Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s thrilling win over Arkansas (2024)

The Deseret News is providing live coverage from Saturday’s game between BYU and Arkansas. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

BYU 38, Arkansas 31

BYU held on for a thrilling victory in SEC country.

The Cougars rallied with the game’s final 17 points to earn the victory over Arkansas.

BYU’s defense held a penalty-laden Razorbacks team out of the end zone on its final possession, and the Cougars stay unbeaten heading into Big 12 play.

Jay Hill’s defense kept the pressure on Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson in that final drive, and it was enough to keep the Razorbacks from earning the game-tying score.

Fourth quarter

BYU 38, Arkansas 31

1:55 — Will Ferrin missed a 50-yard field goal attempt wide right, leaving Arkansas with enough time to try and tie this game. The Razorbacks have no timeouts remaining.

3:49 — BYU forced another turnover, as cornerback Eddie Heckard strip sacked KJ Jefferson and Tyler Batty recovered at the Arkansas 38. It’s the Razorbacks’ second turnover of the second half.

8:00 — BYU moved back out in front on an insanely impressive one-handed 7-yard touchdown grab from Chase Roberts, as the Cougars capitalize on Arkansas failing to score on its previous possession. BYU 38, Arkansas 31.

The nine-play, 69-yard drive included a pair of third-down conversions — one a Parker Kingston catch, the other a Kedon Slovis run — and a 37-yard Keelan Marion catch that got the Cougars inside the red zone.

12:46 — The Cougars came up with a big stop, after a Cam Little 49-yard field goal attempt clanked off the goal post.

That keeps this game tied just a few minutes into the fourth quarter.

Third quarter

Arkansas 31, BYU 31

1:52 — We’ve got a tie game again.

The Cougars scored one play after a Max Tooley interception, as Parker Kingston — who threw a touchdown in the first half — caught a 20-yard touchdown from Kedon Slovis. Arkansas 31, BYU 31.

Tooley returned the interception off KJ Jefferson 24 yards to set BYU up with the ball at the Arkansas 20 to start that drive. It was the first turnover of the night for Arkansas.

4:43 — BYU made it a one-score game, as Will Ferrin made a 43-yard field goal, his first FG as a Cougar. Arkansas 31, BYU 24.

The Cougars were saved by a delay of game, oddly enough. BYU tried a fake field goal with punter Ryan Rehkow and he was well short of the first down, but the play was waived off by the delay and Ferrin proceeded to add three points on the ensuing snap.

BYU got the ball starting at midfield after Cougars linebacker AJ Vongphachanh made a fourth-down stop to force a turnover on downs.

11:41 — The Razorbacks are back in control after a four-play, 63-yard drive that saw Arkansas score on an AJ Green 7-yard run. Arkansas 31, BYU 21.

That is 17 straight points for Arkansas in just over five minutes of game time spanning the end of the second quarter and into the early moments of the third.

First half

Arkansas 24, BYU 21

The Cougars have fought their way back into this game after a disastrous start — though BYU struggled down the stretch in the first half and finds itself behind at the half.

Overall, it’s been a relatively even game — Arkansas has 232 yards of total offense while BYU has 185.

KJ Jefferson has completed 10 of 15 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown for the Razorbacks, while the Cougars’ Kedon Slovis is 7 of 15 for 76 yards.

Can BYU make enough plays in the second half to steal a road win in SEC country?

Second quarter

Arkansas 24, BYU 21

0:00 — Arkansas took advantage of a BYU turnover — wide receiver Chase Roberts fumbled the ball deep in Cougar territory on a hard hit — as the Razorbacks added a 26-yard field goal from Cam Little as the first half ended. Arkansas 24, BYU 21.

1:43 — Arkansas finally found its offense again, driving 70 yards as KJ Jefferson hit an open Luke Hanz for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Arkansas 21, BYU 21.

The Razorbacks never faced a third down on the 10-play drive and Jefferson completed all five of his passing attempts on the possession for 48 yards.

12:54 —BYU has its first lead, after LJ Martin scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 10-play, 70-yard drive. BYU 21, Arkansas 14.

Isaac Rex caught three passes for 41 yards on the drive, including an impressive 26-yarder where the BYU tight end tipped the ball to himself before advancing the ball inside the Arkansas 5. Two plays later, Martin scored his second TD run of the game.

First quarter

Arkansas 14, BYU 14

2:24 — In his first career start, BYU true freshman running back LJ Martin broke off a 45-yard run for a touchdown, and the Cougars have tied this game back up. Arkansas 14, BYU 14.

After BYU got the ball at the Razorbacks 45 following a 10-yard punt, Martin scored on the Cougars’ first play of the ensuing drive. It’s his first career touchdown.

8:28 — BYU dug into its bag of tricks for its first score, as wide receiver Parker Kingston threw to a wide-open running back Deion Smith for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Arkansas 14, BYU 7.

That was a two-play, 53-yard drive — after the BYU defense forced its first stop of the game deep in Arkansas territory, Kedon Slovis hit Isaac Rex for a 16-yard gain on the first play of the drive.

11:29 — After BYU went three-and-out on its opening drive, Arkansas punt returner Isaiah Sategna darted 88 yards for an electrifying return for a touchdown, and the Cougars are already down two scores. Arkansas 14, BYU 0.

13:21 — Arkansas running back AJ Green tore off a 55-yard touchdown run four plays into the game, and the Razorbacks have the early lead. Arkansas had 63 rushing yards on that quick scoring drive. Arkansas 7, BYU 0.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game at Arkansas: