KJ Jefferson is not the best player on the Arkansas football team.
The junior quarterback is the most important, though. And if he isn’t able to go for the Razorbacks on Saturday against No. 8 LSU, the Tigers’ field-goal-ish point-spread advantage would likely increase.
Jefferon wasn’t himself last week against Liberty, drawing occasional boos from the Arkansas home crowd in a loss to the Flames, 21-19. He completed more than 60% of his passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions.
Coach Sam Pittman said after that game that Jefferson practically didn’t throw during the week leading up to that game, nursing a shoulder injury. Then, on Tuesday of this week, Jefferson was sore again, leading to some doubt about his status Saturday.
“I thought that he felt much better early in the week than what he had,” Pittman said. “Threw a little bit on Monday, didn’t set so well on Tuesday. Not a lot, but he threw certainly more than he did a week ago.”
Jefferson missed the team’s loss to Mississippi State back in Week 6 because of a suspected concussion. Cade Fortin started but was supplanted by Malik Hornsby for good by halftime. Hornsby ran for more than 100 yards, but completed just eight passes. Arkansas lost 40-17.
Such a loss against LSU would force the Razorbacks to beat either No. 9 Ole Miss or rival Missouri in the season finale to reach six wins and bowl eligibility.
“We certainly have belief that we can have Malik in there and we can go win the game with him,” Pittman said. “We do. So we’ve got to take all of those factors in and see where we go after today (and) tomorrow.”
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