FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Fred Talley rushed for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns Saturday as Arkansas fought off an upset bid to down Central Florida, 28-21.
Last week, Arkansas (6-3) needed a record seven overtimes for a 58-56 Southeastern Conference victory over Mississipppi. The Razorbacks needed just the regulation 60 minutes this Saturday but faced a stiff challenge from the Golden Knights.
Talley scored on an 81-yard touchdown run to give Arkansas a 10-7 lead with 11:44 left before halftime. Central Florida (5-5) forged a 10-10 halftime tie on a 21-yard field goal by Javier Beorlegui.
Talley added a 38-yard touchdown run to open the scoring in the second half that gave the Razorbacks the lead for good at 17-10. Arkansas increased its lead to two touchdowns on a nine-yard touchdown toss from Zak Clark to Richard Smith with 4:31 left in the third quarter.
The Golden Knights cut the deficit to 27-20 on a 53-yard pass from Ryan Schneider to Luther Huggins with 3:35 to play. They got the ball back with 1:47 to go on their own 45-yard line and drove to the Arkansas 16.
But Schneider was forced to scramble on fourth down and fumbled. Arkansas free safety Ken Hamlin recovered with 22 seconds left to seal the victory.
Talley carried 27 times for his fourth 100-yard rushing effort of the season and seventh of his career. The Razorbacks gained 238 yards on the ground to only 65 for Central Florida.
Schneider completed 22 of 44 passes for 304 yards and one touchdown.
