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Zybek PD3X AKA "Official"
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Data Scout Notes: 2023: NAC...12-18-23 Transfer from Arkansas...NAC...2022: NAC...(+) Coming off Nov 2022 Shoulder INJ...PUnitas/PManning/PMaxwell/PDaveyOBrien...2021: NAC...2020: NAC
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Arkansas has set key dates for its spring football practice. The Razorbacks are scheduled to begin the practice season March 9 and have scheduled their spring game for April 15 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The spring game is scheduled to begin at noon, but TV and streaming details have yet to be announced. The spring game was scheduled to coincide with a home softball game against Alabama-Birmingham and a home baseball game against Tennessee later that day.Festivities will begin that morning w ith live music and food trucks as part of HogTown north of the stadium. Admission to the spring game and HogTown will be free. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said last week the team will practice five times prior to the university's spring break, which is sc heduled for March 20-24, then complete the 15-practice season after classes resume March 27. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025  QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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The Razorbacks are coming off a season in which the offense showed incredible balance, with 3,077 rushing yards and 3,051 passing yards en route to the No. 16 rank in total offense in the FBS with 471.4 total yards per game. Arkansas produced 6,128 total yards, the second-highest figure in school history behind 6,273 yards in 2010. Jefferson, who announced in December he is returning for his senior season, is eighth in the country in passer efficiency. Jefferson's 68% completions in 2022 is the second-h ighest single-season mark at Arkansas behind Feleipe Franks' school record of 68.5% set in 2020 in Briles' first season as offensive coordinator. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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Arkansas and Kansas met for the first time in 116 years, and the Razorbacks used an old-school rushing attack to prevail. Arkansas gained 394 of its 681 total yards on the ground. Dubinion added 112 yards for the Razorbacks. Kansas (6-7) played in its fi rst bowl game since 2008 but was unable to stop a late-season streak in which it lost seven of its past eight games. Kansas quarterback Daniels passed for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He set Liberty Bowl records for passing yards, touchdown passes, com pletions (37) and total touchdowns scored (six). KJ Jefferson passed to Rashod Dubinion for a 2-point conversion in the third overtime and Arkansas held off a furious second-half rally by Kansas for a 55-53 win at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Wednesday n ight.The Jayhawks rallied from 25 points down in the second half to force overtime, but a failed 2-point conversion pass from Jason Bean to Lawrence Arnold ended a four-and-a-half hour bowl marathon. "We got lucky at the end, but we're Liberty Bow l champs and I'm pretty excited," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. It looked like Bean had room to run instead of throwing it out of the end zone, and Pittman said his team was ready for either. "I told them to go after him. I wanted to go after him," Pi ttman said. "We weren't being able to man them up. I wanted to go put some pressure on them. We got lucky there at the end. We're Liberty Bowl champs. I'm just excited as I could be." Arkansas (7-6) celebrated the win prematurely in the second overtime a fter stopping Kanas quarterback Jalon Daniels just shy of the goal line on a 2-point conversion try. But a targeting call on Arkansas' Quincey McAdoo gave the Jayhawks another play, and they converted. Jefferson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns an d rushed for 130 yards and two more scores to lead the Razorbacks, who won despite missing many players who had critical roles during the season. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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University of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson warmed hearts on a cold day across the state by announcing on Friday he would return for his senior season in 2023. The draft-eligible redshirt junior from Sardis, Miss., has emerged as one of the nation's top quarterbacks in two seasons as the Arkansas starter. The Razorbacks are 15-8 in games Jefferson has started since the 6-3, 242-pounder took the reins in 2021. In the two games Jefferson missed this year, due to a concussion and a shoulder injury, res pectively, the Razorbacks averaged 366 yards and 13.5 points in a 40-17 loss at Mississippi State and a 13-10 home loss to LSU.With Jefferson in the lineup, the Razorbacks went 6-4, lost three games by two points and averaged 471.3 yards and 34.1 points per game. Jefferson has advanced into the top 10 in the UA record books in multiple categories, including fourth in touchdown responsibility with 63. The dual-threat quarterback owns the second- and third-best completion-percentage seasons in Arka nsas history with his 68.3% this year and 67.3% in 2021. Feleipe Franks holds the school record with 68.5% completions in 2020. Jefferson can challenge that record with a strong performance in the Razorbacks' bowl game. