Arkansas football will make its seventh appearance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at 6 p.m. Friday when it faces Texas Tech (8-4) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The Razorbacks (6-6) are 3-3 all-time in the Liberty Bowl, making its last appearance in 2022, a 55-53 win over Kansas. After a Week 6 victory over Tennessee (19-14), Arkansas looked to be one of the surprises of the SEC season, but a 24-point home loss to LSU the following week began a 2-4 run over the remainder of the season. Arkansas will look to stretch its bowl game winning streak to three games on Friday.
The game will air on ESPN and stream on Fubo and ESPN+. Here’s more on the Razorbacks:
The Arkansas team that will take the field will be much thinner than the one that played during the regular season, as the SEC’s receiving yardage leader, Andrew Armstrong, opted out of the bowl game to focus on the NFL Draft. Ja’Quinden Jackson, the team’s leading rusher, opted to do the same.
Tight end Luke Hasz, receiver Isaiah Sategna and running back Rashod Dubinion entered the transfer portal alongside a number of offensive linemen, leaving first-year starting quarterback Taylen Green with an inexperienced group to take on the Red Raiders. Green, a redshirt junior, has thrown for 2,813 yards this season on 219-of-360 passing. He was also a threat with his legs, rushing for 521 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Razorbacks lost a number of defensive players to the portal as well andl face Texas Tech freshman quarterback Will Hammond, who is making his first career start. During the regular season, Arkansas’ defense ranked 66th in the nation in defense, allowing 366 yards per game.
Arkansas will play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Friday.
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Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal’s high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @wendellsjr_.
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