Instant replay

Bulldogs no match for Agim

Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (3) leads several defenders in tackling Mississippi State receiver Jesse Jackson (86) during a game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Razorbacks sophomore defensive end McTelvin "Sosa" Agim was a force on Saturday against Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs won 28-21, but Agim did his part to give the Razorbacks a shot to win as he finished with 9 tackles, including 2½ for losses of 13 yards, and forced 2 fumbles.

"Sosa has grown every game," Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema said. "He's a very, very talented player, but maturity-wise is the part that's exciting for our guys.

"He's understanding the big picture really, really well."

Agim forced a fumble by Mississippi State running back Nick Gibson that defensive end Briston Guidry recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.

"I shot the gap," Agim said. "I felt like I'd overrun it, but he ran right into me. I was able to punch the ball out while hitting him."

The Razorbacks held Mississippi State to 348 yards in total offense after the Bulldogs gained 330 against No. 1 Alabama last week.

"We felt like we did good against their offense today," Agim said. "We felt like we held them pretty well.

"But we just gave up too many big plays, too many touchdowns. And that's been the story all year."

Kelley update

Sophomore quarterback Cole Kelley watched the game from Arkansas' student section after being indefinitely suspended as a result of his arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated last Sunday.

Coach Bret Bielema said Kelley should be reinstated to the team this week and be available to play against Missouri on Friday.

"I know he was down during the course of the week, had some communication with him," Bielema said. "But if he checks all the boxes that I asked him to check before this week was over -- which I think he's done, I've seen him making contact with all the people he has to -- he'll be back with us on Sunday and be able to engage with us the last week."

O-line banged up

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, which came into the game down two offensive linemen with the losses of center Frank Ragnow (ankle) and Ty Clary (knee), had to do some more shuffling because of injuries in Saturday' game.

Center Zach Rogers, who has started the past four games since Ragnow suffered a season-ending injury against Auburn, went out for a series in the second quarter and was replaced by Jake Raulerson.

Then starting left guard Hjatle Froholdt reinjured his left ankle. Starting right guard Johnny Gibson moved to left guard and Dylan Hays -- a walk-on from Little Rock Christian who played nose guard earlier this season before moving to the offensive line three weeks ago -- came in at right guard.

Rogers returned later in the second quarter, allowing Raulerson to move from center to left guard with Gibson going back to right guard.

In the third quarter when Rogers couldn't go, Raulerson was back at center, Gibson at right guard and Hays at left guard.

"I thought they played well," quarterback Austin Allen said of the makeshift offensive line. "I thought they played hard.

"Any time guys go down, people need to step up and I thought they did a good job. We'll see how those guys are feeling this week on a short week."

Injury report

Kickoff returner and receiver De'Vion Warren suffered a concussion on a running play in the second quarter and didn't return.

"De'Vion really got hit pretty good over there on that boundary shot and knocked him out," Coach Bret Bielema said. "He was concussed, so we obviously had to pull him out."

Starting left guard Hjalte Froholdt aggravated a left ankle injury he suffered at LSU last week. He went out in the first half and couldn't return. After the game, he was wearing a walking boot.

"Hjalte, bless his heart, tried to go out there today and just couldn't maintain it, sustain it," Coach Bret Bielema said. "He did everything he could to get back out there."

Senior quarterback Austin Allen injured his knee but went back into the game.

"I know it's getting down to the end for him here," Bielema said. "I know he was going to do everything he could to be back out there."

Allen said he wasn't seriously injured.

"I'm fine," he said. "I just got rolled up a little bit."

Defensive TD

Arkansas redshirt freshman defensive end Briston Guidry recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown that put the Razorbacks ahead 14-0 in the first quarter.

The fumble was caused by end McTelvin Agim and was the third touchdown scored by Arkansas' defense this season.

Cornerback Henre Toliver scored on a fumble return against Florida A&M, and nickel back Kevin Richardson scored on a fumble return at Ole Miss.

Giving Ty a try

With backup quarterback Cole Kelley suspended indefinitely, Arkansas gave Ty Storey a try in a running package in the second quarter.

It didn't work.

Storey came in for Austin Allen on third and 2 from the Arkansas 20, took a Shotgun snap and was tackled for a 5-yard loss by linebacker Marquiss Spencer, who was in the backfield about as quickly as the ball.

"They gave us a different stem right at the last moment," Bret Bielema said. "We should've had some guys blocking down and would've made the play, bounce to the outside."

Bielema said Storey had run the play well in practice.

"He has a lot invested and has been waiting for his opportunity, so we really wanted to try to give him a rep out there today," Bielema said. "And the way that first play worked made us a little hesitant to go back to it."

Vs. Mississippi State

Arkansas used to own Mississippi State. Not anymore.

The Bulldogs beat the Razorbacks for the fifth time in six games to cut the Razorbacks' series lead to 16-11-1.

Arkansas beat Mississippi State nine consecutive games from 1999 through 2007.Exactly half

Mississippi State, No. 16 in the College Football Playoff poll, was the 31st nationally-ranked opponent Bret Bielema has faced in his 62 games as Arkansas' coach.

The Razorbacks are 7-24 against ranked teams, including 6-22 against SEC teams.

No targeting

Arkansas defensive lineman Briston Guidry was called for targeting with 9:34 left in the third quarter, which would have resulted in his ejection if the call had been upheld after a video review.

The call was overturned on review after replays showed Guidry hitting quarterback Nick Fitzgerald in the shoulder, not in the head.

Flag bearers

Junior fullback Kendrick Jackson carried the United States flag and junior tight end Jack Kraus carried the Arkansas flag when the Razorbacks ran onto the field.

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Sports on 11/19/2017