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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KJ Jefferson ran for two touchdowns and passed for a third and Raheim Sanders rushed for 171 yards to lead Arkansas to a 41-27 victory over Auburn on Saturday in a battle to escape the bottom of the Southeastern Conference Western Division. The Razorback s (5-3, 2-3 SEC) snapped a six-game losing streak versus the Tigers (3-5, 1-4), who have dropped four games in a row. The two teams came into the day tied with Texas A&M for last in the SEC West. But Auburn couldn't stop Jefferson and Sanders or produce scores on offense when the game was still in doubt. Much of Jordan-Hare Stadium had emptied before the Tigers' final two touchdowns that served to make the final score more respectable.Sanders set up the decisive touchdown with a 76-yard scamper d own the left sideline late in the third quarter. Rashod Dubinion then scored the first of his two late touchdowns. Jefferson completed 16 of 24 passes for 234 yards and stiff-armed safety Zion Puckett to the ground on his way to a 13-yard touchdown run. Matt Landers caught four passes for 115 yards. Auburn's Robby Ashford was 24-of-33 passing for 285 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 19 times for 87 yards. Tailback Tank Bigsby was mostly contained aside from a 41-yard touchdown run. Things snowballed for the Tigers after their opening drive of the third quarter stalled and then ended with Isaiah Nichols' blocked field goal, while down just 17-13. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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KJ Jefferson threw for 367 yards and a career-high five touchdowns to lead Arkansas to a 52-35 victory over BYU on Saturday. Raheim Sanders added 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground for Arkansas (4-3), which snapped a three-game losing strea k after rolling up 644 total yards on the Cougars. Third-down efficiency contributed greatly to fueling the Razorbacks' potent offensive showing. Arkansas went 12-of-14 on third down. Jaren Hall threw for a career-high 356 yards and three touchdowns to l ead BYU (4-3). Puka Nacua had 141 receiving yards and Kody Epps added 125 receiving yards for the Cougars. Nacua also scored three touchdowns.BYU tallied 471 total yards, but the Cougars lost their second straight game after repeatedly allowing qu ick scoring drives and committing three turnovers. BYU cut the deficit to 38-35 on a 33-yard catch by Nacua in the third quarter. Arkansas rallied with back-to-back touchdowns – culminating in a 64-yard scamper down the sidelines by Sanders – that ex tended its lead to 52-35 early in the fourth. Hall picked apart the Arkansas defense early in the first half. He threw a pair of first quarter touchdown passes to give the Cougars a 13-7 lead. Nacua's 31-yard grab along the sideline on 4th-and-8 set up t he first score. Kody Epps dashed in for BYU's second touchdown on a 21-yard catch-and-run. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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The playing status of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson for Saturday's 11 a.m. game at No. 23 Mississippi State will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis through the course of the week, Coach Sam Pittman said Monday. On Saturday, Jefferson hit his helmet o n the field during a fourth-quarter sack, missed one play, threw an incomplete pass on the next play, then did not return for the last 6:55 of the Razorbacks' 49-26 loss to No. 2 Alabama. Cade Fortin, a senior transfer from South Florida, finished Arkans as' final two drives. Pittman did not confirm Jefferson was in the team's concussion protocols at his weekly news conference Monday, but his comments suggest that is the case. "He has some mild symptoms," Pittman said. "Those are things that our doctors look at. Each kid is a little bit different with how they react. "We've had guys back within three-four days. We've had guys out for 27 days. He's kind of a wait-and-see to be honest with you." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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KJ Jefferson threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 62 yards and another score to lead No. 19 Arkansas past No. 23 Cincinnati, 31-24, on Saturday. Jefferson ran for the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter, threw a jump- pass touchdown to Trey Knox in the second and found Jadon Haselwood for another score in the third. Cincinnati was held scoreless in the first half despite four of its seven drives reaching Arkansas territory. Bearcats kicker Ryan Coe missed two field go als, from 25 and 48 yards, and Ben Bryant threw an interception at the Arkansas 20 that ultimately turned into the Razorbacks' first trip to the end zone.Bryant was better in the second half, leading Cincinnati to scoring drives on its first two p ossessions of the half. But trailing by seven points and with the ball on the Razorbacks 39, he was strip-sacked by Jordan Dominick and Arkansas recovered. Jefferson threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Knox two plays later for his fourth score of the game. Arkansas running back Rocket Sanders ran for 117 yards on 20 carries for the sophomore's second career 100-yard game. Knox caught six passes for 75 yards and the two touchdowns. Bryant, a transfer from Eastern Michigan who wasn't announced as the starte r until before kickoff, was 26 of 43 passing for 325 yards and two touchdowns with the one interception. His 15-yard throw to Leonard Taylor with 5:49 left created the final margin. Jefferson completed 18 of his 26 throws to reach his 223-yard mark. - Ar kansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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ESPN TOP 100 PRESEASON 2022 CFB PLAYERS (Selected Aug. 17): No. 32. KJ Jefferson, QB, Arkansas, Junior. Notable 2021 stats: 2,676 yards, 31 TDs. Last year's ranking: NR. One of the breakout stars a year ago in the SEC, Jefferson played the quarterback po sition with the mentality of a linebacker. He's down from 250 to 240 pounds this season and should be even better in his second season as the starter. He was one of five FBS quarterbacks a year ago to total at least 20 touchdown passes with four or fewer interceptions and revels in running over defenders down on the goal line. - ESPN.com
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: ESPN.com
