Dumb & dumber
Both teams had players flagged for stupid penalties in the second quarter, but only the Razorbacks were able to take advantage.
Arkansas cornerback Nate Dalton was called for unsportsmanlike conduct while covering a punt when he shoved Tulsa return man Jarion Anderson in the face after Anderson signaled for a fair catch.
Razorbacks Coach Chad Morris sent Dalton to the locker room after the penalty.
“We’re not about that,” Morris said.
The penalty meant Tulsa started its possession at its 25 instead of the 10. The Golden Hurricane moved to the Arkansas 41 but were stopped on downs.
After the teams exchanged punts, Arkansas drove to the Tulsa 15 and had a second and 6, but the Razorbacks lost 12 yards on a poor shotgun snap that quarterback Connor Noland was fortunate to recover at the 27.
Tulsa defensive end Trevis Gipson was called for targeting as he dove for the loose ball.
The targeting penalty was overturned after a replay review, but Tulsa wide receiver JuanCarlos Santana — who was on the sideline — drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty because he picked up the flag from the targeting call and threw it.
“We had a young kid on the sideline that just doesn’t need to do that,” Tulsa Coach Philip Montgomery said. “We’ll learn from it, and I will obviously take care of that when I get back.”
Instead of Arkansas facing third and 18 from its 27, the penalty on Santana gave the Razorbacks a first down at the 13. Three plays later Connor Noland’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Grayson Gunter put Arkansas ahead 10-0.