FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas football team overcame a first-half deficit and a pair of ejections to key defenders to defeat Rice 38-17 on Saturday.
Senior linebacker Grant Morgan was called for targeting halfway through the first quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Rice quarterback Wiley Green. Senior linebacker Bumper Pool was also ejected for targeting with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Morgan will be able to return for the start of the Razorbacks' game against No. 21 Texas on Saturday. Pool will have to miss the first of the game against the Longhorns.
After Morgan’s ejection, Rice closed the first half with 10 straight points to take a 10-7 halftime lead.
Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon, who was suspended for targeting twice during the 2020 season, praised redshirt junior linebacker Andrew Parker’s ability to step up in Morgan's absence.
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“I know grant did not mean to do that, but you have to deal with what (the punishment) is and move on,” Catalon said. “I’ve always told (Parker) that your number is coming and when it comes, make sure you are ready, because you never know what is going to happen.
“After seeing our linebackers play today, I think we are flexible enough to do whatever and be just fine."
Parker filled Morgan’s role with aplomb, racking up four tackles and two quarterback hurries. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said he did not notice much drop off in the quality of his defense following Morgan’s ejection.
“I think the biggest thing that has happened with us is that we have Andrew Parker now playing some good ball for us,” Pittman said. “Kids are supposed to get better and he did. I think we are getting better depth there.”
Parker’s progression proved to be more critical when Pool was ejected for a hit on Rice receiver Jake Bailey. The Razorbacks held Rice scoreless for the final 25 minutes, despite playing without its top two tacklers from last season for most of the fourth quarter.
Pool led the Razorbacks with 14 tackles before his ejection Saturday.
Pittman hesitated to discuss the targeting calls, but displayed disappointment in the disqualifications of the senior leaders.
“It is unfortunate, (but) we have got to keep our head out of there,” Pittman said of the hits.