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2022 PRESEASON MANNING AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: KJ Jefferson, Jr., Arkansas,...Jefferson, who is one of 30 quarterbacks on the watch list, led the Hogs to a nine-win season in 2021 - their most wins in a year since 2011 - as well as their first New Ye ar's Day bowl game win since the 2000 Cotton Bowl. The Sardis, Miss., native started all 13 games at quarterback, completing 198-of-294 (67.3%) passes for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns. - Arkansas Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas Football
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Arkansas' football team is ranked 19th in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll that was released Monday. The Razorbacks' ranking is higher than where they finished last season, when they were ranked 21st following a 24-10 victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl that improved their record 9-4. Arkansas is ranked in the AP preseason poll for the first time since 2015. Cincinnati is ranked 23rd in the preseason poll. The Razorbacks are scheduled to open the season with a game against the Bearcats on Sept. 3 in Fayetteville. Six SEC teams are ranked in the preseason poll, led by top-ranked Alabama. Georgia (3), Texas A&M (6), Kentucky (20) and Ole Miss (21) are also ranked. Arkansas is scheduled to play Texas A&M on Sept. 24 in Arlington, Texas, and is scheduled to host games in Fayetteville against Alabama on Oct. 1 and Ole Miss on Nov. 19. The Razorbacks are also scheduled to play a non-conference game at No. 25 BYU on Oct. 15. Arkansas opponents LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and South Caroli na received votes in the AP poll but were unranked. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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He's tightened up his 6-3, 242-pound body in the weight room. In leading Arkansas to a 9-4 season - their best since 2011 - KJ Jefferson completed 198 of 294 passes (67.3 %) for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions. The dual-threat qua rterback was also the team's leading rusher gaining 644 yards, although the Razorbacks had Trelon Smith, Raheim Sanders and Dominique Johnson rush for more than 500 yards each. There is an obvious difference in Jefferson from last year to Wednesday.He's more confident and poised, but that was a work in progress all season. In the first half of the season opener against Rice, he was 2-of-5 passing for 14 yards and had an interception. In the second half, he was 10 of 16 for 114 yards and a touchdo wn, and it was like he never looked back. He was named MVP of the Outback Bowl. Now, the more mature Jefferson is ready for more growth, and that started this summer when he asked the janitor to leave the lights on so he and his teammates could work out on their own. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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KJ Jefferson pays attention to preseason lists and projections. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said this spring that Jefferson's No. 14 ranking - out of 14 quarterbacks - by a media outlet last year was a motivator for him throughout the 2021 season. This ye ar he is not as concerned about what people say. But he does believe he is underrated in the conference. "I am," Jefferson said in an interview with SEC Network host Peter Burns on Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. "I feel like I am, but, I mean, I don't try to too much dwell on it. I mean, the only thing I'm worried about is playing ball and just getting back with my team and working." Jefferson finished last season with 2,676 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, and 664 yards rushin g and 6 touchdowns. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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Jefferson, in a way, compares his style of play to that of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2010. "Just the swagger that he brings to the quarterback position," Jefferson said. "I mean, there's nothing like it. That's w hat I bring. "Coming from where I come from, I've always been doubted. Adding it as fuel to the fire and keeping it pushing just knowing that I can't just keep dwelling on it and looking at it over and over again. The more I look at it my mind is not in the right spot and I need to be out there working."Razorbacks safety Jalen Catalon understands where the Newtown comparisons come from, but he believes Jefferson simply wants to be his own player. "He wants to say I did it a mile away, for sure," Catalon said. "But KJ is a team player. KJ always wants to make sure he's right himself so he can be right for us. He's always holding everybody accountable and (in) workouts when we do skills and drills and stuff like that. "He's a great quarterback, gr eat leader. And like I said, I know that's my quarterback." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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2022 PRESEASON DAVEY O'BRIEN NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARD WATCH LIST: KJ Jefferson, Arkansas, Jr., 6-3, 242, Sardis, Miss.,...Jefferson, who is one of seven SEC signal-callers on the watch list, helped lead the Hogs to a nine-win season in 2021 – their m ost wins in a year since 2011 – as well as their first New Year's Day bowl game win since the 2000 Cotton Bowl. The Sardis, Miss., native started all 13 games at quarterback, completing 198-of-294 (67.3%) passes for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns. The f ace of the Razorback offense, Jefferson threw just four interceptions on the year and completed 171 consecutive passes without an interception, the second-longest streak in program history. - Arkansas Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas Football
