UPDATE: Arkansas suffered a heartbreaking 38-35 loss to Mississippi State on November 4, 2023, in a game marred by controversial officiating that left fans and players frustrated. The Razorbacks held a 35-21 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining but were unable to secure the victory as the Bulldogs capitalized on a series of penalties.
The game, played at Razorback Stadium in front of 68,358 fans, saw Arkansas penalized a staggering 18 times for 193 yards, while Mississippi State faced only four penalties totaling 30 yards. This disparity played a crucial role in the game’s outcome, according to many observers.
Coach Bobby Petrino expressed his frustration about the officiating, stating, “That’s a hard game to take. I felt like our guys played hard and I felt like they played good football. There were some things outside of football that hurt us that I can’t quite understand.”
The Razorbacks appeared to be in control, but the momentum shifted dramatically when Mississippi State scored 17 unanswered points in the final quarter. The Bulldogs’ comeback began with a 3-yard touchdown run by Davon Booth, narrowing the gap to 35-28 with 10:16 left.
After a missed field goal attempt by Kyle Ferrie, Arkansas was penalized for running into the kicker, allowing Ferrie a second chance from 46 yards, which he converted to bring Mississippi State within 35-31.
With less than three minutes remaining, Mississippi State seized the lead when quarterback Blake Shapen connected with Anthony Evans III for an 18-yard touchdown on a critical fourth-and-4 play.
Arkansas had previously tied the game at 13-13 in the first half and led by 28-14 after impressive scoring drives, including a stunning 20-yard touchdown run by Mike Washington. However, the total penalties hampered their progress and ultimately led to their demise.
The Razorbacks now sit at 2-7 overall and 0-5 in the SEC. They will have a bye week before facing LSU on November 18, 2023. Petrino confirmed the team would take time to regroup, stating, “We’ll take tomorrow and come in Monday and watch the video.”
Mississippi State, now 5-4 overall and 1-4 in the SEC, celebrated their first conference win of the season. As the teams look ahead, all eyes will be on Arkansas as they attempt to bounce back against formidable opponents.
The emotional toll of this game and the contentious officiating will likely be a topic of discussion as fans and analysts dissect every moment leading to the Razorbacks’ disappointing finish.
