Another year, another 3-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. It’s difficult to narrow down the things I didn’t like to just 3. On the other hand it was tough to gather 3 things I even liked.

It’s pretty simple to state what happened during this blowout loss in Starkville, Miss. Poor coaching, lack of motivation and execution issues were just a few of the things going on with this Razorback team.

Questions abound for head coach Sam Pittman and his program. How do they correct the issues? There were not many answers as Arkansas left Davis Wade Stadium.

Here’s what I liked from the Razorbacks:

Malik Hornsby

How about that answer in his first extensive action as a Razorback. Honestly, with junior KJ Jefferson sidelined, Hornsby should’ve started. Instead Pittman went with journeyman Cade Fortin.

Arkansas started the day with two short possession and very quickly found themselves behind, 14-0. Once Hornsby was inserted in the game the offense quickly opened up with his athletic ability.

Hornsby finished the game with 234 yards passing on 8-of-17 passing, for a quarterback rating of 98.2. His performance energized the Razorbacks but it wasn’t enough to catch back up with the Bulldogs’ Air Raid offense.

Was it a mistake by Pittman to start Fortin? Perhaps. With a talent like Hornsby available, a coach cannot squander opportunities.

Perhaps a dual-threat quarterback’s potential is unclear without practice-field repetitions. It’s fine to be cautious when it comes to the depth chart. However, Hornsby displayed he is the second best option and possible future after Jefferson’s eligibility expires. There’s no reason to waste pure talent.

An all-time tackles record for Bumper Pool

Senior linebacker Bumper Pool has had disappointing moments but he has been a constant in the middle of the field during his career. He has missed a few tackles this season but overall Arkansas has been lucky to have a kid that is all Hog.

In a time when Arkansas was at a low ebb, Pool displayed pure toughness, loyalty and leadership when he could’ve gone elsewhere.

The graduate of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, recorded his 409th career tackle as a Razorback midway through the 3rd quarter. Pool still has at least 6 games left in his career to build on his record.

Resiliency not enough

The Razorbacks again displayed resilience but once again found themselves in too deep a hole to recover.

Whether it be play-calling, execution of the offensive script in the first few drives or anything else, things haven’t gone Arkansas’ way the past 4 games. Which has resulted in a 3-3 record (1-3 in the SEC).

One thing appears certain: This team won’t accept fate and lay down as happened during the previous Chad Morris era.

Here’s what I disliked in Arkansas’ loss:

Missing out on interceptions

Arkansas missed on two opportunities to force interceptions in the end zone during the first half. One came on a diving attempt by Simeon Blair. Then, a pass went right through the hands of Malik Chavis, tipped but caught for a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone.

Arkansas defenders got their hands on passes but couldn’t convert them into turnovers. When an opposing quarterback throws nearly 50 times, his team must pay when momentum changes present themselves for the defense.

Rush 3, drop 8

A defensive philosophy that helped Arkansas defeat Mississippi State the past 2 seasons didn’t work well enough on Saturday. Eleven Bulldogs receivers combined to average 12.7 yards a catch.

It should not have been too much of a surprise. Arkansas has struggled mightily all season in defending passed and making subsequent tackles in the open field.

Arkansas brought pressure once on Saturday, even though defensive coordinator Barry Odom’s group entered the game No. 2 in the country in sacks. It’s not a recipe for success to rush 3 when you’re struggling to stop the pass. Mississippi State coach Mike Leach has adjusted. Odom should have as well.

Football IQ

AJ Green bobbled the 2nd-half kickoff after Arkansas found some momentum at the end of the 2nd quarter. Down 21-10 to begin the 3rd quarter, Arkansas had every intention to keep the heat coming and stay in the game but simple mistakes disrupted the flow of momentum.

Hornsby missed a sure touchdown when he overthrew a wide-open Bryce Stephens. With a little touch on the pass the Hogs  could’ve pulled within 7 in the 3rd quarter.