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2022 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: KJ Jefferson, Arkansas,...Jefferson, the face of the Razorback offense, helped lead the Hogs to a nine-win season in 2021 - their most wins in a year since 2011 - as well as their first New Year's Day bowl game wi n since the 2000 Cotton Bowl. The Sardis, Miss., native started all 13 games at quarterback, completing 198-of-294 (67.3%) passes for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns.He threw just four interceptions on the year and completed 171 consecutive passes w ithout an interception, the second-longest streak in program history. He finished the season as one of only five FBS quarterbacks to total 20 or more touchdown passes with four or fewer interceptions. Jefferson also rushed for a team-leading 664 yards on 146 carries with six scores on the ground. He was one of eight FBS quarterbacks with 2,500+ passing yards, 20+ passing touchdowns, 500+ rushing yards and 5+ rushing scores on the year. - Arkansas Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas Football
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Three of Arkansas' leaders will join Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman at SEC Media Days next week. Quarterback KJ Jefferson, linebacker Bumper Pool and safety Jalen Catalon will be Arkansas' player representatives at the event in Atlanta, which begins July 1 8. The Razorbacks are scheduled to appear July 20. Pittman, who led Arkansas to a 9-4 mark in 2021, will make his second appearance at SEC Media Days. Jefferson finished last season with 2,676 passing yards and 21 touchdowns against 4 interceptions, and also rushed for 664 yards and 6 scores. He completed 67.3% of his pass attempts in 13 games. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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KJ Jefferson attending the Manning Passing Academy is a natural now. In three seasons at the University of Arkansas, he has gone from barely an afterthought to being considered one of the best two quarterbacks in the SEC and top 10 in the country. This i s a young man who had zero college scholarship offers to play quarterback. He had offers, but he was seen more as a tight end. Under the teaching of Kendal Briles, Jefferson, who is 6-3, 245 pounds, has developed into a true dual threat. He could always run, and his throwing was OK, but now his passing is vastly improved.The Manning Passing Academy is the premiere quarterback camp in the country and invitations are rarely turned down. There is a waiting list. The camp has been operating for more than a quarter of a century, and this year will be held today through Sunday at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La. The only thing hotter than the weather will be the competition. This is a family-run camp with two-time Super Bowl champion quarte rbacks Peyton and Eli Manning participating. The camp founder and leader is Archie Manning, who was a tremendous college quarterback that was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, known most of his playing time as the "Aints," because they were bad at almos t every position but quarterback. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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University of Arkansas junior KJ Jefferson is among the college quarterbacks who will serve as counselors at the Manning Passing Academy this week. The Academy, at which the Manning family members and college quarterbacks work with junior high and high s chool players, will begin Thursday at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La. This is the 26th year of the Academy, which began in 1996 and is run by Archie Manning and his sons Peyton, Eli and Cooper.Jefferson, from Sardis, Miss., will be a c ounselor for the first time. He was an obvious choice to be invited after leading the Razorbacks to a 9-4 record last season when he started every game and completed 198 of 294 passes (67.3%) for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns with 4 interceptions and rus hed for 664 yards and 6 touchdowns. "I'm excited, coming from where I come from, that's a big-time deal," Jefferson said Tuesday of being among the counselors. "Just being able to be selected for that is truly an honor." "I'm looking forward to going dow n there and participating and having fun." This year's Manning Academy will have a record 45 college quarterbacks as counselors for the 1,350 campers. "It's a really good group," Archie Manning told Nola.com. "I usually cut it off at 40 counselors, but w e had so many guys that wanted to come this year that I couldn't say no. I'm getting to be a softie." There will be quarterbacks from 12 of the SEC's 14 schools. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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University of Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman has signed a contract extension through at least 2026 that will pay him $5 million per year with escalators based on performance. Pittman's new salary is a 66.7% increase from the $3 million he was in lin e to be paid before bonuses in 2021, when he led the Razorbacks to a 9-4 record and a 24-10 victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Pittman could earn a pay raise of up to $750,000 for a 9-win season under his new contract.Arkansas finished l ast season ranked 21st by The Associated Press - the Razorbacks' first time to be included in the final AP poll in 10 years. Pittman received votes for AP national coach of the year last season and was named a regional coach of the year by the American F ootball Coaches Association. Pittman thanked UA Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek and others in a statement sent out by the university's athletic department. "Arkansas is where I want to be, this is my dream job," Pittman said in a UA release. "I am so g rateful for our University and Hunter for believing in me, our coaches and staff and the program we're building. We are all excited to continue to build on what we've done and continue to make our fans and the whole state of Arkansas proud of our footbal l team." