Youth picks

Safeties Myles Slusher and Malik Chavis each notched their first career college interception against the Golden Lions and each had questionable returns after their picks.

Slusher put the brakes

on a UAPB scoring opportunity in the second half when the Golden Lions flooded the zone in the left side of the end zone on a snap from the 3-yard line. Quarterback Skyler Perry rolled to his left looking for an open man while under pressure from linebacker Grant Morgan and delivered a throw on which Slusher had inside position on Dae’eion Dawkins.

Slusher unwisely brought the ball out of the end zone with Golden Lions all around and was nearly tackled on the 2-yard line before going down at the 11. Razorbacks’ corner Montaric Brown was penalized for a personal foul and the Hogs were forced to start on their own 5.

Chavis picked off a deep throw by Xzavier Vaughn at the Arkansas 8 early in the third quarter and appeared to return it 79 yards to the Golden Lions’ 13-yard line. However, Dawkins swiped Chavis’ legs just after the interception and the safety’s knee touched briefly as he maintained his balance and built up a head of steam.

Chavis told Pittman his knee had probably touched on the Arkansas 13-yard line and replay confirmed it had, resulting in a 74-yard differential in field position.

Linebacker Bumper Pool recognized the youngsters’ contributions.

“Those are two guys that are going to be studs for the University of Arkansas that came to play today,” Pool said. “I loved seeing Slush get his pick. Same thing with Malik. Love seeing guys like that be successful because they work so hard.”

Pittman said Slusher was a bundle of nerves before making his first start of the season last week in place of Jalen Catalon against Auburn, and that the young defensive backs settled in on Saturday.

“I think the more game time they get, the better they’re going to be,” Pittman said. “I was so happy Chavis got his interception.”