KJ Jefferson’s four touchdowns lift No. 19 Arkansas past No. 23 Cincinnati, 31-24

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — KJ Jefferson threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 62 more yards and another score to lead No. 19 Arkansas past No. 23 Cincinnati, 31-24, on Saturday.

Jefferson ran for the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter, threw a jump pass touchdown to Trey Knox in the second and found Jadon Haselwood for another score in the third.

Cincinnati was held scoreless in the first half despite four of its seven drives reaching Arkansas territory. Bearcats kicker Ryan Coe missed two field goals, 25 and 48 yards, and Ben Bryant threw an interception at the Arkansas 20 that ultimately turned into the Razorbacks’ first trip to the end zone.

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Bryant was better in the second half, leading Cincinnati to score drives on their first two possessions of the half. But trailing by seven points and with the ball on the Razorbacks 39, he was sacked by Jordan Dominick and Arkansas recovered. Jefferson threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Knox two plays later for his fourth score of the game.

Arkansas running back Rocket Sanders rushed for 117 yards on 20 carries for the second’s second career 100-yard game. Knox caught six passes for 75 yards and both touchdowns.

Bryant, a transfer from Eastern Michigan who wasn’t announced as a starter until before kickoff, was 26 of 43 passing for 325 yards and two touchdowns with just one interception. His 15-yard throw to Leonard Taylor with 5:49 left created the final margin. Jefferson completed 18 of 26 throws for his mark of 223 yards.

KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks heads the ball in the second quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

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TAKE AWAY

Arkansas’ offense, with Jefferson at quarterback, is SEC worthy. The defense struggled in the second half after losing two high school starters.

Cincinnati had the talent to win the game, but its mistakes were too many against a quality opponent.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE SURVEY

Arkansas should find itself comfortably still ranked ahead of its SEC opener next week.

Cincinnati is likely to fall out of the Top 25 despite a fair showing.

KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks heads the ball in the second quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

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NEXT

Arkansas opens the SEC game against South Carolina at home in Week 2. The game will be South Carolina’s first in Fayetteville since 2013.

Cincinnati will host opponent FCS Kennesaw State at Nippert Stadium.