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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Arkansas football is on the rise. KJ Jefferson picked up 104 of his 110 rushing yards in the second half and threw for 90 more to lead No. 22 Arkansas past Penn State 24-10 in the Outback Bowl on Saturday. Raheim Sanders had 79 yards and two touchdowns o n 13 rushing attempts and Dominique Johnson added 85 yards on 11 carries as the Razorbacks finished with 361 yards on the ground. "We've come a long way," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. Arkansas (9-4), coming off four consecutive seasons of four or few er wins, got its first nine-win year since going 11-2 in 2011.The Razorbacks also played in their first bowl game since the 2016 Belk Bowl. "I believe in this program and where it's headed," Sanders said. " I know coach Pittman has a plan in place and this is just the beginning. We want to compete at the highest level. In order to do that we have to win these games, beat these teams and continue to raise our game." Sean Clifford went 14 of 32 or 195 yards for Penn State (7-6). He gained 47 yards on the ground on 11 attempts. "I thought our guys played extremely hard but we didn't play well enough, obviously, to win the game," Penn State coach James Franklin said, Jefferson ran 20 times while completing 14 of 19 passes. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound so phomore was sacked five times and limited to 6 yards rushing on 11 carries during the first half. "I'm just embracing it," said Jefferson, who was the game's MVP. Jefferson and Sanders had TD runs, and Cam Little made a 36-yard field goal in the third qu arter to put Arkansas up 24-10. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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KJ Jefferson threw for 262 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 58 yards to help No. 25 Arkansas beat Missouri 34-17 on Friday. Jefferson led Arkansas (8-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) to scores on four straight drives in the third and fourth quart ers to turn a four-point halftime lead to 18 with less than 12 minutes left. Treylon Burks was his biggest help, catching seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Arkansas hadn't beaten Missouri since 2015, which was the last time the Razorbacks were eligible for a bowl. The eight wins are Arkansas' most in the regular-season since 2011. Missouri (6-6, 3-5), which finished the regular season at .500 for the third straight year, managed just 316 yards of total offense, 219 of which came from running b ack Tyler Badie on the ground. Badie scored Missouri's only touchdown with 1:25 left. The Tigers were largely beaten by the big play, which their offense never achieved. Arkansas averaged 8 yards per play to Missouri's 4.2.On back-to-back drives i n the third quarter Jefferson found wide receiver De'Vion Warren for a 55-yard gain to set up the first touchdown of the half, then he connected with Burks over the top for a 52-yard score that broke open the game. Missouri stiffened in the red zone on t he third straight Arkansas scoring drive in the fourth quarter, holding the Razorbacks to a field goal. But Connor Bazelak's pass was intercepted on the next play before Warren's 32-yard end-around immediately put Arkansas back inside the 20. Rocket Sand ers' 7-yard touchdown run capped the scoring. Bazelak finished 10 of 26 for 65 yards. Badie had 41 carries. He passed Devin West for Missouri's single-season rushing record, finishing with 1,604 yards. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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Arkansas coach Sam Pittman wasn't worried about style points. He was happy to take the Razorbacks' first victory over LSU since 2015 however it came. Arkansas' Cam Little kicked a 37-yard field goal in overtime after LSU freshman quarterback Garrett Nuss meier was intercepted by Montaric Brown earlier in the extra period, and the Razorbacks beat the Tigers 16-13 on Saturday night to take home the "Golden Boot" trophy. "Such a hard-fought game. It was ugly, beautiful and all in between," Pittman said. "It wasn't pretty, but we kept fighting. When that ball went through the uprights, it was one of the prettiest things I have ever seen." Nussmeier, who's been a backup throughout this season, replaced Max Johnson after two fruitless possessions to start the game and completed 18 of 31 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.But the promise he showed in spurts was overshadowed by his two interceptions. Nussmeier's overtime turnover came on a fade pass from the Arkansas 8. "That is on me," Nussmeier said . "I have to make the play and be smarter in overtime. I can't turn the ball over." After that, Arkansas needed just a field goal to win and set it up with three QB keepers by KJ Jefferson. Jefferson passed for 142 yards and one touchdown to running back Dominique Johnson, who slipped uncovered behind LSU's defense for a 43-yard touchdown while Jefferson was scrambling after spinning away from blitzing linebacker Damone Clark. "I knew they were bringing pressure, so I had to make one guy miss," Jefferso n said. "Then I gave Johnson a good ball and he did the rest." - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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Arkansas' 31-28 win over Mississippi State on Saturday was not, as coach Sam Pittman said, the Super Bowl. But for a team two years removed from back-to-back 2-10 seasons, the worst two records of Razorbacks football since World War II, becoming bowl-eli gible, in the fashion they did, was high on Pittman's wishlist. After Dominique Johnson scored the go-ahead touchdown with 21 seconds left and Mississippi State missed a potential game-tying field goal from 40 yards with two seconds remaining, Arkansas p layers and staff blitzed the field in cathartic glee. Trailing 28-23 with one minute left, Arkansas (6-3, 2-3 in SEC) appeared to have lost when KJ Jefferson's pass into the flat on fourth down from the Mississippi State 25 fell incomplete. But the Bulld ogs were called for holding, Arkansas moved up to the 15 and two plays later, Johnson scored on a 4-yard run.The touchdown came just 2:01 after Mississippi State (5-4, 3-3) had taken the lead on a 15-yard pass from Will Rogers to Jo'quavious Marks . Rogers with 417 yards and four touchdowns, completed three straight passes to move the Bulldogs from their own 25 to the Arkansas 22 and set up the final field-goal attempt. Nolan McCord, who replaced Brandon Ruiz after Ruiz missed two earlier in the g ame, including a 22-yarder, sent his kick wide left. "We didn't just win the Super Bowl but it feels like it," Pittman said. "Very, very excited to know we're going to play in December or January." The win made Arkansas (6-3, 2-3) bowl-eligible, under no n-COVID qualifications, for the first time since 2016 and gave the Razorbacks their second win this season over a team ranked inside the College Football Playoff top 25. Arkansas began the year 4-0, including a victory over No. 14 Texas A&M, before three straight SEC losses followed. Rogers twice brought the fear of a fourth straight Arkansas loss. