KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders entered the season as one of the top 10 quarterback-running back duos in the country. Arkansas’ offense was hopeful to take a step forward with them in 2023.
Six weeks into the season, they are among the worst, statistically.
Sanders, a preseason All-American running back, has been limited to three games because of a knee injury. He’s had just 94 yards on 31 carries.
Jefferson is a second-team preseason All-SEC selection. His six interceptions are a career high and the season is only half over.
The two have underperformed, but it’s hardly all on them. Arkansas’ offensive line has given up 23 sacks to rank 124 out of 133 FBS teams. In total tackles for-loss against, Arkansas has allowed 47 to rank 127th.
Simply put, Arkansas’ offense isn’t bad, it’s the one of the worst in school history right now. The Razorbacks ranked 111th in Chad Morris second year and 118th the year before. In Bret Bielema’s final year, in 2017, the Hogs were 94th.
The difference? Those teams used a total of 10 quarterbacks in three seasons. Arkansas’ offensive line play has let down the offense tremendously as the Razorbacks carry just a 2-4 record six games into the season after Saturday’s loss at Ole Miss.
Here are the only power-conference offenses worse than the Hogs’ at the midway point of the season.