FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas picked up its fourth victory of the season with a 44-20 routing of Florida International at Donald. W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.
“It was nice to get a win for our crowd," Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said. "Coming in from the Hog Walk, they were exceptional and I appreciate the noise. Our fans helped us win the game. I felt like they were a big part of it, and I want to thank them for coming out and supporting their football team.”
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson completed 15 of 28 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Andrew Armstrong led all Hogs in receiving with 67 yards on four catches.
“It started with my teammates, them believing in me and me believing in them," Jefferson said. "Those guys just putting the ball in great spots and let me make plays. Let them be who they are, so extreme shout-out to them. And it’s by the grace of God as well, he’s given me a gift and I’m taking advantage and using it to the best of my abilities.”
Jefferson, who also rushed 15 times for 90 yards, broke the school record for career touchdown passes and passing yards.
In the first quarter, the redshirt senior quarterback connected with wide receiver Jaedon Wilson for a 10-yard score to put the Hogs ahead 7-0.
The touchdown pass gave Jefferson 65 for his career, breaking Brandon Allen's original mark of 64 set during his three-year career with Arkansas from 2012 to 2015.
“It’s almost surreal, it’s a surreal moment just to be able to come here," Jefferson said. "That’s a milestone for me. It was one of my goals to come in and make sure I go down in the record books and make history here. So it was just a surreal moment. Like I said, I just thank my teammates for always believing in me and making plays for me as well, and me just trusting in those guys.”
Florida International answered with two consecutive touchdowns to take a 13-7 lead into the second quarter.
That's when the Razorbacks kicked it into another gear in all three phases.
Following a four-yard touchdown pass from Jefferson to wide receiver Tyrone Broden, the Hogs' defense added to the scoreboard.
With 11:04 left in the second quarter, Arkansas defensive back Alfahiyam Walcott stripped wide receiver Dean Patterson and returned it 33 yards for the Razorbacks' nation-leading fifth defensive touchdown of the season.
In the victory, Walcott became the first Razorback defender with two interceptions, including an interception return for a touchdown, in a game since Chris Houston in 2006.
Arkansas kicker Cam Little added three points on a 31-yard field, and running back Dominique Johnson took a 31-yard run to the house to give the Hogs a 31-13 lead at the half.
Johnson's second-quarter touchdown was his first since 2021, when he led the team with seven rushing scores. His teammate, running back Isaiah Augustave, recorded a game-high 101 rushing yards on 14 carries for a Razorback offense that finished with a season-high 510 total yards and 323 rushing yards.
“[Johnson] made the most of it," Jefferson said. "I was extremely proud. I mean the whole team was. With the adversity he’s faced with his injury and him continuing to battle and keep fighting, it was a surreal moment for him as well. The whole team was extremely proud of him as well.”
Arkansas limited Florida International's offense to 341 total yards and seven points in the second half.
Linebacker Antonio Grier led the Hogs on defense with six total stops and three solo tackles, while linebacker Jordan Crook and defensive lineman Landon Jackson each tallied a sack.
“They came out and they did a little bit of some different stuff that we weren’t expecting," Jackson said. "This scheme, they didn’t put a whole lot of it on film. I mean, we made adjustments and did really well after those adjustments were made. We’ve just got to execute on those plays.”
The Razorbacks wrap up the regular season against Missouri on Nov. 24. Coverage from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium begins at 3:00 p.m. Central on THV11.
“l you know it’s a rivalry game, and they’ve got a really, really good team," Pittman said. "We’ve got a lot of respect for their program. I think in a rivalry, you never know what happens. We’ll have our kids prepared and I know they will as well. I’m excited about having the opportunity to play them.”