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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On the heels of a three-game losing streak, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his players were in dire need of a confidence boost. The Razorbacks got that, at the expense of an in-state opponent. Sophomore quarterback K.J. Jefferson threw for a career-high four touchdowns, all coming before halftime, as Arkansas scored the first 45 points and defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 45-3 on Saturday in Little Rock. The Razorbacks had entered the game having dropped three straight games - all against Southeastern Confe rence foes - after starting the season 4-0 and being ranked in the Top 10 nationally. "Honestly, we needed to feel good again, and we went through a rough stretch," Pittman said. "Again, it's not an excuse, we went through a rough stretch, that's the tru th, and coming back here (Saturday) to be up 45-0 at the half, that was a big, big deal for us; it really was. "It was (a big deal) for our coaching staff, to sit in there at halftime and going, ‘We did what we said we were going to do, we did what we needed to do." The Razorbacks (5-3) scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions and made big plays in all three phases - offense, defense and special teams - breaking that losing streak in grand style. It also comes at a good time for Arkans as, which will now enjoy a well-deserved bye week before returning to the field on Nov. 6 against Mississippi State. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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KJ Jefferson threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns before getting banged up to start the second half and No. 16 Arkansas held on for a 20-10 win over seventh-ranked Texas A&M on Saturday, the first in the series for the Razorbacks in their 10 seasons as Southeastern Conference foes. Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 SEC) also had its overall 11-game winning streak snapped. Jefferson came up limping and favoring his left leg after getting tackled out of bounds to start the second half, and left a few plays later. But he did return to the game late, and was on the field to take the final kneel-down in the SEC opener to cap Arkansas' first 4-0 start since 2003.The Aggies hadn't allowed a passing touchdown this season until Jefferson's 85-yard score to Treylon B urks, who pushed by a defender and match the catch near the 40. Burks appeared to stumble, but stayed upright and sprinted down the right sideline for 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. Arkansas leads 42-33-1 overall in the series that dates back to 19 03 and includes their time as longtime Southwest Conference rivals. But Texas A&M had won all nine meetings since joining the SEC in 2012, which was 20 years after the Razorbacks debuted in the league. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
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A week after beating then-No. 15 Texas and a week before facing No. 5 Texas A&M, both age-old rivals, No. 20 Arkansas could have faltered against Georgia Southern. After all, the Razorbacks, who haven't had a winning season in five years, only beat the l ast Sun Belt team it played by a single point. The one before that actually beat Arkansas at home. No such disappointment this time as coach Sam Pittman's team smashed the Eagles 45-10 on Saturday behind quarterback KJ Jefferson, who threw for a career-h igh 366 yards and tied a career high with three touchdowns.The win sets up a showdown with the Aggies next week in Arlington, Texas, where both teams will enter perfect. "We played them last year, they were the best football team we had played at that time," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. "It's a big deal." Jefferson and the Razorbacks defense were the biggest reasons for the blowout. Jefferson set his career high in passing by the first drive of the third quarter. A 60-yard touchdown pass to W arren Johnson gave him 275 yards, one more than his previous high, and gave Arkansas a 31-10 lead with 13:28 left in the period. On Arkansas' next offensive play, Jefferson connected with preseason All-SEC wide receiver Treylon Burks for a 91-yard score. At that point, the Razorbacks (3-0) were comfortable, shifting largely to the No. 9 rushing attack in FBS to slow the game and preserve the win. Jefferson, who entered as the No. 2 rushing quarterback in the SEC, spent more time on his passing instead, something his coach was happy to see improve. He entered the game with just 266 yards over the team's first two games. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
