After a regular season where the Arkansas Razorbacks 7-6 (3-5 SEC) could have won at least three more games than they did, the team still accomplished enough to earn a trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders 8-5 (6-3 Big 12).
With many transfer portal and NFL Draft departures, neither team, especially not Arkansas, came on the field looking remotely like the teams we witnessed in the regular season. However, in this transfer portal era, everyone must become more accustomed to witnessing teams missing many of their players for bowl games. In this game, Hogs’ wide receiver Dazmin James demonstrated those departures present opportunities for new players to shine and emerge as future stars.
Sam Pittman wanted Arkansas to begin fast, for such a start has often been absent this season. His team granted his wish. As noted by ESPN, the Razorbacks scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, surrendering only three points. However, in the second quarter, the Hogs permitted the Red Raiders to score 16 points, including a safety, while the Razorbacks only added a field goal. The Hogs took a 24-19 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Hogs’ defense settled down and held Texas Tech’s offense scoreless. The Razorbacks scored a field goal and produced a safety in the fourth quarter, and the Red Raiders scored a meaningless touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Hogs defeated the Red Raiders 39-26. After Arkansas’s convincing win against Texas Tech, fans and media were impressed with how the Razorbacks performed.
Social Media Reactions: Arkansas football vs Texas Tech
Kelly Robertson Jacobs, an Arkansas fan, expressed enthusiasm about the Hogs’ performance.
Yes!! Go Hogs!
— Kelly Robertson Jacobs (@KelrayJ) December 28, 2024
Jackson Collier, Arkansas basketball journalist at Hawg Beat, noted how the Razorbacks “controlled most of the game.”
FINAL: Arkansas 39, Texas Tech 26
— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) December 28, 2024
Razorbacks controlled most of the game. Green looked fantastic. Good stuff from TeSlaa, James, Robinson, and Juncaj.
Solid momentum heading into the offseason. 7-6 with a third straight bowl victory. Tied longest streak in program history. #wps
Darren McFadden, an Arkansas Razorbacks football legend, explained how significant winning a bowl game is.
The name of the bowl doesn’t matter. Any coach or player will tell you what’s most important is winning your last game.
— Darren McFadden (@dmcfadden20) December 28, 2024
The SEC’s official X/Twitter page acknowledged the Razorbacks’ dominance in this game.
BOWL WIN SECURED. ✔️
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) December 28, 2024
Let it ring! 🔔 @RazorbackFB rolls past Texas Tech in the @AZOLibertyBowl!@BowlSeason x #ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/XcCitUBMFT
John Nabors, Owner of Inside Arkansas, expressed that winning and earning a winning season is important.
Win is a win is a win. Winnings season for the Hogs as they beat Texas Tech 39-26 pic.twitter.com/NQkmG5oxIM
— John Nabors (@JohnNaborsShow) December 28, 2024
Landon Jackson, an Arkansas defensive end who has declared for the NFL Draft, shared his joy.
— Landon Jackson (@landonjackson40) December 28, 2024