Tulsa vs. Arkansas Recap: Gilbert's Four Field Goals Keep It Under

Arkansas beat Tulsa 34-6, and it was never really in doubt after the first quarter. Arkansas led 16-0 at halftime on a KJ Jackson touchdown run and three Max Gilbert field goals. Tulsa punted on all five of its first-half drives. Tulsa finally scored on a Damari Alston 1-yard run in the third quarter, and Arkansas answered in 1:31 with a 20-yard Jackson touchdown pass to Chris Marshall. Gilbert added a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth, and Jackson's 11-yard run with 5:44 left set the final. One DARIMARKET play cashed on this game: the alt under.

What cashed

ALT: Under 58.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: The main total was 51.5. Tulsa had allowed 10, 17 and 0 points, and Arkansas had scored 10 and 17 in its last two games. The alt gave us seven points above the main number.
• What happened: The teams combined for 40 points, 18.5 under the line. It would have stayed under the main 51.5 too. Arkansas moved the ball for 441 yards, but Gilbert went 4 of 4 on field goals, from 23, 35, 29 and 38 yards, so several long drives ended with three points instead of seven. Tulsa's offense produced one touchdown and 241 yards, lost two fumbles and was stopped on downs on its last full drive. The under was never in real danger: even after Jackson's late touchdown, the game sat 18.5 points short of the number.
• Worth watching: A total built on two defenses that had been allowing little and two offenses that had been scoring little is worth a look again, and the extra cushion over the main number is what makes the alt comfortable. Arkansas' four field goals were a big part of this one staying low.

How the game played out

Jackson completed 24 of 36 passes for 309 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he ran for two more scores. Marshall was the difference: 9 catches for 195 yards with a long of 50. Tulsa's Dexter Williams II threw for 176 yards on 32 attempts. Tulsa ran for just 65 yards on 23 carries, went 5-for-14 on third down and committed 9 penalties for 63 yards. Arkansas held the ball for 37:31, which kept the Tulsa offense off the field.

Trends to watch

• Arkansas kicked four field goals and scored three touchdowns while gaining 441 yards. Red-zone finishing is what kept this total down, and it's worth checking before the next Arkansas total.
• Marshall had 9 catches for 195 yards. His receiving yards line is worth a look next time Jackson is under center.
• Tulsa ran for 65 yards and held the ball for only 22:29. An offense that can't stay on the field shortens games and helps unders.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these terms? Read up on the total, the alt line and our college football hub.