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Arkansas Slams Ole Miss For 2nd Straight Shutout

Razorbacks become first ever unranked team to record back-to-back shutouts of ranked opponents

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Arkansas went 763 days between SEC wins from the 2012 season until last week’s win against LSU. The Razorbacks had to wait less than a week for their next league win.

The Razorbacks continued to roll defensively as they forced six Ole Miss turnovers and hammered the Rebels 30-0 inside Razorback Stadium.

Arkansas became the first unranked team to record shutouts of ranked teams in back-to-back games in FBS history.

“I think our coaches did a nice job, we actually changed plans when the other quarterbacks came in,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. “We switched some things around and fixed some matchup issues. The thing I like about our defensive players is that they just shake things off. They make a mistake, and they’ll lineup and play again. Those two turnovers, they let them get all the way down into the end zone and then made the big play.”

Arkansas took advantage of early field position as Brandon Allen hit Keon Hatcher for a 25-yard score, capping a 52 yard drive in just three plays. The Razorbacks pushed their lead to 17-0 in the first quarter after a 1-yard Alex Collins touchdown run.

The Arkansas defense kept the 17-point advantage going into the half thanks to an interception by Tevin Mitchel in the end zone late in the second quarter.

Rohan Gaines, who missed the first half due to an ejection against LSU, highlighted the defense’s performance in the third quarter as he picked off Bo Wallace in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a score.

“I was just being patient. Film study allowed me to play that route,” Gaines said. “I saw it on film so I remembered it and just played it. The crazy thing is, I was kind of out of gas. I was looking up at the jumbo tron and saw the guy catching me. My initial reaction was to dive but before I could dive he kind of hit it but I figured I was in.”

Arkansas is now bowl eligible for the first time since the 2011 season.

“They put it to us pretty good. I was concerned all week, for whatever reason, that we weren’t locked in totally. I think that showed in the beginning of the game, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “That’s my fault, I’ve got to make sure our kids are, but it just felt like a weird week for whatever reason. It was disappointing that we didn’t start better.”

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