advertisement

Jefferson generates 4 TDs to power Arkansas past Cincinnati

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson felt disrespected when he wasn't named to any preseason all-Southeastern Conference team.

Jefferson's opening week performance could earn more attention for the player who had the SEC's second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio last year and was the leading returning rusher at the position in the conference..

Jefferson threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 62 yards and a score to lead No. 19 Arkansas to a 31-24 win over No. 23 Cincinnati on Saturday.

'œSeems to me like when the game gets a little tighter, a little closer, when he's really got to take over the game, he's got the knack to do it,'ť Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. 'œSeemed to me like most every time we need him to win the game, he makes some kind of play.

Jefferson established himself as escape-artist of sorts last year, his 240-pound frame proving difficult to take down. Little changed there as most of his yards on the ground came after contact against Cincinnati. Through the air, he built a rapport with tight end Trey Knox who caught two of the three touchdown tosses, including one that was quite literally a toss: a jump-pass from five yards to give Arkansas a 14-0 lead at halftime.

Cincinnati's Ben Bryant, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, ultimately threw for more yards passing (325) and just one fewer touchdown, but an interception at the Arkansas 20 turned into a Razorbacks score on the next possession.

The pick was one of several mistakes the Bearcats made. Four of Cincinnati's first-half drives ended in Arkansas territory, but the interception halted one and Ryan Coe missed two field goals, including one from 25 yards, as well.

Cincinnati had pulled within a touchdown on Bryant's throw to Nick Mardner halfway through the third quarter and then recovered a Jefferson fumble inside his own 10 on the ensuing play. The Bearcats started three yards from the end zone, but four penalties later, including two for delay of game, they managed just a 25-yard field goal.

Arkansas followed with a 32-yard field three minutes later and Jefferson threw his third touchdown on the possession that followed, a 32-yarder to Knox, to rebuild the lead to 14 points.

Knox, a senior, was a starting wide receiver his freshman year and had 28 catches and three touchdowns, but had just seven catches his sophomore season in Pittman's debut 2020 season. He moved to tight end and caught 20 balls as a junior last season. Saturday he had six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

'œHe's worked hard at tight end and he believes he's a tight end. He is. He's a good one,'ť Pittman said. 'œComing off the field on his second TD and went down their side and I said '~You happy you moved to tight end?' Those are special moments because you never know if it's going to work out.'ť

The game was Arkansas' first Top 25 matchup at home since 2016.

The Razorbacks were 9-4 last season, their best finish since 2011 .

'œWhen Cincinnati was put on the schedule I was saying '~why?' to be honest with you,'ť Pittman said. 'œAm I tickled to death that we're 1-0 and we beat Cincinnati? Yes. I don't want to play them. We've already played them once. That's plenty.'ť

THE PORTAL GIVETH

Most of Arkansas' big plays not involving Knox and Jefferson came from players picked up via the transfer portal. Domineck (Georgia Tech) and Drew Sanders (Alabama) had sacks. Dwight McGlothern (LSU) had Arkansas' interception. Matt Landers (Toledo) started and caught three passes for 43 yards while Haselwood (Oklahoma) had three grabs for 42 yards and the score.

BEAT UP

Cincinnati's rally came in large part because of the passing game. Bryant took advantage of Arkansas losing starting nickel Myles Slusher and starting safety Jalen Catalon late in the second quarter and early in the second half.

The Bearcats' first touchdown came immediately after Catalon, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection and former freshman All-American, left the game.

Pittman said Slusher should be OK going forward, but he was less sure about Catalon. He did not disclose either injury.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas' offense, with Jefferson at quarterback, is SEC worthy. The defense struggled in the second half after losing two starters from the secondary.

Cincinnati had the talent to win the game, but its mistakes were too plentiful against a quality opponent.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Arkansas should find itself comfortably still ranked ahead of its SEC opener next week.

Cincinnati is likely to fall out of the Top 25 despite a fair showing.

UP NEXT

Arkansas opens SEC play against South Carolina at home in Week 2. The game will be South Carolina's first in Fayetteville since 2013.

Cincinnati will host FCS opponent Kennesaw State at Nippert Stadium.

___

More AP college football:

https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP's college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

Cincinnati receiver Nick Mardner (84) makes a touchdown catch in front of Arkansas defensive back LaDarrius Bishop (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas wide receiver Matt Landers (3) slips past Cincinnati defensive back Ja'Quan Sheppard (5) as he runs for a gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) runs past Cincinnati defensive back Ja'Quan Sheppard (5) as teammate Matt Landers (right) blocks on a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant (6) throws a pass against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas tight end Trey Knox (7) makes a touchdown catch in front of Cincinnati defensive back Deshawn Pace (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) is sacked by Cincinnati defensive back Ja'Quan Sheppard (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) is sacked by Cincinnati defensive back Ivan Pace Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (9) runs for a gain against Cincinnati during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Arkansas tight end Trey Knox (7) outruns Cincinnati defensive back Ja'Quan Sheppard (5) as he scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Cincinnati receiver Tre Tucker (1) is tackled by Arkansas defender Eli Stein (48) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor (11) makes a touchdown catch against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Cincinnati receiver Tre Tucker, right, tries to get past Arkansas defensive back Jayden Johnson, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Cincinnati running back Corey Kiner (2) leaps over Arkansas defensive back Simeon Blair (15) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.