A Late Fumble, a Familiar Collapse: Arkansas Lets Another One Slip Away

For the second week in a row, Arkansas had a chance to close out a win. And for the second week in a row, a late-game collapse cost the Razorbacks.

Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the Hogs fumbled on their final possession and then failed to make one last defensive stop. Memphis backup quarterback Arrington Maiden ran for a first down that sealed a 32-31 victory.

This was not simply a matter of luck or scoreboard quirks. Memphis played with toughness, physicality, and sharp coaching, executing when it mattered most.

The defeat dropped Arkansas to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in SEC play. Memphis, meanwhile, improved to 4-0, handing the Razorbacks a stinging nonconference loss.

Hot Start for Arkansas

Arkansas came out of the gate strong. On the opening play, Taylen Green recovered from a six-yard loss and quickly connected with O’Mega Blake for a 16-yard gain to move the chains. Two plays later, Green launched a deep pass to Rohan Jones, who sprinted 62 yards for a touchdown. Scott Starzyk’s extra point boosted the Razorbacks’ lead to 7-0 just over a minute into the game.

Memphis responded with a measured drive of its own. Quarterback Brendon Lewis used his mobility to extend plays, including a key third-down completion to Cortez Branham Jr. The Tigers stalled inside Arkansas territory, but Gianni Spetic’s 38-yard field goal trimmed the lead to 7-3.

Arkansas’ following possession ended in a punt, and Memphis answered with a three-and-out. The Razorbacks looked to regain momentum, but Green’s pass was intercepted by Jaidyn Denis at the Memphis 29-yard line. The Tigers capitalized on the turnover, executing a long drive highlighted by a 21-yard rush from Greg Desrosiers and two significant completions to Brady Kluse. Lewis capped the series with a four-yard rushing touchdown, putting Memphis ahead 10-7 late in the first quarter.

Arkansas struck back quickly before the quarter ended. Braylen Russell powered through for a 23-yard run, setting the stage for more offensive fireworks in the second quarter.

Razorbacks Surge in the Second Quarter

Russell carried the momentum forward, bursting up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, restoring Arkansas’ lead at 14-10.

After a Memphis punt, Taylen Green orchestrated another drive, connecting with CJ Brown for 21 yards and then following up with a 16-yard run from Mike Washington. Rohan Jones capped the series with a five-yard jet sweep touchdown, stretching the Razorbacks’ lead to 21-10.

Memphis looked poised to respond after a 33-yard sprint from Sutton Smith, but Gianni Spetic’s 46-yard field goal attempt sailed wide. Arkansas could not capitalize and punted, but the defense quickly swung momentum back. Miguel Mitchell intercepted a trick-play pass, and just two plays later, Green found Jaden Platt twice, including a powerful stiff-arm run down to the one-yard line. Washington finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge, extending the lead to 28-10.

Despite trailing, Memphis refused to give in. Sutton Smith exploded for a 17-yard gain on a key third down, and Brendon Lewis followed with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Cortez Branham Jr. with just 36 seconds left in the half. The quick score cut Arkansas’ lead to 28-17 and gave the Tigers new momentum heading into the locker room.

Memphis Fights Back in the Third

Memphis’ defense came out strong after halftime, forcing Arkansas into a quick three-and-out. The Tigers took over and methodically moved 30 yards, with Brendon Lewis using his legs and a short pass to Greg Desrosiers to keep the chains moving. Gianni Spetic then drilled a 47-yard field goal, cutting the Razorbacks’ lead to 28-20.

Arkansas briefly regained momentum when Taylen Green connected with Rohan Jones on a 40-yard pass. But after Mike Washington was dropped for a loss, the Hogs had to settle for a 46-yard field goal from Scott Starzyk, pushing the lead to 31-20.

Memphis responded almost immediately. Lewis found Marcello Bussey for 40 yards and then capped the drive with a short rushing touchdown. The Tigers’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 31-26.

Green continued to find his rhythm through the air, connecting with Jalen Brown for 40 yards and O’Mega Blake for 15 more, but Arkansas could not add any points before the third quarter came to a close.

Costly Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter turned into a battle of resilience and heartbreak for Arkansas. Early in the period, Taylen Green threw an interception, but the Razorbacks briefly regained hope when Julian Neal picked off Brendon Lewis and returned it deep into Memphis territory. Arkansas had a prime opportunity to extend the lead, yet a nine-yard sack derailed the drive and forced a punt.

That error changed the course of the game. Backed up at their own six-yard line, Memphis responded immediately. Lewis scrambled for 22 yards, and Sutton Smith exploded down the field for a remarkable 64-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers ahead for the first time since the opening quarter at 32-31.

Arkansas still had life. Mike Washington broke off a 17-yard gain to push the ball into Memphis territory, setting up a potential game-winning drive. But with just over a minute left, disaster struck. Washington fumbled, and linebacker Chris Bracy recovered for the Tigers. With the Razorbacks out of timeouts, backup quarterback Arrington Maiden sealed the victory with a first-down conversion before Smith ran out the clock.

Two Halves, Two Different Teams

It felt like Arkansas played two completely different games in a single afternoon. The first half showcased the Razorbacks’ offensive firepower. Quarterback Taylen Green threw for 174 yards and a touchdown, while the running game added 103 yards. Mike Washington finished a rapid four-play drive late in the half with a one-yard plunge, giving Arkansas a 28-10 lead with just 1:35 left on the clock.

By halftime, however, the momentum had shifted. Over the final 30 minutes, Arkansas managed only three points, unable to sustain the early dominance.

Missed Chances and Costly Mistakes

The late fumble was not Arkansas’ only setback. The Razorbacks generated 500 yards of total offense but gave up 489 to Memphis, including 290 rushing yards. Taylen Green completed 18 of 34 passes for 325 yards, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions, while adding 31 rushing yards. Arkansas managed just three of 11 on third-down conversions and was penalized seven times for 55 yards.

Meanwhile, Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis went 15 of 30 for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception, adding 103 rushing yards and two scores. Running back Sutton Smith torched the Razorbacks for 147 yards on 13 carries, including the game-winning 64-yard sprint down the sideline.

In the final stretch, the Tigers scored 22 of the game’s last 25 points, with Smith’s explosive run sealing the victory.

Defensive Struggles Continue

Defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes Jr. stood out for Arkansas, recording two sacks and bringing his season total to five in as many games.

Still, the Razorbacks’ defense struggled, allowing 290 rushing yards, with Sutton Smith’s long sprint ultimately sealing the game. Brendon Lewis added 103 rushing yards to his 199 passing yards, repeatedly exploiting Arkansas with explosive plays.

“We’ve Got to Get to Work”

The loss marked another one-score setback under Sam Pittman, who now holds a 7-19 record in such games over six seasons. Many of those defeats, including last year’s 39-31 double-overtime loss to Oklahoma State, followed a familiar script. Criticism surrounds the program, but Pittman remained focused on solutions.

“We tried to fix some things defensively from a week ago,” Pittman said. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know how much we got fixed, with 500 yards on us. Offensively, we had opportunities and didn’t capitalize. We wasted points.”

Arkansas now sits at 2-2 and faces a challenging stretch. The Razorbacks return home to host No. 24 Notre Dame next Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, with national coverage on ABC. Trips to Knoxville and a three-game homestand against Texas A&M, Auburn, and Mississippi State loom next, putting Pittman’s squad to the test.