FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Entering the offseason, one of the biggest questions for Arkansas football was who would replace KJ Jefferson at quarterback.
Boise State transfer Taylen Green made a good case for himself in the Razorbacks' Red-White Game Saturday afternoon.
Green, who ran with the first-team offense, lit up Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium with three touchdown passes, 243 yards and only five incompletions while operating in new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's offense.
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman has been vocal about Green's leadership and dual-threat ability throughout spring camp, and the 6-foot-6-inch quarterback delivered.
"I thought [Green] showed a lot of poise today," Pittman said. "Obviously, he's a great leader, and the kids playing around him believe in him."
Green connected with wide receiver Tyrone Broden for a 10-yard touchdown on the game's first drive, giving the Red team an early lead.
"I'm super impressed with how [Broden] came out today," Green said. "We've been down a couple of receives throughout the spring, and all of them didn't complain. They just strapped their helmets on and got to work."
A few minutes later, Green found a different wide receiver, Andrew Armstrong, in the back corner of the endzone for a 20-yard score.
"I thought we caught the ball really well in the group of guys [Green] was playing with," Pittman said. "He made some great throws. We also made some really great catches. It was good to have Tyrone back, and it was good to have Armstrong back. Those guys make us better."
Green completed 16 of 21 passes and added 30 rushing yards on two carries. Pittman said he's Arkansas's starting quarterback, but behind him, it's a "wide-open race" that will go into the fall.
"With the number two quarterback position, it could be any of the three we're running," Pittman said. "Bobby [Petrino] played three second-team guys in the first half. I think it's wide-open in there, and obviously, Taylen Green is our quarterback."
Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson, a transfer from Utah, also had an impressive day in his Razorback debut.
Jackson caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Green and finished with 65 rushing yards and three total touchdowns on nine carries.
"[Jackson] has had a really good spring," Pittman said. "He's a tough kid and was a good get out of the transfer portal... he's got really good hands and I look for our backs to be utilized big time in the receiving game."
Benton native Braylen Russell scored the White team's first points with a 32-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
"Braylen has come a long way," Jackson said. "I can tell that he's starting to get it. His confidence level is starting to rise, and I told him that once he figures it out, he's going to be an All-American. He has the size and the speed... I'm really impressed with him, and I can't wait to see what he can really do."
The Red team beat the White team 38-12 to earn a big breakfast after the game. Pittman said the White team ate cereal.