Missouri turns Arkansas fumbles into 34-10 win in Fayetteville
The Tigers converted four turnovers into 24 points while returning Ahmad Hardy to the lineup after his May injury.
By Riya Zhao ·
No. 23 Missouri defeated Arkansas 34-10 on Saturday night in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The victory extends the Tigers' season record to 6-2 and improves their Southeastern Conference standing to 3-2. The Razorbacks drop to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
Missouri held a 13-7 lead at halftime despite its offense failing to score during that span. The momentum shifted in the third quarter. Austin Simmons threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Olugbode. Jamal Roberts followed with a two-yard rushing score. Those plays pushed Missouri's advantage to 27-7 with 9:47 remaining on the clock.
"It was big. It was a swing of the momentum," Roberts said. "We just went on a run. That's something that we like to do on offense, just go on a run."
Turnovers defined the game's outcome. The Tigers recovered three Arkansas fumbles and one interception. Those four plays resulted in 24 points for Missouri. Darris Smith recovered a fumble in the end zone late in the first quarter. That defensive score gave Missouri a 10-0 lead. Simmons finished with 179 passing yards and two touchdowns. Roberts accumulated 158 total yards and two scores, rushing for 138 yards on 23 carries and catching three passes for 20 yards.
All-American running back Ahmad Hardy returned to the field in this contest. He had missed the first seven games of the season after a leg injury sustained in a shooting at an outdoor concert in May. Hardy ran twice in the first quarter for five yards. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz said Hardy was practicing well and had no medical restrictions preventing him from playing. Drinkwitz noted that Hardy's movements in practice indicated his body was ready for game action.
KJ Jackson completed 20 of 34 passes for 229 yards for Arkansas. He also scored on a rushing play. The Razorbacks managed only 59 rushing yards on 36 carries. Simmons threw for 10 more yards to Roberts in the fourth quarter with 7:19 left to set the final margin.
Missouri hosts No. 11 Texas on Saturday, Nov. 7. Arkansas travels to Auburn on the same date.
