Rapid Reaction: Arkansas momentum quickly turns into disappoINTment with loss to San Jose State
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Just when it appeared Arkansas was truly gaining some momentum under Chad Morris, the team delivers the latest terrible defeat since the coach’s arrival in Fayetteville.
There have been worse performances by the Razorbacks under Morris, which is really saying something, but not many. Despite entering the day as a three-touchdown favorite, Arkansas lost to San Jose State 31-24 in Fayetteville to fall to 2-2 on the season.
This result was San Jose State’s first win over a Power 5 opponent since 2006 — the Spartans had lost 25 games in a row to Power 5 opponents entering Saturday.
The difference in this game was turnover as Nick Starkel tossed five interceptions against San Jose State, two of which came in the red zone with the Razorbacks threatening to score. Those turnovers were deflating and played a huge part in Arkansas falling down to a 24-7 deficit heading into halftime.
Starkel finished the game completing 28 of 50 passes for 356 yards with three touchdowns and the five interceptions. San Jose State QB Josh Love finished with 402 passing yards with two touchdowns. Love’s No. 1 target, receiver Tre Walker, finished with 12 catches for 161 yards.
While John Chavis’ defense didn’t do their part early in the game, the unit did hold San Jose State for the majority of the second half, which allowed the Razorbacks to storm all the way back and tie the game at 24 all with 2:55 remaining in the game. But when the defense had to make a stop, they failed to do it, allowing San Jose State to march down the field and score the go-ahead score with 1:15 left in the game.
The question Arkansas fans have to be asking themselves now is where does this program go from here? While this defeat may not define the program, it’s a serious bump in the road with the team heading back into SEC play.
Instead of facing Texas A&M as a 3-1 team, the Razorbacks fall to 2-2 with games against the Aggies, against Kentucky in Lexington, against a top 10 Auburn in Fayetteville, against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and against Mississippi State back home. At this rate, the Razorbacks will be an underdog in all five matchups and could be 2-7 before the Western Kentucky game.
Next week, Arkansas plays Texas A&M in Arlington. The Aggies will be coming off a tough loss at home to Auburn.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
