Arkansas forces seven turnovers, beats Ole Miss
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forced quarterback Matt Corral to throw six interceptions as the Razorbacks scored 24 points off seven turnovers in a 33-21 win over Mississippi on Saturday.
Three first- half Rebels’ giveaways helped provide Arkansas (2-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) a 20- 0 halftime lead. It was the Razorbacks’ largest halftime advantage in a Southeastern Conference game since 2016, their last winning season.
Corral entered the game second in the league in yards passing and had thrown just one interception through three games for Ole Miss (1-3, 1-3). He threw two touchdown passes against the Razorbacks but had a season- low 200 yards in addition to his six picks.
“We got a talented group. We have a resilient group and we have a group that can catch passes on defense and return them for touchdowns. (Defensive coordinator) Barry Odom is the real deal,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said.
Ole Miss didn’t punt in the second half, with each of its eight series ending in either a turnover, on downs, or a touchdown. Two of the three second- half touchdowns resulted in the Rebels pulling within a touchdown, but the interceptions resulted in the finish.
“Had we not screwed all that up early, we’re up by three or four scores,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “You can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to win.”
Linebacker Grant Morgan took Corral’s fifth interception 23 yards to the end zone for the game’s final score with 3:07 remaining. Hudson Clark’s third interception on Ole Miss’ ensuing drive sealed the game.
Feleipe Franks was 21-of-34 passing for 244 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Arkansas. He threw a 7-yard TD to Treylon Burks, who made a one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone, getting one foot inbounds before falling out. It pushed Arkansas’ lead from six to 12 with 7:36 left.
Jerrion Ealy ran for 112 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown for the Rebels.
The takeaway
Arkansas has won two SEC games for the first time since 2016.
Ole Miss sits at the bottom of the SEC West and has given up the most points in the conference.
Burks is back
Arkansas’ sophomore wide receiver Treylon Burks was the most highly touted receiver the Razorbacks landed in recent years. He caught 29 passes as a freshman last year, but didn’t score a touchdown. He broke out against the Rebels with 11 receptions for 137 yards and added another 46 yards on the ground on four carries.
It’s been a while
Arkansas’ six interceptions were the most its had since 2003 when the Razorbacks had six against Mississippi State.