STARKVILLE, Miss — After facing back-to-back top-10 opponents at Razorback Stadium, Arkansas got just about the opposite of that on Saturday, hitting the road to take on Mississippi State, who came into the day 1-6 on the season (winless in SEC play).
It was the closest thing to a get-right game that the Hogs could get in SEC play, and they took full advantage.
After the teams traded touchdowns to start the game, the Hogs really went to work, reeling off scores on three straight drives to build a 24-7 lead.
Arkansas native and Harding Academy alum, Kyle Ferrie, knocked through a field goal with two minutes left in the first half, but other than that it was all Hogs.
Arkansas took a 31-10 lead into the locker room at half time.
Now three weeks removed from his lower-body injury suffered against Tennessee, Taylen Green looked back to his usual, mobile self, becoming the first Arkansas quarterback since Ryan Mallet in 2010 to throw for at least 4 touchdowns and rush for another in a game.
He finished with 314 yards and five touchdowns on an efficient 23-29 passing. Malachi Singleton led the offense in the final two possessions, which is usually a sign of good things for the Hogs.
Running back was another point of concern pregame, with starter Ja'Quinden Jackson out with an injury. Former Lakeside and Benton star Braylon Russell answered the call in a big way, earning his first college start and exploding for 175 yards on 16 carries.
The big back showed plenty of flashes before Saturday, but it was a true breakout performance for the Central Arkansas native.
The Arkansas defense certainly has room for improvement, struggling to contain the Bulldog offense for much of the second half. Things could have been even closer, but Mississippi State left plenty of points on the field, turning the ball over six times and getting stuffed at the goal line in the first half.
The Hogs were able to cycle their backups in for much of the fourth quarter, ultimately winning 58-25.
It's the most points scored by a Razorback team in an SEC game since 2016, also against Mississippi State.
Overall, Arkansas did what they needed to do against the worst team in the SEC.
Up next, the Hogs get the other team from the Magnolia State, as Ole Miss comes to Fayetteville next Saturday.
Arkansas moves to 5-3, one win from bowl eligibility with four games remaining.