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Texas hasn't considered Arkansas to be a rival for a long time. Judging by the goal posts coming down Saturday night and with the Longhorns set to join the Southeastern Conference soon, that won't last. Arkansas ran for 333 yards, held Texas to 256 yards of total offense and the Razorbacks beat their former Southwest Conference nemesis 40-21 on Saturday night. The ninth-largest crowd in Arkansas history, 74,531 strong, was jubliant all night and many of them stormed the field afterward, celebrating thei r team's first win over Texas in Fayetteville since 1981.Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was the Razorbacks' offensive line coach the last time they played Texas in the 2014 Texas Bowl. He credited his former unit for the big night. Arkansas was 120th in FBS last year in sacks allowed. "Isn't that something? (Offensive line coach Cody Kennedy) comes in in June and we rush for 333 yards," Pittman said. "He's got some really hard-working kids. They took a lot of heat in the past and will, I'm sure, some in the future. But the way they played, to rush for 333 against a good Texas squad is outstanding." The Razorbacks led 16-0 at halftime as Texas was dominated from the beginning. The Longhorns (1-1) punted on six of their first seven drives. Their seven th resulted in a missed field goal. "This was not a performance I was anticipating," first-year coach Steve Sarkisian said. "But we'll find out about ourselves and what we're made of, because I really believe this one games not going to define us. But we 've got work to do, that's for sure." - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
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Arkansas must not have enjoyed the boos inside its own stadium. The Razorbacks trailed at halftime against a Rice team that hasn't beaten a power-conference opponent since 2013. In the first full-capacity game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in t wo seasons, a portion of the home crowd jeered at the break. Arkansas then scored on five of its last six possessions of the game and ended up handling the Owls, 38-17. Trelon Smith scored a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown with 12:44 left to give Arkansas its first lead since KJ Jefferson scored the game's opening touchdown on a 34-yard quarterback draw. Arkansas followed Smith's touchdown with a 9-yard reception by Tyson Morris from Jefferson and a 3-yard run by Dominique Johnson.Arkansas will have to be better next week against Texas. The two former Southwest Conference - and future SEC rivals - are meeting for the first time in the regular season since 2008. Jefferson, in his second career start, was just 4 of 11 for 21 yards passing in the first h alf as the Razorbacks trailed, 10-7. His second pass of the second half, though, was a 31-yarder to Morris down the right sideline that resulted in a jumping celebration from the sophomore quarterback. Five plays later, he ran up the middle for his secon d rushing score of the game. - Arkansas/AP College Football
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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Arkansas redshirt sophomore quarterback KJ Jefferson is clear he wants to play at 235 pounds this season. To do so, the 6-3 Jefferson will need to shed 12 pounds before the Razorbacks' scheduled Sept. 4 season opener against Rice. "Conditioning-wise, I t hink I could be in better shape," Jefferson said Friday after his team's first preseason practice. "I am trying to cut down on a little weight that I have gained over the summer. "I feel like I put on a lot more muscle mass, but I want to cut down on the weight and the body fat percentage....I am 247 right now. I just want to cut down like 10 pounds and get down to 235, 230 - somewhere in there." Jefferson was named the starting quarterback in the spring to take over for the departed Feleipe Franks. Jef ferson was Franks' backup a year ago. Jefferson had a career-high 274 passing yards and threw three touchdown passes during a 50-48 loss at Missouri while starting in place of the injured Franks last December. He completed 20 of 41 passes for 295 yards l ast season. Jefferson played in five games. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
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A pair of teammates and an SEC Network analyst believe Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson has what it takes to help lead the Razorbacks to a successful season in 2021. Jefferson, a redshirt sophomore who has largely served as a backup in his first two sea sons at Arkansas, is expected to take the reins of the Razorbacks' offense and will enter preseason practices as the team's starter. He has only two starts under his belt, but Jordan Rodgers sees a player who has grown more comfortable in his own skin. " Trust me, as a quarterback, when you struggle with the completion percentage, as KJ did at times last year, a lot of that is just comfortability," said Rodgers, who played quarterback at Vanderbilt. "Being comfortable in the offense, going through your r eads, knowing where your answers are, and being able to lead guys, I think he's going to be able to check all the boxes. "And (Arkansas has) all the pieces around him. It's scary when a Sam Pittman offense returns all of their offensive linemen, and thei r running back and one of the best receivers in the SEC." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
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Now wishing well whatever Feleipe Franks' professional future, Sam Pittman treasures Franks' Razorbacks past. And Franks' Razorbacks present. For while Franks quarterbacked his last game for Pittman's Razorbacks closing 2020, the via University of Florid a graduate transfer remains Arkansas embodied through his 2021 successor. Third-year sophomore KJ Jefferson, Pittman believes, isn't the quarterback he is today without last season's eight games apprenticing behind Franks before starting Game Nine. Jeffe rson subbed for an injured Franks completing 18 of 33 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another TD starting Arkansas' 50-48 loss at Missouri. Meanwhile now second-year freshman No. 2 quarterback Malik Hornsby progressed in practic e at his own pace behind Franks and Jefferson. Jefferson and Hornsby continued stepping up in the spring from what they began in Franks' shadow last fall. "What Feleipe did he bought our young kids time to develop," Pittman said. "That time obviously was shown when KJ went out the way he played against Missouri. We needed that." