North Alabama LionsvsArkansas Razorbacks
UNA 14/ARK 31
Things to say
Arkansas beat North Alabama 31-14 at home to open the season 1-0.
01
opener
Arkansas handled North Alabama 31-14. It was 21-0 before UNA got on the board. Never really in doubt after the first quarter.
02
key player
KJ Jackson was slinging it — 24 of 35 for 267 and three touchdowns. One pick, but you take that line all day in a season opener.
03
hot take
Three passing touchdowns and the run game barely got going. Russell had 17 carries for 49 yards. They better find some push before SEC play.
04
deep cut
Xavier Johnson quietly had 82 yards on six catches for the Lions. UNA moved the ball a little, they just couldn't finish in the red zone.
05
exit
Tune-up game, nothing more. The real test is when the conference schedule shows up.
The recap
Arkansas jumped all over North Alabama early, with KJ Jackson slinging three touchdown passes to spread the ball around and stake the Hogs to a 21-0 lead before the Lions ever found the end zone. Once you're down three scores to an SEC team, garbage-time comebacks don't happen, and North Alabama's two Destin Wade rushing scores just made the final look closer than it was.
Jackson was the story, carving up an overmatched defense while Braylen Russell punched one in on the ground to keep things smashmouth. Arkansas takes care of business in the opener, 31-14, and moves to 1-0 without breaking much of a sweat.