October 17, 2026 at 11:04 p.m.
by Christina Long
When wide receiver Chris Marshall left Arkansas’ game against Vanderbilt in the second quarter, the Razorbacks lost their most important offensive weapon.
Marshall entered the game as the SEC’s third-leading wideout with 100.8 yards per game and had accounted for 30% of Arkansas’ targets through six games.
The Razorbacks needed someone to step up. In their 31-21 road win over the Commodores on Saturday, someone did.
Antonio Jordan subbed in for Marshall after he exited with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The sophomore from Warren dropped the first pass that came his way, but he more than made up for it after that.
Five plays later, Jordan caught back-to-back passes of 12 and 11 yards to set the Razorbacks up at the 11. That allowed Cam Settles to punch it in and tie the game at 14 with 37 seconds left in the half.
Jordan said there was no moment that a coach or teammate told him he needed to step up; he knew.
“They know what to expect out of me, and I know what I’m capable of,” Jordan said. “I know I’m next up. So, it’s time to get the job done.”
MORE FROM WHOLEHOGSPORTS | Commentary: Make no mistake, staying unbeaten vs. Vanderbilt in Nashville was huge
Jordan set Settles up again at the end of the third quarter. He had a 32-yard catch on a good ball from KJ Jackson that put the Razorbacks at the Vanderbilt 3, and Settles cashed in on the next play to give the Razorbacks a 28-21 lead. It was Jordan’s fourth reception of the game, surpassing the 3 he had in his previous 5 appearances combined.
Jordan finished the game as Arkansas’ leading receiver with 74 yards on 5 catches.
“I think one of the things I’ve been talking about with a lot of our guys is when the results aren’t always going your way, keeping that confidence, keeping that belief, and going and pushing, and I think he got to see that tonight,” Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield said. “Hopefully that gives him the ability to go out and continue to make plays.”
Twelve different Razorbacks caught passes in the win. Ty Lockwood had the second-most receptions with 3 for 26 yards. Jamari Hawkins was the No. 2 wideout with 44 yards on 2 receptions, including a clutch 31-yard grab on Arkansas’ final possession to help put the game away.
Monte Harrison, too, had a big chunk play with a 37-yard reception on his lone catch of the game.
“Every Monday, you guys were saying, ‘Ryan, who else has got to step up?’ And I said, ‘man, that’ll be the interesting thing. We need other guys to step up,’” Silverfield said. “I think tonight, whether it’s Antonio Jordan, a multitude of guys that stepped up when they were called. … Proud of those guys. Obviously we hope Chris gets healthy, but we feel comfortable, and I think tonight showcased we have enough guys that are able to play at a high level.”
Good on the ground
Settles played his 15th game for the Razorbacks on Saturday, and his 11-yard touchdown just before halftime was the first of his career.
The sophomore from Little Rock Parkview scored a second touchdown in the third quarter, becoming the first Arkansas running back this season to score multiple touchdowns in a game. He finished with 11 carries for 45 yards.
Settles was key in an Arkansas run game that put up a season-high 187 yards, but it was Benton’s Braylen Russell who led the running backs with 14 carries for 51 yards. Sutton Smith had 4 carries for 29 yards, his fewest of the season in both categories.
“I got questioned last week why we rotate so many backs. I think they all did a nice job,” Silverfield said. “I thought everybody did their part in the run game. We’re going to go back and say, ‘Man, it was 187 yards, and it probably could have been 250.’ We’re going to continue to find ways to improve it, but it was nice to have that going. I think that allowed the offense to get a little bit of rhythm as the game went on.”
The quarterback run game was crucial. Jackson had a team-high 58 yards on 11 attempts.
“I think to get KJ involved enough in the run game is huge,” Silverfield said. “Obviously, there were some designed quarterback runs there. … I always said, ‘Man, it’s third-and-5, let’s not get another one of the balls batted down. Let’s put our foot in the ground. First read, second read, hit north and south. Maybe get 6 yards.’ So I was pleased with him to be able to use his legs and trust his athleticism.”
Punt swap
Arkansas’ punting woes from the Tennessee game continued Saturday. Gavin Rush entered the game averaging 39.1 yards per attempt, the lowest among SEC punters with at least 10 punts.
His first punt of the game was 35 yards and set Vanderbilt up near midfield at the Arkansas 48, but the Razorback defense managed to force a three-and-out.
He had punts of 39 and 22 yards in the second half, the latter of which came when Arkansas was around midfield, but went to the Vanderbilt 20.
Jesse Ehrlich, the fifth-year transfer from Cal Poly who had punted once for the Razorbacks prior to Saturday’s game, replaced Rush in the second half. He punted 51 yards on his first attempt in the third quarter, and it went for a touchback after it bounced inside the 10 and Arkansas gunners failed to save it from sneaking across the goal line.
Ehrlich had another punt of 42 yards to the Vanderbilt 8 in the fourth quarter.
O-line shuffle
Arkansas center Caden Kitler suffered a broken toe earlier this season and has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, according to Chuck Barrett on the Razorback Sports Network pregame show.
Kitler was replaced in the second half of last week’s loss to Tennessee by Kash Courtney, and Silverfield said after the game that Kitler had been dealing with an injury but did not disclose the issue.
The sophomore Courtney got his first career start against Vanderbilt.
“I was so pleased with the offensive line,” Silverfield said. “I think Cash did well. I think the offensive line is starting to jell and play a little bit better together. I thought the communication was on point. When you go to a game and rush for 190 yards and give up 0 sacks with a team that’s trying to blitz you exclusively first, second and third down, and just trying to get after you, I’m quite pleased.”
The offensive line had to shuffle in the second half when left tackle Kavion Broussard left the field with the training staff with 1:33 left in the third quarter. Adam Hawks moved from right to left tackle, and Bryant Williams came in on the right. Broussard later returned to the game.
Special guests
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was in attendance at FirstBank Stadium. Sankey spent time with Silverfield and athletics director Hunter Yurachek before the game.
Former Arkansas offensive lineman Fernando Carmona was also present. Carmona is in his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans after he was drafted in the fifth round in April. Carmona has started three games for the Titans, but is on injured reserve after an ankle injury he suffered Sept. 27. He was on crutches on the sideline before kickoff Saturday.
Log in or create an account to continue reading.
Privacy Preferences
Copyright © 2026, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. (NWA Media)
All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.
Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2026, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.
