Arkansas Razorbacks Rally To Beat Louisiana-Monroe 28-27

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas again staved off an embarrassing upset. Barely.

It took another fourth quarter comeback for the Razorbacks to escape Louisiana-Monroe, 28-27, before a crowd of 55,048 at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas narrowly avoided losing its first non-conference game at War Memorial Stadium since 1993.

Arkansas (2-0) scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull out a much-closer victory than anticipated against a Sun Belt Conference program. Louisiana-Monroe led much of the game a week after suffering a 34-0 loss at Auburn.

Sophomore tight end D.J. Williams made the biggest play of the night when he recorded his second touchdown on an 8-yard reception with 1:22 left. He caught the ball in traffic and walk-on transfer Shay Haddock added the extra point to give the Razorbacks a 28-27 lead.

ULM had one more chance in the final minute, but Jeremy Gener's 45-yard field goal try was wide right and short.

Louisiana-Monroe (0-2) led 24-6 entering the fourth quarter. Like last week's 28-24 victory against Western Illinois, the Razorbacks were forced to play from behind as it opened the Bobby Petrino era.

"We just fought and fought and fought," Petrino said. "We were able to come from behind. I hope that we learn something from this game and it helps us grow as a team. Guys made plays when they needed to make plays."

ULM's Gener had hit a pair of field goals earlier, but couldn't connect on his longest attempt of the night. Gener had connected from 20 and 40 yards.

Gener's 40-yarder gave the Warhawks a 27-14 lead with 12:56 remaining.