Razorbacks Outscore Bulldogs For 45-31 Victory

Saturday, November 17

Fayetteville, AR

1:00 p.m.

Mississippi State

6-5 , 3-4

University of Arkansas

7-4 , 3-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Mississippi State

Arkansas

Razorbacks Outscore Bulldogs For 45-31 Victory

November 17, 2007 | Football

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Despite Mississippi State's largest offensive day in five years, an equally-potent Arkansas offensive output, coupled with Bulldog turnovers, led the Razorbacks to a 45-31 victory over visiting Mississippi State Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium.

With the win Arkansas improved to 7-4 overall, 3-4 in the Southeastern Conference. State fell to 6-5, 3-4. It marked the ninth consecutive win in the series for the Razorbacks who now own a 12-5-1 advantage over the Bulldogs all-time.

The Razorbacks built a 24-7 hafltime lead Saturday and though State never gave in - outscoring UA 24-21 in the second half - those three Arkansas touchdowns were enough to preserve the victory. For the game, the Bulldogs outgained the Razorbacks offensively, 501 yards to 429.

MSU broke scoring ice on the third possession of the game, driving 80 yards on 15 plays. The march was capped by Wesley Carroll's 4-yard touchdown pass to Jamayel Smith with 7:56 to go in the first quarter and that would be the only points of the period. Smith and Carroll would both end the afternoon with career numbers. Smith grabbed 10 receptions for 208 yards (most by a Bulldog since 1982) and two scores. The true freshman Carroll completed 29-of-51 attempts for 421 yards (most by a Bulldog since 1994) and four scores, but would also suffer four interceptions.

Arkansas took control of the game in the second quarter, scoring 24 unanswered points to lead 24-7 at halftime. After an early field goal in the period cut the MSU lead to 7-3, the Razorbacks took the lead on a seven-play, 79-yard drive which ended with Dick's first touchdown connection of the day, a 30-yard strike to Farod Jackson. UA led 10-7 with 10:44 to go before intermission.

While holding the Bulldog offense in check, Arkansas would manufacture two more scores in the final 5:01 of the first half. After State was forced to punt deep in its own territory, UA's Jerell Norton returned to the Bulldog 35. On the Razorbacks' first play of the ensuing possession, Dick hooked up with receiver Robert Johnson on a 35-yard pass and UA led 17-7.

After holding State on three downs on the next drive, a short punt would give Arkansas great field position once again, this time at its own 45. On a third-and-16 play from the MSU 19, Dick spotted Marcus Monk for his third touchdown of the day and the Hogs led 24-7 at the half. Dick ended the day a very efficient 14-of-17 for 199 yards and four scores through the air.

The second half featured a scoring frenzy both teams, including two touchdowns by each squad in the fourth quarter.

After the Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 24-10 early in the half, Arkansas answered when Dick found star running back Darren McFadden for a 57-yard scoring pass for his fourth passing TD of the afternoon. The Razorbacks' normally rush-happy offense featured a very balanced attack Saturday, passing for 223 yards and rushing for 206.

State got back to within two scores at the 3:17 mark of the third period. Derek Pegues' 37-yard punt return to the UA 35-yard line setup the next play, a 35-yard scoring strike from Carroll to Tony Burks. The Hogs led 31-17.

Arkansas extended the lead again with 9:44 to go in the contest, but this time it was McFadden exhibiting the passing skills for the Razorbacks. The UA star found Johnson for a 24-yard touchdown to put UA up 38-17.

But State just would not give in to the Arkansas charge. On the second snap of the next drive, Carroll found Smith again, this time on an 80-yard aerial and the Bulldogs were right back in the game again, down two scores with 9:26 to go in regulation.

After MSU got exactly what it needed on the drive by stopping the Hogs on three downs and forcing a punt, the proverbial nail in the coffin would come when UA's Antwain Robinson picked off Carroll and returned the ball 30 yards for a score and a 45-24 Arkansas advantage.

With time not on its side, State still managed to punch in another score before the horn. The Bulldogs drove 60 yards on nine plays and Carroll found Jason Husband for a 19-yard score.