FUMBLE, FINAL DRIVE propelled Hogs’ comeback.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas completed its first come-from-behind victory in the second half under Coach Bret Bielema by outscoring the Ole Miss 10-0 in the final 6:01 of Saturday’s 3837 victory over the Rebels, capped by Connor Limpert’s 34-yard field goal with four seconds remaining.

The game-winning stretch was keyed by defensive back Kevin Richardson’s 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown on a gift turnover by the Rebels with 6:01 remaining on the play after an interception by Ole Miss cornerback Javien Hamilton.

The Arkansas defense held Ole Miss to a four and out after Richardson’s score and got the ball back with 4:04 remaining at the Hogs’ 22.

“I just tried to keep my composure and I think the offensive line did an absolutely phenomenal job today,” Arkansas freshman quarterback Cole Kelley said. “They really stepped up big without Frank [Ragnow].”

Ragnow, the veteran centerpiece of the Hogs’ offensive line, suffered a season-ending ankle injury last week against Auburn.

Bielema said he liked the idea of having three timeouts at his disposal before the final drive Saturday, and he told offensive coordinator Dan Enos the Hogs were in four-down territory until reaching the 25-yard line.

Runs by Jonathan Nance for 5 yards and Devwah Whaley for 8 yards got the ball rolling on the final drive, which also included a 7-yard slant pass from Kelley to tight end Cheyenne O’Grady to convert third and 5 at the Arkansas 39.

The Razorbacks faced fourth and 4 from the Ole Miss 48 a few moments later, when defensive back Myles Hartsfield was called for pass interference on Nance over the left side.

“Oh yeah, the guy was draped all over his back before the ball got there,” Kelley said. “If it wasn’t for pass interference, he would have made the catch for the first down. So I mean, it was definitely pass interference.”

The Razorbacks have seemingly been on the other side of calls like that lately.

“The official gave us the fourth-down call, which I think was the correct call,” Bielema said. “But for an official to throw the flag, those are big moments and I give him a lot of courage for doing that.”

Arkansas was hit with a holding call on the following play, which came as David Williams took a screen pass 16 yards to the Ole Miss 25.

Kelley found Nance for a 19-yard pass on the next play, then Kelley ran up the middle for 6 yards and a first down at the 26. Williams ran 10 yards around left end to put the ball where Limpert wanted it on the left hash, and Arkansas called timeout with seven seconds remaining.

“I’m definitely better from the left hash,” Limpert said. “We tend to try to get the ball on the left side for me.”

The Razorbacks had previously been 0-18 under Bielema when trailing at halftime. The Rebels built a 31-7 lead in the second quarter and led 31-21 at the break.

Three for D

Arkansas defensive backs accounted for all three takeaways against Ole Miss, with fumble recoveries by Santos Ramirez and Kevin Richardson, and Josh Liddell’s 54-yard interception return.

The Razorbacks cashed each of the turnovers into touchdowns, including Richardson’s 22-yard scoop and score.

“It’s just a matter that when things are on the line, the leaders on the team need to step up,” Ramirez said. “We did that. I’m proud of those guys. We’ve been through a lot and overcome a lot of adversity. We went out there and played a great game. Every down you’ve got to give your all, and that’s what we did.”

Richardson said defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads stressed all week that the unit might have to battle back from setbacks.

“That’s what we did,” Richardson said. “We practiced on it all week. If we’re down, we’re going to have to make plays and we ended up having three turnovers this whole game. Guys were just out there making plays like he wanted us to.”

Little help?

Coach Bret Bielema thanked fans in the closing remarks at the end of his 20-minute postgame news conference Saturday and didn’t shy away from talking about the team’s recent struggles.

“I’m glad we got this win. I’m glad for our fans,” Bielema said. “I appreciate everybody.

“Obviously when you’re in these situations, everybody has an answer for you and I appreciate the advice I’ve gotten from everybody from A to Z. I said the other night on radio, I’ve gotten more references for scriptures in my life that I could possibly read. I know people are passionate, and hopefully we represented the Hog Nation today the way they’d like.”

The Razorbacks broke a five-game SEC losing streak, including a stretch of three losses by a combined 141-51.

Three for Kevin

Defensive back Kevin Richardson’s fumble return for a touchdown gave the defensive captain his first score as a Razorback, and a takeaway in three consecutive games.

Richardson had interceptions against Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts and Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham the previous two weeks.

Richardson said Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads made a good defensive call on his touchdown, which came after Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu pulled back a read-option handoff for Eric Swinney in the backfield and lost the handle. The ball was on the 24 for Richardson to scoop up on the run.

“I just happened to be right there,” Richardson said. “I saw the quarterback try to pull it and I tried to step back and I just saw the ball sitting in front of me. I was like, ‘Man, there’s nobody in front of me. I can go score. Let me go do it.’

“And Scoota [De’Jon Harris] was in position, so he kind of made the quarterback want to pull the ball, too. So either way, that’s an all-around great defensive call by Coach Rhoads.”

The official game book ruled Richardson’s return as a 22-yard play, but replay showed he picked it up closer to the 24.

Frank talk

Junior guard Hjalte Froholdt had tears well up in his eyes when talking about teammate Frank Ragnow, who is out for the season after suffering a severe ankle injury last week against Auburn.

Froholdt said he and junior center Zach Rogers talked to Ragnow by phone in the celebratory locker room Saturday.

“He said he’s proud of us and everything, and we wish he was out there with us,” Froholdt said. “He’s a super selfless guy. He never thinks of himself. He always thinks for the betterment of the team.”

The Razorbacks ran for 260 yards against an Ole Miss defense that ranked 127th nationally against the run.

“Losing Frank was a huge hit on us, and I think a lot of guys realized that centerpiece on the offensive line isn’t going to be able to correct us out there on the field,” Froholdt said. “So the guys just started buying in. Not that they didn’t know what they were doing before, but people just had the extra sense of urgency to get your blocks and freaking come down the line and move guys off the ball. I’m so happy for the offensive line.”