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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KJ Jefferson heads toward the end of the school term and upcoming summer workouts comfortably in the QB1 spot at the University of Arkansas. But there's no time to get comfortable for the 6-3, 240-pound redshirt sophomore after holding on to the top job on offense throughout the 15 practices of spring. "Basically, I build off the confidence and trust in my teammates," Jefferson said after Saturday's Red-White spring finale. "Each and every day I try to at least grab one O-lineman, and I work with him. J ust so I can trust him, and he can trust me, and just keep doing that throughout with all my teammates." Second-year Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman touted the leadership skills of Jefferson throughout the spring and the trust his teammates are putting into t he third-year quarterback from Sardis, Miss. "I think he's certainly maturing," Pittman said Saturday. "He's got command of this team. His teammates believe in him. That's hard. You have to earn that at quarterback and he certainly has." - Northwest Arka nsas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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In one half, Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson put on display an improved touch on passes down the field Saturday in the Razorbacks' spring game. The frontrunner at the position entering the summer, Jefferson was locked in on his first four throws and gu ided his White team to a 17-3 lead after one quarter. He did not see the field in the second half, and the Red team ultimately finished the day with a 30-20 win to cap spring drills. Star receivers Treylon Burks and Mike Woods were on the receiving end o f Jefferson's first four attempts, and three of the completions went for explosive plays.Woods brought in a 33-yard touchdown pass to get White on the board, then Burks had a 31-yard score toward the end of the first quarter. "I'd have to go look back at every throw that he made, but I can tell you this: When I was standing out on the field, I was going, 'It'd be hard not to like this kid at quarterback,'" Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said. "He's big, he's strong, he's commanding and he was on po int. "I don't know every single throw that he made, but I know as a head coach I was sitting back there going, 'I'm damn glad he's our quarterback." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
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In Arkansas defensive back Greg Brooks' mind, there is no doubt who has led the Razorbacks and controlled workouts since players reconvened in January. KJ Jefferson, who second-year coach Sam Pittman named the frontrunner at quarterback prior to the star t of spring drills, has been that guy. And he is embracing his expanded role following a season as the understudy to Feleipe Franks. "He's been leading the team each and every day," Brooks said Tuesday. "You can tell it's his team. He's going to lead us in the right direction." A redshirt sophomore, Jefferson provided plenty of optimism for the future at quarterback in Arkansas' 50-48 loss at Missouri last season. Starting in place of an injured Franks, he passed for a career-high 274 yards and three to uchdowns, and added 32 yards rushing and a score.Razorbacks coaches are hopeful the gutsy road performance will serve as a springboard as the fall approaches. The feeling of knowing he has the trust of Arkansas' staff is indescribable. "I feel lik e my spring has been going pretty awesome," Jefferson said Tuesday. "Just enjoying taking it in, and this being my first spring, I'm just soaking it all in. "Coming in, after Feleipe left I knew I was the next guy in charge, so at the winter workouts I j ust had to come in with a mindset that it was my team and I had to take over the team from Day 1. Keep that confidence and leadership, and consistency also, all the way up." - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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Sam Pittman met with the media via Zoom on Monday to preview the start of spring practice. There were specific questions about goals to improve both the offense and defense. The general answer to all those questions centered around competition, starting at quarterback where the Razorbacks must replace Feleipe Franks. However, that quarterback battle begins with a clear leader. Pittman said sophomore KJ Jefferson will open the first practice Tuesday with the first team. "KJ is our starter," Pittman said. "But I do anticipate a nice battle (at quarterback)." Jefferson started the Missouri game last year when Franks was out with rib injuries. Franks returned the next week for the Alabama game and was slated to start the bowl game before TCU opted out. Jef ferson completed 18 of 33 passes for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns against Missouri. He also ran for 32 yards and a 1-yard touchdown. That should and did put him ahead of Malik Hornsby to open spring drills. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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In his second career start, Jefferson guided the Razorbacks' offense to its best day in terms of total yardage (556 yards) since a 661-yard output in a 58-42 win at Mississippi State in November 2016. Jefferson completed 18 of his 33 attempts for 274 yar ds and three touchdowns against zero interceptions. Missouri, which owned the SEC's top pass defense entering the weekend, had allowed 272 passing yards combined in its previous two games against South Carolina and Vanderbilt.Jefferson added 32 ya rds and a touchdown on the ground. Pittman said Saturday's game, despite the loss, had to be a confidence builder for Jefferson and the entire offense. "I was proud of KJ Jefferson going in there and playing the entire game," Pittman said. "I thought he stepped in there and played one heck of a football game." Five of Jefferson's completions went for explosive plays (15-plus yards) that gained 167 yards. His second touchdown pass went 68 yards to Treylon Burks, the Razorbacks' 10th pass play of the seas on resulting in a gain of 50-plus yards. - Northwest Arkansas Times
(DS#15 QB) rSr/2025 QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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