Quinn Ewers threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 3 Texas‘ defense clamped down on Arkansas‘ final two possessions to help the Longhorns win 20-10 on Saturday.
Ewers’ 1-yard pass to Matthew Golden ended an eight-play, 75-yard drive that provided the Longhorns (9-1, 5-1 SEC, No. 3 CFP) with a two-score lead with 9:05 left. Ewers, who finished 20-of-32 passing, also connected with Golden for the game’s first touchdown.
Ewers entered the game with Heisman Trophy hopes, and though his numbers did not suggest his candidacy getting a boost, he and Texas have bigger goals, coach Steve Sarkisian said.
“When you just don’t have as many opportunities, you’ve got to try to maximize them when you get them,” Sarkisian said. “Him taking care of the football, converting on third downs and what a play … on fourth down to kind of seal the game. I was proud of him for that.”
Arkansas (5-5, 3-4) had an opportunity to take the lead on the possession before Texas stretched its lead early in the fourth quarter as the Razorbacks drove to the Texas 26. The Longhorns’ defense stiffened and Arkansas settled for a 44-yard field goal from Matthew Shipley to trim Texas’ lead to 13-10.
Texas ostensibly sealed its win on Arkansas’ next possession. Taylen Green completed a pass to CJ Brown at the Texas 40, but Brown fumbled and Michael Taaffe recovered for the Longhorns. Ewers converted a fourth-and-2 with two minutes left, allowing Texas to run out the clock.
Arkansas entered the game ranked fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense, averaging 484 yards per game. The Razorbacks punted on six of their first seven possessions and were intercepted on the other and ultimately finished with just 231 yards.
“To beat the third-ranked team in the country, you can’t turn the ball over, or you’ve got to get them,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “And it was two-nothing. That’s what happened.”
Green finished 17-of-25 passing for 149 yards with an interception. Ja’Quinden Jackson, in his first game since Oct. 19 because of an ankle injury, ran for 56 yards on 11 carries and scored Arkansas’ lone touchdown in the third quarter.
Texas tied a season-high with six sacks and set a season high by backing up Arkansas 48 yards on those sacks. The Longhorns had nine tackles for loss, including two each from Jahdae Barron and Alfred Collins, both of whom were responsible for Arkansas’ turnovers, as well. Barron intercepted Green in the first quarter to set up Texas’ first touchdown and Collins’ forced fumble put the game away.
Ewers’ 176 yards were a season low, but Sarkisian praised his efficiency. Eight different receivers caught his 20 completions and six had at least two receptions. Isaiah Bond led the team with four catches for 48 yards.
The Razorbacks dropped their second game in a row and remain one win short of bowl eligibility with two games left.
The Longhorns hardly impressed offensively, but they did enough to get a road win against a traditional rival.
Arkansas hosts Louisiana Tech next Saturday. Texas will also be at home next Saturday, hosting Kentucky.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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