Football

10 Things To Know – Texas A&M

Hunter Corneliusen
Hunter Corneliusen September 27, 2024

Arkansas goes back on the road for the fourth time in five weeks to clash with longtime rival Texas A&M in this year’s edition of the Southwest Classic. Kickoff between the Razorbacks and nationally ranked Aggies from inside AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, on ESPN.

1 – The Hogs are off to a 3-1 or better overall start for the third time in five years under head coach Sam Pittman. With a win against Texas A&M, Arkansas would improve to 2-0 in SEC play for the first time since the 2006 campaign and for only the fifth time (also in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2006) since joining the conference ahead of the 1992 season.

2 – RB Ja’Quinden Jackson has made his case as one of the best running backs in the nation with three 100-yard rushing games and three multiple rushing touchdowns performances to begin the year. The Utah transfer, who ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries (3.4 ypc) at Auburn (Sept. 21), has eight rushing touchdowns through Arkansas’ first four games, becoming the fastest Razorback to reach the eight-rushing touchdown mark in a season since 1995. Through four games, Jackson leads the SEC in rushing yards (472) and rushing yards per game (118.0).

3 – Through four games, Arkansas ranks third in the SEC and eighth in the country in total offense. The Hogs are averaging 524.0 total yards per game, including 240.0 rushing yards per game.

4 – Saturday will mark the 81st all-time meeting between the Razorbacks and Aggies, including the 14th at AT&T Stadium. Arkansas leads the all-time series 42-35-3 while the Aggies hold a 9-4 advantage in Arlington.

5 – DB TJ Metcalf, the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week, had a career day in Arkansas’ win at Auburn (Sept. 21), finishing with two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble to become the first Razorback with at least two interceptions, two pass breakups and one forced fumble in a game since 1999. Through four games this season, Metcalf leads the Arkansas defense in total tackles (26), interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (1). Metcalf is one of just two SEC defenders with two interceptions in a game this season, joining Alabama’s Keon Sabb. He currently ranks third nationally in interceptions per game (0.8)

6 – The Arkansas offense averages a time of possession of 33:06 this season. The Razorbacks eclipsed 36 minutes of possession time against Oklahoma State (36:14) and Auburn (36:36), marking the first time since 2017 that Arkansas has had multiple games in which it possessed the ball for over 36 minutes.

7 – Since 2020 (Sam Pittman’s first year as head coach), the Hogs have totaled 53 interceptions in 52 games. Arkansas’ 53 interceptions are the second-most among all SEC teams during that span.

8 – Led by RB Ja’Quinden Jackson’s eight rushing touchdowns, Arkansas leads the SEC and is second in the country in rushing scores (17). Six Hogs have run for at least one touchdown this season.

9 – The Razorbacks have rushed for multiple touchdowns in four consecutive games this season, marking the first time since Sept. 6-27, 2014, when they accomplished the feat against Nicholls, Texas Tech, Northern Illinois and Texas A&M.

10 – Through four games this season, Arkansas has had 88 plays of 10-plus yards after recording 168 plays of 10-plus yards through the entirety of last season. The Razorbacks’ 88 plays of 10-plus yards are the second most nationally.

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