FAYETTEVILLE- The Arkansas Razorbacks got a much-needed win on Saturday in non-conference game against Florida International. The Hogs defeated FIU by the score of 44-20.
Arkansas quarterback K J Jefferson broke the all-time Razorbacks record for career touchdown passes. At the 12:22 mark in the first quarter, Jefferson hit Jaedon Wilson with a ten-yard touchdown pass to break the record.
Arkansas now turns their attention to hosting Missouri on a short week. The Hogs will host the Tigers on Friday for Senior Day.
Here are some final notes and comments on the Arkansas victory over Florida International as provided by the University of Arkansas:
QB KJ Jefferson has logged 11 career games with at least three passing touchdowns. Jefferson completed 15 of 28 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
» QB KJ Jefferson became the school’s leader in passing yards (7,909) and passing touchdowns (67).
» QB KJ Jefferson has thrown for multiple scores in 22 career games.
» WR Andrew Armstrong has recorded at least one catch in 27 consecutive games dating back to his 2021 campaign at Texas A&M-Commerce.
» True freshman RB Isaiah Augustave recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game. Augustave totaled career highs in carries (14) and rushing yards (101).
» RB Isaiah Augustave is the first Arkansas true freshman RB to tally 100 yards on the ground in a single game since RB Rashod Dubinion did in the Liberty Bowl against Kansas on Dec. 28, 2022.
» Arkansas rushed for a season-high 323 yards. It is Arkansas’ most rushing yards since putting up 394 yards on the ground in the 2022 Liberty Bowl vs. Kansas.
» RB Dominique Johnson’s rushing touchdown is the eighth of his career and his first since at Alabama on Nov. 20, 2021.
» DB Al Walcott is the first Arkansas defender with two interceptions, including an interception return touchdown, in a game since DB Chris Houston did so at Mississippi State in 2006. The feat was also Walcott’s first career game with multiple interceptions. Walcott finished with five tackles and two interceptions.
» DB Al Walcott registered his second game of the season with an interception return touchdown.
» DB Al Walcott’s interception return touchdown is Arkansas’ nation-leading fifth defensive touchdown (4 INT TD, 1 FR TD) of the season.
» Arkansas’ four interception return touchdowns this season are the most since recording four in 2016.
» K Cam Little’s 53 career field goals ties for third-most in school history.
» Under head coach Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks are 12-2 overall against non-conference
0pponents, including a 9-2 mark against non-conference FBS opponents.
ARKANSAS QUOTES
Sam Pittman, Arkansas Head Coach
Opening statement:
“It was nice to get a win for our crowd. Coming in from the Hog Walk, they were exceptional, and I appreciate the noise. Our fans helped us win the game. I felt like they were a big part of it and want to thank them for coming out and supporting their football team.”
On the run game and O-Line…
“Any game, whether it’s game one or 11, very happy to get 300 yards. I think we averaged, it looks like, six yards a carry or something like that. I was proud of Isaiah [Augustave]. I mean he
ran unbelievably. We handed it off one time in what really should’ve been a dead play and he got 12 yards on it. Proud of the offensive line and the runners. Obviously, we’ve got some injuries
there and KJ is a big part of the running as well. It was good to see [Dominique Johnson] come in and split that up with a big time hole there on fourth and two, but to go down there and split it for 31 yards, it’s good to see him back.”
On being down early…
“Oh, I think everyone’s gonna get down six points every now and then and we were just trying to figure out how to rush the football, protect it. We were giving up some big plays, so we need
to stop that. We had some bad penalties too; special teams were costing us position. We had a penalty on a late hit or a low hit. We were talking about how we could stop hurting ourselves. I
think we had four penalties in the first half, but there really wasn’t anything magical about being down six that we did to be honest with you.”
On KJ’s performance this season and setting two new records…
“I think he’s handled the season well. He competed tonight for us. I’m really happy. We recognized him after the game for being the all-time passing yards leader and in passing touchdowns. I know it meant a lot to him and it meant a lot to us. We’ve been able to have him for four years now. Feleipe Franks was here tonight too, that was cool, for him to come back and witness all that too. I know it wasn’t his record, but it was really neat that he was able to come back. KJ has meant a lot to our program, he’s gonna mean a lot to us next Friday too, I’m just really, really happy for him.”
On Mizzou:
“l you know it’s a rivalry game, and they’ve got a really, really good team. They do. We’ve got a lot of respect for their program. I think in a rivalry, you never know what happens. We’ll have
our kids prepared and I know they will as well. I’m excited about having the opportunity to play them.”
Isaiah Augustave, Arkansas RB
What were your thoughts when Dominique Johnson got his touchdown run and what kind of impression has he made on you in your first year here? “I was happy for him; I know he really wanted that touchdown, and I wanted it for him.”
What’s this year been like for you, having not run the ball since the first game this year and only getting on the field for special teams? “I’ve just really been patient, learning from all the other guys in front of me and getting prepared for this moment.”
KJ Jefferson, Arkansas QB
On setting two new program records in one night: “It started with my teammates, them believing in me and me believing in them. Those guys just putting the ball in great spots and let me make plays. Let them be who they are, so extreme shout-out to them. And it’s by the grace of God as well, he’s given me a gift and I’m taking advantage and using it to the best of my abilities.”
On how it feels to break the records in a win:
“It a whole lot better. It’s a better feeling. It’s almost surreal, it’s a surreal moment just to be able to come here. That’s a milestone for me. It was one of my goals to come in and make sure I
go down in the record books and make history here. So it was just a surreal moment. Like I said, I just thank my teammates for always believing in me and making plays for me as well, and
me just trusting in those guys.”
On Dominique Johnson’s TD
“It was a big deal. There was actually confrontation on that play as well. The play was called, it was a designed quarterback run, but I was like, ‘Domo we got two yards, I need you to go get it
right here.’ So I get it to him and the O-line did a great job up front handling movement and creating a line for him to run through. He made the most of it. I was extremely proud. I mean the
whole team was. With the adversity he’s faced with his injury and him continuing to battle and keep fighting, it was a surreal moment for him as well. The whole team was extremely proud of
him as well.”
Brady Latham, Arkansas CB
What was the key to dominating after a slow start?
“It was really nice having a win like that. The locker room was awesome and really enjoyable. I think the key was to keep working, Coach Pittman says all the time that when things aren’t
going your way to keep fighting. I feel like that’s what we did tonight.”
Note to Our Readers: Portions of the previous story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Grace Taffola.
