FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Rocket Sanders and Bryce Stephens had long scoring plays in a 2:22 span of the fourth quarter to help No. 10 Arkansas beat Missouri State and former Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino 38-27 on Saturday night.
Sanders caught a shovel pass for a 73-yard touchdown scamper with 11:38 left and Stephens returned Missouri State's ensuing punt 82 yards to give Arkansas (3-0) its first lead of the game at 31-27.
Petrino coached Arkansas from 2008 to 2011 before being fired in spring of 2012 after a motorcycle wreck and proceeding scandal. He won 11 games and 10 games in his final two seasons with the Razorbacks. Arkansas hasn't reached the double-digit win mark since.
Arkansas rallied after Missouri State (2-1), took a 17-0 lead, tying it at 17 in the third quarter. Back-to-back scores late in the third quarter gave the Bears a 10-point edge with 12:04 left before Sanders and Stephens scored.
Sanders ran for a career-high 167 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns. KJ Jefferson threw for a career-high 385 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Jefferson's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:39 left provided the final score.
Missouri State took the lead early in large part thanks to the Razorbacks' self-induced difficulties. Arkansas' first four possessions resulted in two three-and-out punts and two lost fumbles, including one by Sanders on the Missouri State goal line the Bears picked up for a touchback.
Bears quarterback Jason Shelley threw for 357 yards and a touchdown, taking advantage of an Arkansas secondary that was without starting nickel Myles Slusher and preseason All-SEC safety Jalen Catalon, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Arkansas held on, but could fall from No. 10 given the performance.
THE TAKEAWAY
The Razorbacks were darlings after a 2-0 start boosted them into the top 10, but with a stretch of SEC games upcoming, Arkansas has plenty to fix if it wants to stay in the dark horse conversation.
Missouri State proved itself capable of playing up and could compete for an FCS national championship.
UP NEXT
Arkansas will play Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, in the annual Southwest Classic on Sept. 24.
Missouri State opens Missouri Valley Conference play at home against South Dakota State on Sept. 24.
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Abilene Christian
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