WATCH: Arkansas running back AJ Green races for touchdown reception

The Arkansas Razorbacks are piling it on early in Arlington, as running back AJ Green was off to the races for a 48-yard touchdown reception from KJ Jefferson. The score put the Hogs up 17-0 on the Texas A&M Aggies with 13:55 left to play in the second quarter.

Freshman Arkansas running back AJ Green 48-yard touchdown catch pic.twitter.com/Z9zjMtYmNp

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 25, 2021

It was the second touchdown pass of the day for Jefferson, who earlier found receiver Treylon Burks for an 85-yard strike. It was also the second touchdown of the year for Green, a freshman out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He scored on the ground in the Razorbacks’ earlier win against the Texas Longhorns.

Green is one of many members in a dangerous Arkansas backfield. Entering Saturday’s game, five different Hogs had at least 100 yards rushing and the team averaged 282.3 yards per game on the ground.

But at least early, they are doing their damage through the air. The vaunted A&M defense hasn’t been able to stop the big plays, and because of that it is in big trouble. They’ll need to get it together in a hurry before things get even more out of hand.

Moreover, the offense has stalled out on all of its drives thus far. Redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada is starting in place of injured Haynes King at quarterback. Calzada struggled in his first game against Colorado but ultimately did enough to secure the victory. He looked much better the following week against New Mexico, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

The touchdown reception for AJ Green seems like it could only be the beginning in this one. Things are trending down quickly for the Aggies while the Hogs look to continue their surprising start to the 2021 season. After beginning the year unranked, a victory here could be enough to propel them into the top 10 in the AP poll.

Things don’t get any easier for Arkansas going forward. It travels to Georgia next week to take on the No. 2 Bulldogs.