FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will have to wait another week to try and secure bowl eligibility as the Razorbacks fell to No. 19 Ole Miss 63-31 on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Hogs (5-4, 3-3 SEC) never led against the Rebels (7-2, 3-2 SEC), who snapped a five-game losing streak in Fayetteville. Arkansas is now 2-3 against Ole Miss since head coach Sam Pittman took over in 2020.
Disaster struck the Razorbacks in the first quarter.
After forcing a turnover on downs, quarterback Taylen Green and Arkansas took over at its own one-yard line. However, the drive was short-lived when Green fumbled after a sack, which the Rebels recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
Green suffered a leg injury early in the first quarter and missed a few plays before returning to finish 10-of-14 (71%) for 158 yards. He added 16 rushing yards on 10 carries and was pulled for backup quarterback Malachi Singleton in the third quarter.
On Arkansas's next possession, kicker Matthew Shipley nailed a career-long 55-yard field goal to cut into Ole Miss's lead 7-3 with 3:19 to play in the first quarter. It was the longest field goal by a Razorback kicker since Cam Little's 56-yarder against the Rebels in 2023.
Ole Miss put its foot on the gas in the second quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points. Quarterback Jaxson Dart connected with tight end Dae'Quan Wright for a four-yard touchdown and found wide receiver Jordan Watkins for scores of 62 and 66 yards to give the Rebels a 28-3 lead with 10:07 left in the first half.
Watkins and Dart made their respective cases to be the next SEC Offensive Player Week. Watkins hauled in eight catches for a school-record 254 yards and five touchdowns, while Dart completed 25-of-31 (81%) passes for a school-record 515 yards and six touchdowns.
Arkansas responded with a six-yard rushing touchdown by running back Rashod Dubinion, but failed to come within 25 points the rest of the way as Ole Miss led 35-10 at the break.
The Hogs were outgained on offense 694 to 492 and averaged just 3.4 yards per rush. Dubinion led the team on the ground with 12 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Andrew Armstrong paced all Razorback pass catchers with 135 yards on six receptions.
Arkansas will try to become bowl eligible for the fourth time in five seasons when longtime rival No. 6 Texas comes to town on Nov. 16. Coverage from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium begins at 11 a.m. on ABC/ESPN.