Razorbacks rout Western Carolina to begin 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks picked up a commanding 56-13 season-opening win over the Western Carolina Catamounts on Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium.

It only took the Razorbacks (1-0) 1:57 to score as K.J. Jefferson hit Jaedon Wilson on a 65-yard touchdown pass.

With 8:40 left in the opening quarter, Rocket Sanders scored his first TD of the season to make it 14-0.

Thanks to Hudson Clark’s interception, the Hogs were in business once more. The ensuing drive was capped by Jefferson hitting Isaac TeSlaa for a 21-0 lead. Arkansas took a 21-3 lead into the second period.

Dwight McGlothern got Arkansas’ second INT to set up the next scoring drive for the Razorbacks, which ended with Jefferson taking it to the house for a 28-3 lead with 2:56 left before halftime.

Just 12 seconds later, Jayden Johnson forced a Western Carolina fumble, which was recovered by T.J. Metcalf the third takeaway for the Hogs.

On the last play of the first half, Arkansas scored as Sanders scored his second TD as Arkansas went for it on fourth-and-goal. The Razorbacks took a 35-3 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.

After the Catamounts scored to cut the deficit to 35-10, the Hogs responded with Jefferson throwing his third touchdown pass, this one to Andrew Armstrong for a 42-10 lead with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

Johnson got Arkansas its fourth takeaway on an interception late in the period, which saw Arkansas hold a 4210 advantage.

With the reserves playing in the final period, back-up quarterback Jacolby Criswell hit Davion Dozier on a TD pass to make it 49-10 with 7:55 remaining to be played.

Arkansas ended the game with an exclamation point as Brad Spence took a pick-6 85 yards to paydirt.