Razorbacks rewind

Hogs win on fumble, final drive

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.