Texas A&M Aggies vs Arkansas Razorbacks Match Player Stats On Sep 26, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 26, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas -- For the last two years, Texas A&M-Arkansas has gone into overtime.

The Aggies have survived both.

On Saturday at AT&T Stadium, No. 14 Texas A&M capped a fourth-quarter rally with quarterback Kyle Allen's touchdown pass to receiver Christian Kirk in the first overtime to beat the Razorbacks 28-21 in the SEC opener for both teams.

The Aggies (4-0) have a four-game winning streak in the series, all coming since Texas A&M joined the SEC. The Aggies rallied in 2014 to win 35-28.

The Razorbacks (1-3) had the ball after the Aggies' score with a chance to tie. Incompletions on third and fourth down, the latter intended for receiver Drew Morgan and broken up by defensive back De'Vante Harris, ended the game.

The Aggies then charged the field to celebrate.

The Razorbacks scored first late in the opening quarter as Allen found a wide-open Morgan in the flat for a 17-yard touchdown. Arkansas went 86 yards on the march, picking up a first-and-25 along the way.

The Aggies responded quickly early in the second despite being backed up on their 3-yard line. Allen completed four passes, the last a 44-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Kirk.

Brandon Allen completed his first 13 passes before being intercepted in the second quarter. The Aggies, especially Allen and Kirk, helped turn the game's first turnover into their first lead.

The duo connected twice for 86 yards, but the drive stalled inside the Arkansas 10-yard line and Texas A&M settled for a short field goal for a 10-7 edge.

Arkansas repeatedly put itself in tough positions offensively with penalties. The Razorbacks had 50 penalty yards through two quarters.

Texas A&M was overpowered and outplayed for much of the second half, as Arkansas opened up a 21-13 lead.

Kyle Allen completed 21 of 28 throws for 358 yards and two touchdowns as the Aggies all but abandoned the running game. Kirk gained 173 yards on eight catches and scored twice, and receiver Josh Reynolds added 106 yards on three receptions.

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen passed for 225 yards and running back Alex Collins rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown, as the team rolled up 453 yards.

Arkansas put together drives of 77 and 80 yards to take an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies tied it with a desperation 85-yard drive, highlighted by Allen's 65-yard pass to Reynolds. Running back Tra Carson scored on a 2-yard draw with 2:50 left in regulation.

Allen lofted a two-point conversion to Reynolds to tie it 21-21.

Texas A&M defensive end Miles Garett, held in check for much of game, gave the Aggies a chance at the end of regulation. His hit of Brandon Allen forced a fumble that the Aggies recovered in Arkansas territory. Kicker Taylor Bertolet, however, missed a 38-yard field goal to the right as time expired.

NOTES: Texas A&M and Arkansas are two games into an 11-year agreement to play at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. ... QB Brandon Allen became the seventh player in Arkansas history to pass for more than 5,000 yards. ... Texas A&M WR Kirk Christian has three 100-yard receiving games, matching a school freshman record. He had 130 yards in the first half. ... Brandon Allen was sacked for the first time this season in the second quarter. ... The Aggies return home next week to face Mississippi State, while the Razorbacks are at Tennessee.