Arkansas’s standout player led the Hogs to victory over UAB, despite underwhelming performances from the less impressive players.

Arkansas is off to a 2-1 start this season. Though the Razorbacks’ win against UAB yesterday wasn’t pretty, it was still a victory. Now, the Hogs must put the past two weeks behind them and turn their attention to their first conference matchup against the Auburn Tigers. Fortunately, we at Razorbackers aren’t on the team. So, we’ll take a moment to review the lackluster performance and analyze how Arkansas managed to overcome a two-touchdown deficit. Here are this week’s Studs and Duds.

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – SEPTEMBER 14: Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) runs with the football during the college football game between the UAB Blazers and Arkansas Razorbacks on September 14, 2024, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Studs and Duds: UAB

Studs
Ja’Quinden Jackson

When you think of a ‘workhorse running back,’ Ja’Quinden Jackson fits the bill perfectly. So far, he’s carried the ball 47 times for 397 yards, averaging an impressive 8.4 yards per carry. In last night’s game alone, Jackson ran for 147 yards on 15 carries, including a touchdown. That’s nearly 10 yards per carry. Currently ranked as the fifth-leading rusher in the country, Jackson trails only Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), RJ Harvey (UCF), and Omarion Hampton (UNC). Of those four, only Jeanty has a higher yards-per-carry average than Jackson. However, Jackson is the only one who shares the backfield with another prolific runner, making his performance even more noteworthy.

Andrew Armstrong

Andrew Armstrong is the Razorbackers’ Hog of the Week. He wasn’t just the top wide receiver on the field—he was the heart of Arkansas’ entire passing game. His chemistry with quarterback Taylen Green has been key, allowing the former FCS transfer to deliver back-to-back stellar performances. Against UAB, Armstrong hauled in eight catches for 137 yards. While he hasn’t found the end zone yet, he was a crucial contributor, stepping up when the rest of the receiving corps failed to make a single catch until the second half.

Stephen Dix Jr.

The redshirt senior had an outstanding game on Saturday. Alongside senior defensive back Jayden Johnson, Dix led the team with 10 tackles each, including five solo tackles from Dix. Before his strong showing against UAB, the Marshall transfer had only recorded four tackles in the first two games. In a game where much of the defense appeared mentally drained, Dix consistently stepped up, making crucial plays. If he can maintain this level of performance each week, the linebacker unit will have a solid three-man rotation with him, Xavian Sorey, and Brad Spence.

Duds
The Defensive Line

The defensive line was expected to be the backbone of Arkansas’s defense during tough times, but that hasn’t been the reality. Some may point fingers at preseason All-SEC pick Landon Jackson, who has only recorded eight tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and two QB hurries. As last season’s sack leader, many expected him to have at least one by now. However, upon reviewing the game film, it’s clear he’s being double-teamed nearly every snap.

This is when the other linemen need to step up. Where’s Cam Ball? Where’s Eric Gregory? What about Nico Davillier and FCS sack leader Anton Juncaj? So far, only Gregory has managed to record a sack. While there have been a few QB hurries from Davillier, Gregory, and Jackson, the lineman with the most hurries, Quincy Rhodes Jr., hardly sees playing time, having hurries in just two games. While the defensive line isn’t solely to blame for the lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, it’s been a significant factor. Opponents have been able to march down the field using quick passes, exploiting gaps in the secondary, but that doesn’t excuse the line’s lack of production so far.

Taylen Green

The passing game against UAB was lackluster. Without Andrew Armstrong’s contributions, the Blazers might have easily defeated Arkansas. Taylen Green’s performance was subpar, going 11-for-26 (42%) with 161 yards and an interception. His passer rating was 86.6, and his adjusted QB rating was just 50.8. While Green excelled on the ground, rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns, he struggled with making quick reads and accuracy issues.

Another concern is Green’s tendency to go for deep shots on nearly every play. This has impacted the production of Luke Hasz, who has only managed five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. As a tight end, Hasz often runs check-down routes, but Green hasn’t targeted him frequently. The silver lining is that most of Green’s issues are coachable. Hopefully, this week’s performance serves as a wake-up call for him.

Doneiko Slaughter

Arkansas’s secondary sorely missed Jaylen Braxton and Hudson Clark in their game against UAB. The Blazers took full advantage, particularly targeting Doneiko Slaughter. Last week, Slaughter struggled with penalties that helped keep Oklahoma State in the game. It seems that Trent Dilfer and his staff identified him as a weak link in the Arkansas secondary.

Surprisingly, Slaughter’s stat line looks decent, as he recorded seven tackles (two solo) and a pass breakup, placing him fourth on the team in stops. However, as a defensive back, these numbers don’t always reflect a solid performance. Slaughter was targeted frequently and allowed several long plays. While one might argue that Braxton or Clark could have made a difference, there’s no excuse for his performance. As the competition intensifies, Slaughter will need to significantly improve.