Did the Hogs have a horrific Halloween?

The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3, SEC) loaded the buses and crossed state lines to renew their annual Southwest Classic versus the Texas A&M Aggies, who have won the last eight meetings between the two teams.

The Hogs entered the game as a 14.5 point underdog, justified by their losing record and the Aggies being a ranked 4-1 team who consistently claims an SEC West heavyweight. Heading into College Station, a win for Arkansas against a ranked conference opponent could validate that their record is not a direct reflection of their improvements on the field.

Although the Razorbacks struck first, the Aggies would change the game trend and dominate the first and second quarters, scoring 21 unanswered points before a late second-quarter touchdown from the Hogs, only to be reciprocated by another Aggies seven-point possession to cap off the first half.

Out of the locker room, the third quarter produced little action from Arkansas, only tagging on a field goal to their first-half efforts. Meanwhile, A&M would duplicate their first and second quarter play by putting up 14 in a quarter for the third time in the game.

With the Hogs being down 42-24 heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation, it was imperative that they needed to optimize their time of possession while minimizing the Aggies’ downs. Despite their defensive efforts, holding Texas A&M to no scores in the fourth quarter, time would prevail as the Hogs failed to beat the clock, giving the Aggies another win in the series and on the season.

Razorback quarterback Feleipe Franks went 23-31 with 239 yards through the air, accounting for three passing touchdowns. Heisman prospect Kellen Mond tallied similar stats, going 21 for 26 for 260 yards and three TDs for the Aggies. Hogs’ tailback Rakeem Boyd hit the centennial mark and recorded a rushing touchdown. Up-and-coming Razorback receiver Treylon Burks caught seven passes for 117 yards, two of those catches for six points each.

In post-game interviews, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt said of Franks, “Feleipe is a great athlete. He’s got the experience and making a lot of plays for [the Razorbacks].” Pruitt also says he has a past with Franks, as he tried to recruit him back in Franks’ junior high years while Pruitt was coaching at Florida State. The two teams will match up Nov. 7 in Fayetteville in a primetime SEC network game, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.