Mississippi State Runs Past Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Led by a career day from junior running back Kylin Hill, the Mississippi State football team rushed past Arkansas, 54-24, Saturday evening at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 4-5 (2-4 SEC), while Arkansas falls to 2-7 (0-6 SEC).

In total, the Bulldogs compiled 640 yards of total offense, while the defense held Arkansas to 285 yards. Hill capped off the day rushing for a career-high 236 yards on 21 carries. He found the end zone three times. Senior running back Nick Gibson added 129 yards rushing and a touchdown on 12 carries. Graduate transfer Tommy Stevens, who was a surprise start over freshman Garrett Shrader, completed 12-of-18 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 74 yards on on 15 carries.

Senior wide receiver Deddrick Thomas reeled in a team-high 59 yards receiving on two catches. Junior wide receiver Osirus Mitchell made one catch, which was good a 33-yard touchdown reception, while senior tight end Farrod Green made a 3-yard touchdown catch.

Defensively, the Bulldogs held the Hogs to just 101 yards passing. Junior running back Rakeem Boyd was responsible for 114 of Arkansas’ 184 yards rushing. Bulldog sophomore safety Marcus Murphy finished with eight tackles and one interception, which he brought back 32 yards for a touchdown. Junior linebacker Erroll Thompson also tallied eight tackles.

The Bulldogs took a 14-0 lead after the first quarter courtesy of a 4-yard touchdown run from Hill and a 33-yard touchdown reception from Mitchell. A 26-yard field goal from junior kicker Jace Christmann early into the second quarter then made it 17-0.

A 52-yard touchdown run from Boyd put the Razorbacks on the board at 10:24 in the half to make it 17-7.

An Arkansas field goal from senior kicker Connor Limpert was then sandwiched between pair of touchdown runs from Hill, one from two yards out and one from a yard out. Murphy’s interception return gave State a 38-10 lead at the half.

A 3-yard touchdown connection between Stevens and Green opened up the second half scoring to make it 45-10 before Arkansas freshman quarterback John Stephen Jones found sophomore wide receiver Mike Woods for a 11-yard touchdown to make it a 45-17 ballgame after three quarters.

Christmann added three points to State’s lead with a 46-yard field goal with 11:40 in the game to make it 48-17.

A 5-yard rushing touchdown from Arkansas freshman quarterback KJ Jefferson and a 47-yard touchdown run from MSU’s Gibson ended the game’s scoring.

The Bulldogs have an open week next week before hosting Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16.