Taking look back at AutoZone Liberty Bowl win by Hogs

By Jason Pattyson

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Arkansas Razorbacks took a few positive notes away from the 39-26 AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory this past Friday night.

Taylen Green played efficiently and racked up 438 total yards, and the offense returned to its ground attack roots. The defense has a ways to go, but it showed flashes in key moments, and I’ll address that a little further down the road. 

First and foremost, the Hogs came away without serious injuries or players being suspended to start the 2025 regular season next August. In a microwave society, fast results and outcomes, the small things can add up, and it takes time to get back to a place of normal regarding injuries. The Razorbacks can continue into the off-season mostly healthy, minus the dings and bruises. Redshirt Freshman Dazmin James was injured in the first half.

The first catch and scores were on display, and receiver James and running back Tyrell Reed left their mark in the record books and fans’ memories in the win. James broke the Razorback and AutoZone Liberty Bowl record with his 94-yard score, his first catch as a Razorback. Later, Reed scampered 47 yards for his first catch and score as a Hog. 

It has been coined so many times fans remember in November, but this time around, fans will remember in December now. If it weren’t for the opt-outs and transfers to the portal, Reed and James probably wouldn’t have seen the field. Turns out this team was deep in skill talent; they just needed a chance. 

James and his “fast hands” shook a defender, regained his balance after being tripped from behind, and showed his raw speed in the open field. The safety took a good angle on James, but he just outran the defender. That has been an issue this season in the receiver room, creating separation in the open field with speed. The portal auditions and the players returning will boost this room and give fans some optimism. 

Green accounted for 79% of the offense, 81 yards on the ground and 341 through the air, and largely avoided the turnover bug. Offensive Coordinator Bobby Petrino knew the Red Raider defense was as bad as the Oklahoma State defense, against which they scored 36 points earlier in the season, a loss that still stings the fanbase. The biggest criticism of Green was finding skilled guys on target and in stride; he did that with James and Reed’s scores.

There wasn’t much difference in the approach, but there were a couple more bootlegs and a commitment to the run in the second half. This gave defensives some new film next year to chew on over the summer when prepping for the Hogs. Green needs to make the biggest stride in distinguishing the route tree with the safeties in place and not two into double coverage so much.

The Red Raider and Razorback defenses seemed to get shredded like a solid block of cheddar. Both teams combined to give up 1,056 yards and played a total of 137 plays, which makes this reporter tired just thinking about it. Both teams recorded a safety, and Arkansas won the turnover battle for the sixth time this season.  

Defensive backs Miguel Mitchell and Marquise Robinson recorded an interception, and linebacker Anthony Switzer, who announced he would enter the NFL draft on Sunday, was a fingertip away from a third takeaway. Anton Juncaj broke free in his last game as a Razorback, got home, as they say, and recorded the Hog’s only safety in the fourth quarter.  All transfers that made a difference. Sam Pittman has been roasted in the court of social media at every turn.

From the players they brought in that last off-season to the ones who left for the portal and the way he manages a game, he catches heat. Sometimes, too much, and not given more credit for the job they did reversing course from a 4-8 season last year. The one constant for Pittman is that if he falls into a valley, he has pulled this program back up the hill, climbing for the peaks.

The one glaring need is help in the secondary. A backup quarterback put up 280 yards and a score but two interceptions. Pittman and his staff have help on the way, but with eight more scholarships available, they may need to shift a couple over to the defense if a player or two enters the portal from a CFP team and transfers to the Razorbacks, which very well could happen.

Regardless of the joy and lament from fans during this ’24 season, one thing is sure: there is hope in the roster, which has fans up in arms and expecting more. That is a far cry from where this fanbase was a year ago, worried if this team could compete and had Pittman and company written off for another losing season, and a coaching search was looming. Now, the bar of expectation has been raised, and eight wins could be the benchmark; the only problem and the same question that will follow all offseason: where will they come from? In the meantime, fans can all enjoy a 17th bowl victory and 79th season, finishing with a record over .500.