No. 22 Arkansas, Penn State matched for Outback Bowl

Posted December 05, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) throws a pass against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

No. 22 Arkansas (8-4, SEC) vs. Penn State (7-5, Big Ten), Jan. 1, Noon ET

LOCATION: Tampa, Florida.

TOP PLAYERS

Arkansas: Quarterback KJ Jefferson has thrown for 2,578 yards and 21 touchdowns, with receiver Treylon Burks (1,104 yards) his favorite target. Defensive back Montaric Brown tied for the SEC lead with five interceptions, while linebacker Bumper Pool was second in the SEC with 120 tackles.

Penn State: Defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (62 tackles, 18 for loss with 9.5 sacks) and safety Jaquan Brisker (64 stops) were first team all-Big Ten selections. Receiver Jahan Dotson had 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 TDs to also earn first-team conference honors.

NOTABLE

Arkansas: The Razorbacks posted their highest win total since 2011 to finish third in the SEC West, their best standing since 2015. Their offense ranked seventh in the SEC at 441 yards per game.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 4 for two weeks in the AP Top 25, most recently on Oct. 3, before falling out in Week 12.

LAST TIME

First meeting.

BOWL HISTORY

Arkansas: The Hogs are playing their first bowl game since the 2016 Belk Bowl and first New Year's Day game since the 2008 Cotton Bowl. They are 15-24-3 overall.

Penn State: Will make its fifth Outback Bowl appearance and first since a 37-24 loss to Florida in the 2010 season. The Nittany Lions are 30-18-2 lifetime in bowls.

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More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25

Penn State's Parker Washington, right, catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Michigan State's Angelo Grose (15) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 30-27. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) The Associated Press

Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson (5) scores a touchdown against Michigan State's Xavier Henderson, bottom right, and Darius Snow (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) The Associated Press

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