FAYETTEVILLE — Below is an analysis of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson's third career start after a re-watch of the Rice game:
KJ Jefferson vs. Rice
At/Behind LOS: 2/3, 16 yards
1-5 yards: 6/7, 46 yards, INT
6-10 yards: 2/7, 19 yards, TD
11-15 yards: 0/2, 0 yards
16+ yards: 2/2, 47 yards
Rushing: 9 carries, 89 yards, 2 TDs
Pro Football Focus overall grade: 69.2 (No. 69 among FBS quarterbacks)
Pro Football Focus passing grade: 52.7 (No. 102 among FBS quarterbacks)
Pro Football Focus running grade: 82.5 (No. 2 among FBS quarterbacks)
Best throw: Jefferson saved his top throw for last. His 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyson Morris in the back-left corner of the end zone to put the season opener out of reach was him at his best. He rolled left, lured a defender into a pass-blocking Raheim Sanders and hit Morris with a chest-high ball.
Worst throw: The lowlight of Jefferson’s day was his interception in the second quarter. Rolling to his right to escape pressure, he would have been better off throwing the ball away. Instead, he tried to fire a fastball into a tight window and Rice wound up with prime field position. Freshman receiver Ketron Jackson was the target on the play and he was 4 yards downfield.
Accurate passes: 11
Inaccurate passes: 4
• Incomplete intended for Treylon Burks 6 yards downfield; the pass sailed high.
• Incomplete intended for Burks 13 yards downfield; the pass sailed high.
• Completed pass to De’Vion Warren 10 yards downfield; the pass was low and perhaps a bit overthrown to fit the window Jefferson saw.
• Incomplete intended for Warren 8 yards downfield at the goal line; the ball was too hot and too high for the shorter receiver.
Intercept-able passes (attempts that could've been picked off but weren't): 0
Interceptions: 1
Throwaways: 1
Passes broken up: 1
• Incomplete for Warren 7 yards downfield on his second attempt of the game.
Drops: 3 (Burks 2, Warren 1)
Analysis: Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was blunt Monday when discussing Jefferson’s early performance in the Razorbacks’ season opener against Rice. Making just his third career start, Jefferson struggled in the beginning stages and his throws did not inspire confidence. His first four attempts in the game including two inaccurate throws, a pass breakup and a drop.
But when Arkansas needed to kick it in gear offensively, Jefferson was able to lead the charge. His 31-yard completion to Tyson Morris — the first true deep ball of the game — rejuvenated the unit. Jefferson punctuated the drive, which began a string of 31 unanswered points, with his second touchdown run of the game.
The general feel after Week 1 is that Jefferson is more than capable of making teams pay with his feet. But mechanics and footwork in the pocket, which led to passes that sailed, can stand improvement.
Jefferson did not push the ball vertically in the passing game often. Only four of his throws were 11-plus yards at depth, and 14 of his 21 attempts were within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Arkansas kept things simple through the air for the most part, and Jefferson presented opportunities for receivers to pick up yardage after the catch. Treylon Burks led the way with 29 yards after the catch, followed by tight end Blake Kern’s 14, Morris’ 6 and De’Vion Warren’s 3.
Jefferson’s numbers on attempts 6 to 10 yards downfield are a bit misleading. Of the three drops Razorbacks receivers had in the game, two came in this range — one apiece by Burks and Warren. Just by making the catch, he would have had two more completions to his credit and at least 16 more passing yards. Jefferson’s lone incompletion targeting a player at or behind the line of scrimmage was a Burks drop.
In the run game, he was exciting to watch. Jefferson looked to have made sound reads, and once he pulled the ball to run was more than a handful for Rice. He outran multiple angles that Owls defenders had on him on both his 34-yard touchdown run and 68-yard run that was negated by a penalty. Jefferson’s first rushing score reminded in some ways of former Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. He has a great feel when stretching his legs, and he properly read blocks by receivers and got upfield. There is an effortlessness about Jefferson’s runs in space.
Overall, it was not an awe-inspiring showing for Jefferson throwing the ball and there are kinks to work out. But he had moments in which he dazzled and showcased why he is undoubtedly Pittman’s No. 1 quarterback.