STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Two coaches and nearly three years since Arkansas final gained a Southeastern Convention sport, the Razorbacks took down the staff that was the discuss of faculty soccer final week.

Feleipe Franks threw two landing passes and Arkansas intercepted Okay.J. Costello thrice because the Razorbacks broke a 20-game SEC shedding streak by upsetting No. 16 Mississippi State 21-14 on Saturday evening.

”The temper within the locker room was in all probability every thing you may count on,” first-year Arkansas Sam Pittman mentioned. ”The youngsters have gone for a very long time with out having a chance to win. And towards a staff, I imply, that is a ranked soccer staff and for us to come back in right here their place and win, the blokes are ecstatic.”

Every week after a record-breaking and beautiful upset towards LSU, the Bulldogs (1-1) and new coach Mike Leach hardly regarded like the identical staff. Costello was 43 of 59 for 313 yards and one landing.

”I did not suppose we learn the sector very properly,” Leach mentioned. ”Most of our issues on the market – offense, protection, particular groups – have been as a result of our eyes simply weren’t in the correct place. We’re not skilled sufficient or proficient sufficient for that.”

Costello and the Air Raid shredded LSU for a Southeastern Convention document 623 yards passing, however the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs within the pink zone twice within the fourth quarter and likewise misplaced a fumble towards Arkansas. They have been 6-of-17 on third down.

”There’s a lot momentum available that we did not seize, whatever the protection,” Costello mentioned. ”I imply, we accomplished the ball everywhere in the area, however we have got to complete in vital conditions. And I’ve received to care for the soccer, backside line.”

Kylin Hill, the Bulldogs’ main rusher from a season in the past, left the sport after taking a tough hit within the first quarter and by no means returned.

Greg Brooks Jr. returned an interception 69 yards for a landing to place Arkansas (1-1) on high early and the Razorbacks led 14-7 on the half.

Arkansas managed solely 275 yards of whole offense and 24 minutes of possession. That turned out to be sufficient.

Franks was 20-of-28 for 212 yards.

”It is only a begin,” Franks mentioned. ”It is an incredible begin. We’ll have a good time after which subsequent week put together to get one other one. That is the factor in regards to the SEC. It isn’t a one-week season. We’ll take pleasure in it, however we’ll get to work subsequent week and attempt to get a win.”

Arkansas had not gained an SEC sport since beating Mississippi Oct. 28, 2017, beneath Bret Bielema. The previous two seasons beneath Chad Morris the Razorbacks went winless within the SEC after which employed Pittman, a longtime offensive line coach, away from Georgia.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas: Defensive coordinator Barry Odom had gone up towards Leach’s Air Raid when each have been within the Huge 12. Not like LSU, which performed a lot of man-to-man, Arkansas used loads of zone protection. The Razorbacks allowed loads of yards however made Mississippi State accept small chunks.

Mississippi State: The loud voices of reward Leach can be quiet this week. Bulldogs followers have gone although the total Leach expertise in two weeks, puling a shocking upset and tossing out a clunker as a favourite.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Mississippi State might be a one-week marvel.

UP NEXT

Arkansas will journey to face Auburn subsequent Saturday.

Mississippi State will head to Kentucky.

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Extra AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-High25