KJ Jefferson sets Arkansas TD mark in blowout over Florida International

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th November, 23:08 2023

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) passes in the first half against the FIU Panthers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. credits: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Record-setting Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson fired three touchdowns Saturday night as the Razorbacks topped Florida International 44-20 in Fayetteville, Ark.

A three-year full-time starter, Jefferson went 15-for-28 for 187 yards and rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries as the Razorbacks (4-7) won for the second time in their past three outings.

The Sardis, Miss., senior broke Brandon Allen's record of 64 TD passes and Tyler Wilson's passing yardage mark of 7,765 yards.

Isaiah Augustave rushed 14 times for a game-high 101 yards. Kicker Cam Little made 3 of 5 field goals.

The Razorbacks outgained FIU 510-341 in total yardage.

The Panthers (4-7) got a strong game from quarterback Keyone Jenkins, who was 21 of 36 for 265 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

Wideout Kris Mitchell had 157 yards and a TD on six receptions.

After Arkansas forced a turnover on downs on the opening series, Jefferson tossed a 10-yard strike to Jaedon Wilson at 12:22 for a 7-0 lead.

With the first of his three scores, Jefferson became the school's all-time leader in TD passes with 65.

However, FIU answered immediately when Jenkins connected on an 80-yard pass to Mitchell and ran in on a keeper from a yard out on the next play.

Jenkins was at it again to close the first quarter, completing a 12-yard pass to Dean Patterson. A missed extra-point attempt left the visitors ahead 13-7.

In the second quarter, Jefferson padded his TD record by finding Tyrone Broden on a 4-yard score at 11:58 for a 14-13 lead.

In the game's most bizarre play, Arkansas defensive back Alfahiym Walcott reached around wideout Patterson during a catch, stripped the ball from him as the receiver was going to the turf and sprinted 28 yards for a touchdown. He added a second interception later.

With 4:45 remaining in the half, Little drilled a 31-yard field goal. The Razorbacks made it 24 unanswered points when Dominique Johnson ran 31 yards at 1:08 for a 31-13 lead.

In the second half, Mitchell leaped for a 12-yard score from Jenkins to stop the Arkansas scoring run nearly five minutes into the third quarter, but Jefferson found Isaiah Sategna from 32 yards later in the frame.

After missing two tries, Little booted successful kicks from 39 and 41 yards to cap the scoring.

—Field Level Media

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