Green throws six TDs as Arkansas dominates Alabama A&M in season opener

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Taylen Green tied for the second-most scoring passes in a single game in Arkansas history, throwing six touchdown passes as the Razorbacks defeated Alabama A&M 52-7 in their 2025 season opener at Razorback Stadium.

Green completed 24 of 31 passes for 322 yards, spreading the ball to five different receivers, three of whom were not on Arkansas’ roster last year. O’Mega Blake, a transfer from Charlotte, led the receiving corps with seven catches for 121 yards and one touchdown.

CJ Brown caught four passes—two for touchdowns—while Raylen Sharpe, Andreas Paaske and Jalen Brown accounted for the other three TD receptions.

Arkansas lost 94% of its receiving yards from the 2024 season, and coach Sam Pittman emphasized the importance of involving new personnel. “I was proud that we were able to throw the ball to a lot of different people, get them involved,” Pittman said. “I think that’s going to help us in the future.”

Alabama A&M, competing at the FCS level, opened the scoring on its first drive, responding to Green’s first touchdown pass to CJ Brown. That seven-play, 75-yard drive was all the Bulldogs would manage, finishing with just 160 total yards for the game.

Green departed near the end of the third quarter, after delivering Arkansas a 38-point lead. His replacement, KJ Jackson, needed just three plays to add another score, tossing a 27-yard touchdown pass to running back Mike Washington Jr.

Washington also paced the Razorbacks on the ground, rushing nine times for a team-high 79 yards. Maurice Edwards IV scored Alabama A&M’s lone touchdown.

Pittman acknowledged uncertainty about whether Blake’s performance — seven catches for 121 yards — could be repeated.

“I don’t know if you can sustain that. I’d like for him to,” he said. “Did I want him to do that? Yes. Did I know he could do that? Yes. If that’s the case, yes, we’ll expect that.”

Arkansas has regularly faced FCS opponents in season openers, with recent matchups frequently against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Razorbacks have won five of the last seven such games by a combined score of 268-27.

While the offense looked capable of ranking among the top 10 in FBS for a second consecutive season, the coaching staff acknowledged the limited challenge presented by Alabama A&M. Arkansas will face a more telling test when it plays its first power-conference opponent in mid-September.

Three Takeaways

• Green establishes early momentum – Six touchdown passes to five receivers underline a potent passing game and Green’s command of his first college start.

• Depth and versatility become essential – Involving ten different pass-catchers addresses massive turnover in the receiver corps and offers promise for sustainability.

• Next up, a stronger test – A dominant performance against an FCS opponent provides confidence, but evaluations will hinge on response against FBS competition in coming weeks.