Lane Kiffin expects a 'big' challenge in Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson has played really well against Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss defense over the past two seasons. Each game has been a memorable contest and expectations are high for another exciting matchup this weekend in Oxford, Miss.

Kiffin explained what Jefferson brings to the field and how the dual-threat quarterback has grown as a player over the years during his Monday press conference.

“He gets bigger every year,” Kiffin said. “This guy, he’s so hard to bring down and so challenging to play against. Always brings his great game against us also. We got to tackle him really well. We got to cover because he makes so many plays out of rhythm by scrambling and has really good vision downfield and very good accuracy.”

Jefferson’s first start against the Rebels came in 2021, a game that Ole Miss won 52-51 in a barnburner. Jefferson threw the ball for 326 yards and rushed for another 85 yards. He finished the game with six touchdowns, three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.

Arkansas running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders also had 17 carries for 139 yards in the game.

Last year’s game saw Jefferson throw for three touchdowns again in a 42-27 victory but it was the running game that was the storyline. Ole Miss had two players rush for over 200 yards. Quinshon Judkins had 214 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries while Zach Evans had 207 yards and one touchdown himself on 17 carries.

But it was Sanders who stole the show. He ran the ball 24 times for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a standout performance.

The junior running back has dealt with a knee injury this year, causing him to miss three games. He returned this past weekend in Arlington against Texas A&M, rushing the ball 11 times for 34 yards.

Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman admitted following the game Sanders was not 100% for the game. A healthy Sanders would be a gamechanger for Arkansas this Saturday.

“I don’t think he was 100%. It’d be hard for me to think he’d be out for three games and then be able to come in there and just (play well),” Pittman said. “I do think he brought a spark to the team as far as being back and all those types of things. But I think, if you watch the game, I don’t think that you’d think he was at 100%.”