AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the home crowd in DWR Razorback Stadium at a fever pitch, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers delivered one of his best throws of the season, and it wasn’t a deep ball down the field.
Ewers hit Matthew Golden for a 1-yard touchdown with 9:05 left in the fourth quarter to give the No. 3 Longhorns a 20-10 win over Arkansas on Saturday.
Arkansas had all the momentum after working the game from 13-0 to 13-10, but the Longhorns were able to re-establish its running game, which in Steve Sarkisian’s offense, controls everything. Jaydon Blue provided a big 28-yard scamper to help set up the short touchdown pass, and the Longhorns ran for 46 of the drive’s 75 yards.
Ewers sprinted out to his right and fired a dart to Golden in the front corner of the end zone. Golden reached his limits for the ball and made a terrific catch, palming it with one hand after securing the catch while being draped by an Arkansas defender for his second touchdown of the game.
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Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden (2) celebrates with teammate Juan Davis (81) after making a touchdown catch against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) -
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) -
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates with teammate Barryn Sorrell (88) after making in interception against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) -
Arkansas running back Rodney Hill (20) is tackled by Texas defensive back Gavin Holmes (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) -
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian celebrates with his team after defeating Arkansas 20-10 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) -
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) celebrates with his team after defeating Arkansas 20-10 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) -
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) celebrates with teammate Isaiah Bond (7) after defeating Arkansas 20-10 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
The touchdown swung momentum back to the Longhorns and took the air out of the raucous Razorback crowd. Alfred Collins forced a fumble on the ensuing Arkansas drive and Michael Taaffe recovered it. The Longhorns went on a grinding 14-play drive that took 6:55 off the clock and had Ewers convert and fourth-and-2 with an option read run to ice the game.
Arkansas put up a second-half fight after gaining 74 yards in the first half. The Hogs got back to their roots with a power run game, scoring with 3:39 left in the third on a 1-yard run by Ja’Quinden Jackson. They ended the game with 231 yards of offense on 59 plays.
Texas’ defense kept showing why it’s one of the best in the country. The Longhorns came into the game No. 2 in the country in total defense, allowing 251 yards per game, so they improved that number there. They finished plus-2 in turnover margin and sacked Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green six times for 48 yards. Texas had nine tackles for loss for 62 yards for the game with Jahdae Barron and Collins each with two. Barron had an interception in the first half. Taffee led the Longhorns with eight tackles followed by Barron, Collins and Barryn Sorrell each with seven.
Golden had two catches and both went for touchdowns. He was wide-open in the end zone and reeled in a 20-yard pass from Ewers in the first quarter. Isaiah Bond had four catches for 48 yards while Blue led the rushing attack with 83 yards on 14 carries. Quintrevion Wisner rushed for 59 yards on 17 carries. Ewers finished 20 of 32 passing for 176 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Texas was 4-for-15 on third down and was penalized only twice, a big improvement from previous games.
For Arkansas, Green finished 17 of 25 for 149 yards and an interception. Jackson rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries and Andrew Armstrong had six catches for 74 yards.
Texas (9-1, 5-1 SEC) keeps pace with Tennessee and Texas A&M at the top of the Southeastern Conference with the win. The Longhorns host Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. next week. Arkansas (5-5, 3-4) is off in SEC play next week but will take on Louisiana Tech.