Arkansas (7-6, 3-5 SEC) won its final game of the 2024 season on Saturday with a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl behind a strong performance from quarterback Taylen Green.

The redshirt junior, who just finished his freshman season with the Razorbacks, finished the game with 422 yards of total offense – 341 through the air and 81 on the ground. He finished the game tied with running back Rodney Hill as the Hogs’ leading rusher in the game, and Green was named Liberty Bowl MVP for his efforts.

“I think it was a fast start,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said after the game. “(The defense) made a fourth down stop and then the offense really took over. Taylen took over. We have Taylen Green, a lot of teams don’t, and that gives us a chance to win.”

The Razorbacks started the game at full throttle, scoring on each of their first three possessions. Green was a crucial cog in this machine as he scored the first touchdown of the game with a 12-yard rush. He then showed off his arm with passes of 17 yards and 56 yards to wide receiver Issac TeSlaa, who set up a touchdown run by running back Braylen Russell on the goal line.

First quarter touchdown No. 3 came on a slant route to redshirt freshman receiver Dazmin James, who caught Green’s pass and took it 94 yards to the end zone – the longest pass play in Arkansas program history.

However, Texas Tech didn’t go down without a fight. The Red Raiders cut the lead to 24-19 at halftime and Arkansas needed another spark. Another cue for Green, who found running back Tyrell Reed Jr. alone and unguarded midway through the third quarter for a 43-yard touchdown.

“(Reed), he’s always ready,” Green said after the game. “He’s always learning in the background, whether it’s from (Ja’Quinden Jackson) or (Rashod Dubinion). By (Rodney Hill). He’s always taking things in and asking questions. When he had the opportunity to shine, he made the most of it.”

The Lewisville, Texas, native had only one error in his stats, as he was sacked for a safety in the end zone in the second quarter, but Pittman said afterward that a blocking error in the backfield led to the error.

Green’s 341 passing yards broke the previous Arkansas record in a bowl game set by Bill Montgomery, who threw for 338 against Ole Miss in the 1970 Sugar Bowl.

The former Boise State transfer also became the first Arkansas passer to eclipse 300 yards in a bowl game since Brandon Allen threw for 315 yards against Kansas State in the 2016 Liberty Bowl.

“I’m going to bring (the MVP trophy) to my parents’ crib,” Green said. “Greet my mother, greet my father, greet my sisters and we will celebrate.”

The 2024 Arkansas football season is now over. Next, the Razorbacks will look to successfully complete the transfer portal season. Be sure to follow The Trough’s Premium Forum for updates on the offseason recruiting drive.