FOURTH-DOWN gambles pay off for Bielema.

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks went 2 of 3 on fourth-down plays in Saturday’s 42-24 victory over New Mexico State.

Coach Bret Bielema, citing advanced analytics, elected to pass on field-goal tries of 45, 31 and 41 yards against the Aggies.

Arkansas converted fourth downs on back-toback touchdown drives in the third quarter. On the first, Austin Allen found Cheyenne O’Grady for 10 yards on a crossing route on fourth and 4 from the Aggies’ 26.

Jonathan Nance caught a 3-yard slant pass for a touchdown and a 35-17 Arkansas lead eight plays later.

“I liked it. I liked the calls on fourth down we had,” Allen said. “We executed, and I think getting those fourth downs was one of the reasons why we won the game. It would have been a 28-17 game, and they would have got the ball if we hadn’t converted those fourth downs.”

Deon Stewart caught a 7-yard pass from Allen on fourth and 1 from the New Mexico State 13 on the Razorbacks’ next series.

The Aggies finally got a fourth-down stop in the fourth quarter when linebacker Malik Demby forced a hurried, incomplete pass from Allen on fourth and 4 from the New Mexico State 23.

“Yeah, we’re good enough to get it on fourth down,” Nance said. “Our coaches were being aggressive and more aggressive, and we’re going to continue to make plays.”

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/THOMAS METTHE Arkansas wide receiver Jonathan Nance (7) avoids the tackle of New Mexico State defensive back DeMarcus Owens (4) during the third quarter of the Razorbacks’ 42-24 victory Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Nance had 6 catches for...