Arkansas waited too long to wake up from three quarters of hibernation against a game San Jose State team that simply wanted it more. Saturday’s 31-24 loss dropped Arkansas to 2-2 for the season, severely damaging any hopes of a possible bowl berth.

Save for a nice fourth-quarter comeback attempt, there wasn’t much to be positive about in this one. But here are three things I liked about the game, and another five things I didn’t like.

Things I liked

1. Not giving up

Despite not showing up for three quarters, the Razorbacks did not give up when down 24-7 and made a nice run at the Spartans — tying the score late in the fourth quarter by scoring on three of four possessions before giving up the winning score in the final minutes. Arkansas drove 80 yards twice in the fourth quarter to knot things up at 24. Unfortunately, the Razorbacks’ defense could not hold off the Spartans on their game-winning drive.

2. Rakeem Boyd’s toughness

Not given much open space to run to, Boyd still managed to grind out 91 yards on 18 carries and played with passion throughout. He rushed twice for 21 yards on the game-tying drive.

Razorbacks running back Rakeem Boyd manages 91 yards on 18 carries in the loss. Photo by: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

3. Leg of Connor Limpert

At least the Arkansas kicker is reliable game in and game out. Limpert delivered on a 48-yard field goal to put Arkansas in position to make a comeback. For the season, he is 6-of-7 on field-goal attempts. He also delivered on the game-tying PAT from 30 yards out after a holding penalty backed him up.

Things I didn’t like

1. Mental toughness

Arkansas wasn’t mentally ready to play this game. Perhaps looking ahead to the Texas A&M game next week? Whatever the reason, Arkansas was sleepwalking through three-plus quarters. Sure, it’s tough to get up mentally for a game against a team you’re supposed to beat handily, but being prepared mentally for every game, every week, is the first step in turning around a program.

2. Defense

The Arkansas defense was practically nonexistent through the first two quarters, especially the pass defense. San Jose State racked up 303 total yards in the first half alone and finished with more than 500. It came into the game ranked No. 93 in the nation in total offense, but the Razorbacks made it look like a juggernaut, giving up 24 first-half points and digging the team into a huge hole it couldn’t get out of.

3. Offensive line

The injury-riddled Arkansas offensive line did a poor job of blocking both the run and pass. It opened up very few running lanes, and Nick Starkel was hit and hurried with regularity. It’s why the Razorbacks could not get anything going when they had the football, at least until a couple of key fourth-quarter drives.

4. Starkel impatience

Sure, the Arkansas QB had little time to pick out receivers, but Starkel made poor decisions on where to put the ball. He had success on the short checkdown passes, but he got impatient and tried to force things downfield, resulting in interceptions — five of them.

5. Dropped passes

The relatively inexperienced receiving corps didn’t do Starkel or Arkansas any favors, dropping many passes and putting the Hogs in long down and distance situations.