Razorbacks Return Home To Host Mississippi State

November 21, 2015

Game 11: Mississippi State | Saturday, Nov. 21 | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Tickets: Buy Now

Arkansas returns home for the final two games of the regular season, beginning Saturday with Mississippi State. Wins in their final two games will give the Razorbacks at least a second place finish in the SEC West and potentially a share of the SEC Western Division title.

The Series
Arkansas leads the all-time series with Mississippi State, 15-9-1, though the Bulldogs have won the past three. The last two games were both decided by one score or less, including the 2013 meeting that went to overtime. Mississippi State hasn’t played in Fayetteville since 2003. In fact, Arkansas is 3-0 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium against Mississippi State. The past five times the Bulldogs have played in Arkansas, the games took place at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

In 2008, Lucas Miller recorded the fourth-best receiving game in Arkansas history when he totaled 10 receptions for 201 yards in the 31-28 loss in Starkville.

The Opponent
Mississippi State has been very effective on both sides of the ball this season. They rank sixth in the SEC in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Led by one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, Dak Prescott, the Mississippi State offense averages 297.1 passing yards per game, good for second in the SEC. Prescott has thrown for 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season, tied for the fewest by a starting quarterback in the SEC this season. Mississippi State did have De’Runnya Wilson, one of their top wide receivers, get injured last week against Alabama. It is unclear whether Wilson will play on Saturday.

The Bulldogs rank fifth in the league in passing defense. They had a recent four-week span where the defense did not allow more than 20 points in a game before that streak was snapped when they gave up a season-high 31 points to Alabama last week. Junior linebacker Richie Brown is tied for 10th in the SEC with 79 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Several defensive backs have two interceptions on the season.

Connections
– Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith was the defensive backs coach on the 2004 Maine team that posted a 9-7 upset victory over Mississippi State in Starkville.
– Mississippi State junior quarterback Damian Williams played at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, La. with Razorback sophomore Henre’ Toliver and Dwayne Eugene.

News & Notes
– Running back Alex Collins was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award this week, given annually to the nation’s top running back.
– Tight end Hunter Henry was named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, the honor awarded to the nation’s top tight end.
– Arkansas leads the SEC with five 200-yard rushing games in conference play and is second in yards per game (204.3).
– The 299 rushing yards against LSU was Arkansas’ most in an SEC game since it had 385 at LSU in 2007.
– The Razorbacks are bowl eligible for the second consecutive season.
– Junior wide receiver Dominique Reed has scored a touchdown in six consecutive games.
– The Arkansas offense has gone three and out on just two possessions since the bye week on Oct. 17. The four-game stretch encompasses 47 total possessions, 30 scores, 201 points, 27 touchdowns, three field goals and just three turnovers.
– Senior quarterback Brandon Allen is just seven touchdown passes away from breaking Ryan Mallett’s school record of 62.