BYU defeats Arkansas 38-31

Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes.

The BYU Cougars (3-0) have handed Arkansas (2-1) their first loss of the season, 38-31. The biggest takeaway from this one was the amount of mistakes made by the Hogs.

Arkansas was flagged 14 times for 125 yards in the loss. Five of those penalties came on the final drive of the game, which ended in KJ Jefferson being hit as he threw the ball.

Much like last season, this game was a back-and-forth affair. Arkansas jumped out to a 14-0 lead after AJ Green ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run and Isaiah Sategna took a punt return 88 yards. To BYU’s credit, they answered. The Cougars scored 21 unanswered to take the lead midway through the second.

The Hogs would put together a solid drive late in the second quarter to tie the game when KJ Jefferson found Luke Hasz for his first career touchdown reception. On the ensuing Cougar possession, Arkansas recovered a BYU fumble in field goal range. Cam Little’s field goal gave Arkansas the 24-21 lead at halftime.

After halftime, Arkansas seemed to be hitting on all cylinders as the offense was able to build another double-digit lead, 31-21. Unfortunately, things would turn in favor of BYU following a failed conversion on 4th and 1 by the Hogs.

The Cougars would go on to score the final 17 points of the game and score the upset win, 38-31.

KJ Jefferson finished 24-35 passing for 247 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Andrew Armstrong led the way with 9 catches for 98 yards, while Hasz finished with 4 grabs for 78 yards and a touchdown. AJ Green led things on the ground with 9 carries for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Things don’t get much easier for the Hogs as they head to Baton Rouge to face LSU next weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on ESPN.