Why Bobby Petrino is still confused about one Arkansas football penalty in loss to Mississippi State

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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino once again spoke with caution when discussing the officiating during the Razorbacks‘ 38-35 loss to Mississippi State.

The Hogs set school records with 18 penalties for 193 yards in their seventh consecutive loss. During the weekly SEC Teleconference on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Petrino confirmed that Arkansas sent in multiple calls to the league office for review.

“We send information in every week and certainly did after that game,” Petrino said. “They give you a report back, some they agree with, some the don’t agree with, some you don’t understand, but we’re also not really supposed to share it with the press on what exactly they say and which ones they agreed with and didn’t agree with.”

One flag that prompted plenty of discussion during the teleconference was an unsportsmanlike penalty on wide receiver CJ Brown with 6:24 remaining in the third quarter.

After a successful two-point conversion from the Razorbacks that extended their lead to 28-14, Brown was flagged for leaving the sideline and joining a mini scuffle on the field. However, Brown was lined up at wide receiver during the play.

“That’s who they said the penalty was on, No. 3” Petrino said. “That’s the only thing I know about that. And then when you watch the video, it was a two-point play, we were in ace personnel. He’s our starting Z receiver and he was on the field.”

The Southwest Times Record rewatched the play, and Brown was seen jogging off to the sideline celebrating with tight end Rohan Jones, who caught the two-point try. However, the camera never shows Brown officially reaching the bench as it then jumps to the scuffle involving multiple Razorbacks who took offense to a hit on Taylen Green during the play.

Brown can then be seen running into the action as the referees are trying to separate the players.

Petrino also received a penalty before the ensuing kickoff for arguing with the official on the Arkansas sideline. The two penalties forced the Hogs to kick from their own 10-yard line, and they seemingly opened up the floodgates of yellow laundry on the field. .

There was a late hit from Maddox Lassiter on the return, giving Mississippi State field position. During the drive, Larry Worth III was ejected for a targeting penalty. The Bulldogs scored a quick touchdown to make it 28-21 and eventually rallied for the win.

Brown’s unsportsmanlike penalty was the first of 12 penalties across the final 21:24 of the game.

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

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: One Arkansas football penalty vs Mississippi State still confuses Bobby Petrino

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