Image – Southeastern Conference
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas never trailed against Tulsa and recorded its first win against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in 385 days with a 34-6 victory against the Golden Hurricane on Saturday night.
Arkansas snapped its program-record 12-game losing streak against Tulsa at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks (2-2) entered the game with the nation’s third-longest active losing streak among FBS teams behind Charlotte and Purdue, who have each lost 13 games in a row.
Following back-to-back blowout losses to Utah and Georgia, Arkansas defeated Tulsa (3-1), who came to Fayetteville after a strong start to the season. The Razorbacks outgained Tulsa 441-241 in total offense and won the turnover battle 2-1.
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jackson completed 24 of 36 passes for a career-high 309 yards, a touchdown and 1 interception. Razorback receiver Chris Marshall was Jackson’s favorite target again. Marshal caught nine passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.
Marshall’s 195 yards gave him the seventh-highest single-game total by an Arkansas player. It was the most yards since Treylon Burks caught 10 passes for 206 yards at Missouri in 2020. Marshall has 331 receiving yards in the last two games.
Jackson also used his feet to help the Razorbacks defeat the Golden Hurricanes. He ran 10 times for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns. He scored on runs of 10 and 11 yards.
Jackson’s 11-yard run on third down gave Arkansas a 32-6 lead with 5:44 remaining in the game. Running back Sutton Smith successfully reached the end zone on the ensuing two-point conversion.
The Razorbacks successfully moved the ball down the field at will for most of the night but often were stopped in the red zone. Arkansas placekicker Max Gilbert was successful on field goals from 23, 35 and 29 yards in the first half before a 38-yarder early in the fourth quarter on drives that started deep in Tulsa territory.
Gilbert’s 23-yard kick capped a long opening drive for Arkansas with 8:48 to go in the first quarter. After the Razorback defense forced Tulsa to punt on its first possession, Jackson finished a five-play, 60-yard touchdown with a 10-yard touchdown run.
Arkansas’ first touchdown drive included a 44-yard pass from Jackson to Marshall on third-and-8 that went to the Golden Hurricane 14. That was the second-longest catch of the game for Marshall, who added a 50-yard reception in the second quarter to set up Gilbert’s second field goal that gave the Razorbacks a 13-0 lead.
Gilbert’s 29-yard field goal gave Arkansas a 16-0 lead at halftime.
Both teams punted on their opening drives of the second half before Tulsa quarterback Dexter Williams led the Golden Hurricane’s only scoring drive of the game.
Williams completed three passes before a 15-yard keeper set Tulsa up with first-and-goal at the Arkansas 1. Golden Hurricane running back Damari Alston scored on a 1-yard touchdown run before a failed two-point conversion kept the score at 16-6.
Tulsa’s onside kick was unsuccessful the ensuing onside kick which Razorback linebacker Jeremy Evans recovered at the Arkansas 49. Jackson found Marshall again, this time for 28 yards on third-and-10 to the Tulsa 23. Two plays later they connected again for a 20-yard touchdown.
Arkansas’ final two touchdowns were set up by turnovers. Linebacker Ben Bogle recovered a Williams fumble that was forced by defensive lineman Antonio Sandel-Bascomb at the Arkansas 42 late in the third quarter. Bogle’s fumble recovery set up Gilbert’s fourth field goal.
The final Razorback score was set up by cornerback Shelton Lewis, who stripped and recovered a fumble at the Arkansas 49. Tulsa tight end Chris Gacayan had a 23-yard catch before Lewis took the ball away.
Williams completed 20 of 32 passes for 176 yards for the Golden Hurricane. Williams, who began his career at Indiana, started his second game in place of injured starter Baylor Hayes (sprained knee).
Arkansas won the rushing battle against Tulsa. The Razorbacks rushed 43 times for 132 yards, and Tulsa rushed 23 times for 65 yards.
Notes
Arkansas won its 20th consecutive game against Tulsa to improve to 56-13-5 in the overall series. The series was played annually with the exception of one year between 1933 and 1990 but has only been played six times since 1993.
The Razorbacks will return to the Golden Hurricane’s Chapman Stadium next season before another meeting in Fayetteville in 2029.
Arkansas has played more games (74) against Tulsa than any team that is not currently in the SEC. The Razorbacks have faced Texas A&M 82 times and Texas 81 times.
Next Up
Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) is scheduled to face Texas A&M (2-2, 0-2 SEC) at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, October 3, in College Station. The Aggies will likely fall out of Sunday’s AP Top 25 after back-to-back losses to Kentucky and LSU.
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