Arkansas football beats Kansas in best bowl game of the season

Arkansas football beat the Kansas Jayhawks, 55-53, in triple overtime. This AutoZone Liberty Bowl was the best bowl game of the season so far.

The Razorbacks started with a huge lead behind turnovers by the Jayhawks’ offense and solid offensive play by the Razorbacks. After the Jayhawks scored on their opening drive of the game, the Razorbacks’ offense would explode, while the Kansas counterpart would struggle (via interceptions, three-and-outs, and one muffed kickoff by Kansas)

This was despite Raheim Sanders going down early in the first quarter with an injury forcing him not to return for the rest of the game. Arkansas’ running game would still be on fire in this one, rushing for around 400 yards for the entire game. The passing offense for Kansas also was a big factor for the Jayhawks, as Daniels threw for 544 yards for the game.

With 5 minutes left in the second quarter, Arkansas took a 31-7 lead, and it seemed like the Razorbacks had a commanding hold on this game. The Jayhawks would score a TD before the end of the half, but it seemed like Kansas’s explosive offense would not be to catch up to Arkansas.

Things would get even worse for the Jayhawks as the Razorbacks would score a TD on their first drive after Kansas would go three and out on the first possession of the second half. Arkansas was up 38-13 and it surely seemed over.

Arkansas and Kansas would exchange punts, as Kansas would ignite the offense to a TD score, only making it a 38-20 game. Arkansas’ offense would punt again and Kansas would score again, this time a field goal, but made it a two-possession in the early minutes of the fourth.

Arkansas’ offense struggled again, but Kansas’ offense couldn’t get going. Lucky for the Jayhawks, the Razorbacks’ offense couldn’t get going, and Kansas still had a chance to win this game. They would finally get things moving, but were unable to score in the red zone as they went for fourth and didn’t get it.

With less than four minutes, all Arkansas had to do was not turn over the ball and run the ball. One minute later, Matt Landers would fumble the ball for the Razorbacks, and Kansas had a small chance to win it.

Very quickly, the Jayhawks’ offense went quickly to work, scoring a TD through the air. They were able to recover an onside kick, giving them a shot to tie the game. With 1 minute left, the Jayhawks went down the field for the score and made the two-point conversion to get us to overtime. From down three possessions, Kansas had sent this bowl game into overtime.

Both teams quickly scored a touchdown in the first overtime, sending us to double overtime. Arkansas would quickly score in double overtime, forcing the Jayhawks to respond. Despite a holding penalty on a first down, the Jayhawks were able to score, sending into a sudden 2-point conversion fight.

Arkansas could have won the game in double overtime, but the Razorbacks were hit with a targeting call on the two-point try from the Jayhawks, giving Kansas a second chance to get the two-point conversion (which they would get).

On what looked to me like a wheel-type route to Rashod Dubinion, the Razorbacks were able to convert the two-point conversion. Kansas would be unable to respond as backup QB Jason Bean would get the ball on a jet sweep-type action (where it was intended for Bean to throw). Bean tried to throw it to the back of the end zone, but couldn’t find anyone, and the Razorbacks had won the Liberty Bowl.

Arkansas football defeats Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl

Very quickly before I get into my deeper analysis of Arkansas football, Kansas had a lot of fight in this game. It was said in the broadcast after the game, but it bears repeating, the Jayhawks were down by an insane amount of points in this one and didn’t give up. While their own turnovers were the reason they were in that situation, it still had to be appreciated that they fought hard.

Arkansas almost blew this one. They had a chance to win this game and allowed the Jayhawks to come back into this game via a Razorbacks’ turnover late in the fourth quarter. I have already given my analysis on this season for the Razorbacks here, but a bowl win at least finished this season off on a high note.

In the long-term view, this season was a disappointment for the Razorbacks. Among other things, turnovers were the reason Arkansas football only finished with 7 wins. Still, the offense (I don’t wanna say bounce back because Kansas’ defense is really poor) looked better than they did in the second half of the Missouri game.

In a season that didn’t go to expectations, at least the Razorbacks won what was the most fun to watch bowl game so far this season.