By: Cam Hooper
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The Arkansas Razorbacks kicked off the Ryan Silverfield era with a decisive 31-14 victory at home over North Alabama.
Arkansas and North Alabama both battled through a record-breaking high temperature during Saturday’s game, with on-field temperature resting at a sweltering 101 degrees at the time of kickoff. Still, Arkansas welcomed nearly 70,000 people through the gates of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, a number that coach Silverfield was impressed with.
“I want to thank our fans, especially the students that showed up on this record setting day, they made a difference today,” Silverfield said. “I’m grateful for our fans and the students were absolutely phenomenal.”
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jackson threw for 267 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in his second collegiate start. Despite Jackson’s impressive ending stat line, the first half spelled trouble for the Razorback offense. Head coach Ryan Silverfield addressed the showcase in the post-game press conference with a few strong choice words.
“Offensively [we were] not good by any stretch of the imagination,” Silverfield said. “It’s probably one of the worst offensive performances I’ve been a part of. That’s on me and I got to get it fixed.”
Jackson also reflected on the hardships the offense dealt with and looks to improve upon his performance next weekend on the road at Utah.
“I forced [the interception] and I can’t do that. Especially when we’re in field goal range and we have points,” Jackson said. “I know better than that, Coach Silverfield has put me in that position plenty of times and I gotta check the ball down there.
Even with the slow start offensively, the defense looks much improved from last year’s team. Last year Arkansas graded out as the lowest rated defense in the SEC, but an overhaul in coaching and personnel has the group showing promise in their first time out. The Razorbacks held North Alabama to four straight three-and-out possessions to start the game.
“The defense played lights out in the first half, I’m quite pleased with the way they played,” Silverfield said. “I want the fans to know that’s Razorback defense that they can come to expect and to love.”
Anchoring the defense was North Carolina transfer Khmori House. The defensive back accumulated three tackles with a team leading two tackles for loss (TFL) and a sack in Saturday’s contest. House believes the Razorbacks opened up the season with solid defensive play under coach Silverfield’s scheme.
“Our coaches put a great gameplan in for us, and I think we did a great job throughout the week preparing for North Alabama,” House said. “Practice was intense and hard, and we just had to go out there and do our job.”
Despite the triple-digit heat, House and the rest of the defense were prepared for the weather due to months of practices through the summer.
“Once we were out there it was like another day at practice,” House said. “I can appreciate [Coach Silverfield] now for putting us out there and preparing us.”
The Razorbacks will head to Utah to take on the No. 25 ranked Utes in Rice-Eccles Stadium at 9:15 p.m. on September 12.