Arkansas football delivers on Ryan Silverfield's program pillars vs Tulsa

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football finally won the turnover battle and played a disciplined game.

All offseason, first-year coach Ryan Silverfield promised these would be two qualities that define the Razorbacks. It took four weeks, but Arkansas (2-2) grabbed the upper-hand in both categories during a 34-6 win over Tulsa on Saturday, Sept. 26.

A victorious penalty margin during the Week 1 game against North Alabama was the only previous time this season the Hogs were better than their opponent in either individual statistic.

“I think we took a step in the right direction,” Silverfield said. “I think the thing I keep talking to you guys about is how do we keep finding improvements in all phases of our game, and continue to find ways to build all of this, but excited and proud.”

Silverfield needed this type of win after three trying weeks to begin his tenure. Arkansas fans had paper bags over their heads during the loss to Georgia. A perceived crisis within the football program spilled over into a “resolution” from the Board of Trustees and had athletic director Hunter Yurachek feeling the heat.

But against Tulsa, Arkansas showed the blueprints of a Silverfield program. Memphis combined for a turnover margin of plus-27 in Silverfield’s final two seasons with the Tigers. They were second nationally in 2024 (plus-18) and 12th in 2025 (plus-9).

Quarterback KJ Jackson was on the wrong end of an interception, but the Hogs forced and recovered a pair of fumbles against the Golden Hurricane (3-1) to win the turnover battle 2-1.

Late in the third quarter, defensive lineman Antonio Sandel-Bascomb jarred the ball loose from Tulsa quarterback Dexter Williams, and linebacker Ben Bogle fell on the loose possession. The takeaway came six snaps after Jackson’s pick and was Arkansas’ first forced turnover since the second period of the Week 2 loss to Utah.

Bogle replaced the injured Bradley Shaw and made his first start for the Hogs. He finished with four tackles, a sack and the fumble recovery.

“I saw the ball, went ‘It’s my ball.’ That’s kind of my mentality. I’m not gonna let anybody else get it,” Bogle said.

Arkansas then forced another turnover on the ensuing Tulsa possession. Cornerback Shelton Lewis got beat on a comeback route by wide receiver Chris Gacayan II, but Lewis didn’t give up on the play. He ripped the football out and then fell on it himself.

Both turnovers led to points as Arkansas kicked a field goal after the first and scored a touchdown off the second.

However, Lewis’ strip led to Arkansas’ second-and-final penalty of the game. Steven Soles Jr. got called for unsportsman like conduct removing his helmet in celebration.

The only other penalty against Arkansas was a roughing the passer flag against Hunter Osborne during Tulsa’s lone touchdown drive.

The Razorbacks finished with two penalties for 30 yards, while Tulsa had nine for 63. There wasn’t a single flag thrown on the Arkansas’ offense.

That’s a winning formula. Silverfield isn’t settling after finally getting this type of commitment to his program pillars.

“Those are self-inflicted penalties,” he said. “It would’ve been nice to get out of the game penalty-free, but I thought we played relatively clean other than that.”

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football delivers on Ryan Silverfield’s program pillars vs Tulsa