Whatever hopes the University of Arkansas had of securing a homecoming victory Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium were thwarted quickly.
But that didn't mean the UA fans who stuck around in the second half didn't get a bit of a thrill.
Mississippi State scored the game's first 17 points, but the Razorbacks (2-7, 0-6 SEC) showed some life with freshman QBs John Stephen Jones and KJ Jefferson in a 54-24 loss to the Bulldogs.
Senior Ben Hicks was ineffective for Arkansas, and John Stephen Jones replaced him toward the end of the first half with the Hogs trailing 38-10. Jefferson's first snaps as a Razorback took place in the fourth quarter, and ended with a rousing touchdown drive.
The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-4) gouged the Razorbacks on the game's opening possession. QB Tommy Stevens scrambled for 15 yards on second and 14, and RB Kylin Hill busted through for a 62-yard gain on the ground to the UA 3. Two plays later, Hill finished off the drive with a 4-yard TD run.
Arkansas gained one first down on Rakeem Boyd's 22-yard run, then punted.
Mississippi State took over at its own 20 and embarked on an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Hill gained the yard he needed on fourth and 1 from the UA 34, and Stevens connected with Osirus Mitchell for a 33-yard TD on the next play for a 14-0 edge with 5:31 left in the first quarter.
The Razorbacks went three and out, and they were without a completed pass on both of their initial possessions.
Mississippi State increased its advantage to 17-0 on Jace Christmann's 26-yard FG after driving 68 yards on 11 plays. The Bulldogs combined for 230 yards in 28 plays on their first three drives. Arkansas had 38 yards on 10 plays on their first three drives after another three and out.
Arkansas' defense registered its first stop when CB Jarques McClellion broke up a third and 8 pass, and the Razorbacks took over their own 39 after a 50-yard punt.
After Hicks connected with Trey Knox for a 9-yard pass, Boyd broke a 52-yard TD run to cut the deficit to 17-7 with 10:24 left in the first half.
The momentum was short-lived. Hill gained 7 and 37 yards on back-to-back runs to the UA 31, and Stevens completed a 27-yard pass Isaiah Zumber to the 4. On third and goal, Hill scored from 2 yards out for a 24-7 edge.
Hicks found TE Grayson Gunter for a 23-yard connection, but the drive stalled and Sam Loy punted from the UA 45. Mississippi State's Malik Dear called for a fair catch but fumbled the ball, and Jordan Silver recovered for Arkansas at the Bulldogs' 23.
Boyd ran for 1 yard, and Hicks threw incomplete twice, including once where it was ruled he was intercepted but was overturned on review. Connor Limpert's 40-yard FG cut the deficit to 24-10 with 5:00 left in the first half.
Hill ran for 58 yards, and Nick Gibson broke off 21 yards of his own on the ground to the UA 5. On third and goal from the 1, Hill scored his third rushing touchdown for a 31-10 advantage.
On third and 6, Hicks threw a pick-six to Marcus Murphy to put Mississippi State up 38-10 with 1:59 left in the half.
With Hicks 4-of-13 passing for 44 yards and the interception, the Razorbacks turned to John Stephen Jones, who completed his first pass to Chase Harrell for 6 yards, but threw incomplete on the next two.
Mississippi State outgained Arkansas 398-141 in the first half, as Hill ran 13 times for 198 yards and 3 TDs. Stevens chipped in with 60 yards rushing and 86 yards passing in the first half.
Boyd had 89 of the Razorbacks' 141 yards on 7 carries in the first half.
Jones opened at QB in the second half, but the Hogs went three and out and punted away.
The Bulldogs scored again on a 6-play, 66-yard drive. Stevens found Deddrick Thomas for 42 yards on a third-and-5 play to the UA 19, and Stevens connected with Farrod Green for a 3-yard TD pass and 45-10 advantage.
Jones then led the Razorbacks on their first sustained drive of the day, which started at their own 41. The Razorbacks maneuvered 50 yards to set up a fourth and 8 from the Bulldogs' 11. Jones found WR Mike Woods in one-on-one coverage and threw a perfect pass over his shoulder toward the back corner of the end zone for a TD, cutting the deficit to 45-17 with 4:03 left in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs responded with a 13-play, 47-yard drive that chewed up 7:23 and led to Christmann's 46-yard FG for a 48-17 lead with 11:40 left in the game.
Jefferson then emerged from the sideline, and he ran up the middle for 21 yards on his first snap. Boyd followed with a 17-yard run, then Jefferson connected with Treylon Burks for 32 yards to the Mississippi State 5. Jefferson ran it in on the next play to pull the Hogs within 48-24.
The Bulldogs were not deterred, covering 75 yards on three plays, capped by Gibson's 47-yard TD run for 54-24 lead with 8:22 left.
On third and 10 on the Hogs next possession, freshman A'Montae Spivey fumbled on a run, and the Bulldogs recovered at their own 49.
For the game, the Razorbacks were outgained 640-285. The Bulldogs amassed 460 rushing yards on 57 carries.
Jones finished his day 4-of-9 passing for 25 yards and 1 touchdown, and Jefferson was 1 of 2 for 32 yards. Jefferson also had 2 carries for 26 yards.
UA senior TE Cheyenne O'Grady was suspended for the game for disciplinary reasons.
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