NCAAF: Taylen Green, Arkansas overpower Texas Tech in Liberty Bowl

Date:

Share post:


Taylen Green threw for 341 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Arkansas pulled away in the second half to earn a 39-26 win over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Friday.

Green completed 11 of 21 passes, two for touchdowns, and added 81 yards and a score on 15 rushes. The redshirt junior led a big-play attack that saw the Razorbacks (7-6) pile up 559 total yards.

“We appreciate the guys who came back for the bowl game and helped us win,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “I’m proud of the coaching staff for getting the kids ready. I think the kids bought into it.”

Will Hammond connected on 20 of 34 passes for 280 yards, a touchdown and two second-half interceptions for the Red Raiders (8-5), filling in for injured starter Behren Morton (shoulder surgery). J’Koby Williams rushed for 123 yards and a TD on 15 carries.

However, Texas Tech’s offense, which trimmed a 21-3 first-quarter deficit to 21-19 in the second quarter, couldn’t respond in the second half. The Red Raiders’ only score after halftime was Hammond’s 15-yard connection to Coy Eakin with 3:06 left in the game.

“The ending of a season is always tough, but it’s tougher when you don’t play well enough,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “We made too many mistakes. Hats off to Arkansas and Taylen Green. I thought he played a great game and it was tough.”

Arkansas led 24-19 at halftime but steadily tacked on to its lead via all three phases. Matthew Shipley converted a 34-yard field goal with 10:52 to go in the third quarter, and Green added a 47-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Tyrell Reed Jr. with 7:07 left in the third.

In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Anton Juncaj made it 36-19 when he sacked Hammond in the end zone for a safety. Shipley capped the Razorbacks’ scoring on a 43-yard field goal with 5:02 left.

Arkansas’ fast start set the game’s tone. Green scored on a 12-yard touchdown jaunt on the Razorbacks’ first possession, one play after Rodney Hill ripped off a 70-yard run.

After Gino Garcia toed a 37-yard field goal for the Red Raiders, the Razorbacks upped the advantage to 21-3 on Braylen Russell’s 1-yard scoring run and Green’s 94-yard touchdown pass to Dazmin James — his first career catch. James finished with three receptions for 137 yards, and teammate Isaac TeSlaa made three catches for 107 yards.

In the second quarter, Texas Tech bounced back with Isaac Smith’s sack of Green in the end zone for a safety. Williams added a 54-yard scoring run and Jalin Conyers got the Red Raiders within two points on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:58 left in the half.

Shipley’s 40-yard field goal capped a wild first half that saw the teams combine for 687 yards.

–Field Level Media

spot_img

Related articles

NCAAF: Oklahoma hires Senior Bowl chief Jim Nagy as GM

Oklahoma has hired Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy as its new general manager, the university announced on Wednesday....

NFL: Ravens’ Justin Tucker, wife address misconduct allegations

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker issued another lengthy statement to address allegations that he engaged in inappropriate behavior...

NFL: Report: Michigan duo won’t work out at Combine

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant will not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine...

NFL: Docs advise against surgery for potential top pick Abdul Carter

Doctors have advised potential No. 1 NFL draft pick Abdul Carter against having foot surgery, agent Drew Rosenhaus...

FREE

Get the most important breaking news and analyses for Free.

Thank you for subscribing

Something went wrong.