Arkansas coach Sam Pittman made it clear throughout the week the Razorbacks would lean heavily on freshman running back Braylen Russell at Mississippi State.
“Young doesn’t mean you can’t be good,” Pittman said at his Monday news conference. “We’re going to turn around and let the horse eat a little bit.”
As it turned out, Russell ate a lot Saturday to help fuel the Razorbacks’ 58-25 victory over the Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium.
Russell, who signed with Arkansas out of Benton High School, had 16 carries for 175 yards.
The Razorbacks needed a big game from Russell with senior Ja’Quinden Jackson — their leading rusher on the season with 592 yards — missing Saturday’s game because of an ankle injury.