Jefferson finished 25-39 passing for 252 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Ty Washington established himself as the top option at tight end with seven catches for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Andrew Armstrong also had eight catches for 86 yards on the night.

After going the entire game without being penalized last week, Arkansas returned to their usual ways with 10 penalties for 70 yards on Saturday. That includes an inexcusable illegal substitution penalty for having 12 players on the field before a punt return – out of a timeout. Instead of getting the ball back, Ole Miss was able to move the chains thanks to the five-yard penalty.

Things don’t get any easier for Arkansas as they have to go to Tuscaloosa to face No. 11 Alabama next week. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.