Joey McGuire embraces his Razorback roots while facing Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl
- Taylen Green delivered an outstanding performance, contributing to Arkansas's total offense of 573 yards.
- Texas Tech's offense struggled, failing to score during the final two quarters, despite some early momentum.
- Arkansas's victory capped a challenging season, signifying resilience and a promising path forward for the team.
In the Liberty Bowl held in Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas secured a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech, primarily led by the performance of quarterback Taylen Green. Green completed 11 of 21 pass attempts for 341 yards, tossing two touchdown passes, while also adding 81 rushing yards to his tally. Despite the loss, Texas Tech's J’Koby Williams had an impressive game, rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown. However, the team struggled offensively in the second half and failed to score until the final minutes of the game. Arkansas's offensive strategy was particularly effective due to the weak Texas Tech secondary, which was known for permitting the most passing yards in the Big 12. The matchup highlighted Arkansas's ability to capitalize on the Red Raiders' vulnerabilities, exemplified by Green’s 94-yard touchdown pass to Dazmin James, marking the longest pass play in Liberty Bowl history. This impressive performance by Arkansas brought their season record to 7-6, providing a strong conclusion for Coach Sam Pittman's fifth season, which included significant challenges earlier on. For Texas Tech, this game marked a transition, as they faced the repercussions of key players opting out, including leading running back Tahj Brooks, who had a prolific season with 1,505 rushing yards but withdrew from the game for personal reasons. With quarterback Behren Morton sidelined due to shoulder surgery, true freshman Will Hammond took over, but was unable to lead a strong offensive effort. The coaching staff, led by Joey McGuire, is now in the process of reassessing their defensive strategies after significant losses to traditional rivals such as Arkansas. In the aftermath of the game, both teams will undergo transformations as they look toward the future. Arkansas aims to build upon this victory by integrating new talent through the transfer portal to enhance their offensive line, while Texas Tech must address its defensive shortcomings as it prepares for next season. The Liberty Bowl served as a pivotal moment for both programs, encapsulating the struggles and triumphs experienced throughout the season. With the regular season behind them, coaches and players alike are now focused on rebuilding and preparing for the upcoming challenges in their respective conferences.