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Arkansas beats Cincinnati in their first test of the season

By Jonathan Lurensky

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 18: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Eagles 45-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 18: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Eagles 45-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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In what was one of the most interesting games of the day Saturday, Arkansas beat Cincinnati 31-24. KJ Jefferson led the Razorbacks to a victory behind a 223 passing yard performance. Jefferson had 18 completions on the day. The junior threw for three touchdowns. Arkansas needed all the points they could get because this game was a fun scoring battle.

Arkansas beats Cincinnati 31-24 in first test of 2022 season

Despite the game being close throughout, Arkansas always led. In fact, Arkansas led by two scores at the half. Cincinnati struggled to score in the first half behind new starting QB Ben Bryant. Bryant was previously with the Bearcats for three years before transferring to Eastern Michigan last year.

After a very solid year with Eastern Michigan last year, he transferred back to the Bearcats this year. While Bryant and the rest of Cincinnati did struggle to move the ball, special teams were another reason they struggled to put up points. The Bearcats missed two field goals in the first half of the game. Ryan Coe missed a 48 and 25-yarder, while the 48-yard field goal is a little bit excusable (as it is a bit long for a college football kicker), missing a 25-yard field goal is a little rough.

Cincinnati would pick it up in the second half though. The Bearcats would score off their drive on the half. Bryant led Cincinnati on a 12 play, 75-yard drive.  Arkansas would respond with a touchdown of their own, but it was clear this would be a game. Bryant led Cincinnati with their second touchdown of the half on their second drive of the half. Bryant threw 30-yard+ passes to Tyler Scott and Nick Mardner to make the game a one-score game.

Arkansas would fumble on the next play due to a bad snap. With the Bearcats at Arkansas 3, it seemed like this game would be tied. The game would not be tied as the Razorbacks came up with their best defensive possession of the day and made a goal stop. KJ Jefferson would lead Arkansas down the field for the field goal on the next possession to make it a seven-point lead again.

After exchanging punts, Ben Bryant got sacked by Jordan Domineck. Domineck recovered the ball and Arkansas had the ball around the 50. Two plays later, KJ Jefferson threw a touchdown to Trey Knox to take a two-possession lead. While Ben Bryant would led Cincinnati down the field for a touchdown on the next drive, the Razorbacks would win the game by controlling the ball for the rest of the game.

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This is a very nice win for a good Arkansas team. This was an early test for the Razorbacks in a season full of them. While Arkansas will probably roll through a (somewhat good) South Carolina team and Missouri St in the next two weeks, the Razorbacks have to face Texas A&M and Alabama in back-to-back weeks. Additionally, this team faces Ole Miss later in the season. In a season with some tests, the Razorbacks passed their first one against Cinncinati.

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