No. 11 Arkansas didn’t have its sharpest effort of the season, but the Razorbacks held on for a 24-17 victory over Texas A&M in the second Southwest Classic at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Razorbacks (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) outgained the Aggies had 442 yards of offense, but struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities in a contest with five turnovers and 23 penalties.

“I always talk to our team about playing hard and playing for four quarters and that certainly was a game where it came to the last second,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “I was really proud of our defense. I thought we played very fast, we played physical, we did a nice job of mixing things up and giving the quarterback different looks.

“Offensively we’re not used to not executing like that, but you’ve got to give them credit. They’ve been playing good defense all year long, they put a lot of pressure on you with their different looks. It’s a hard-fought, good victory and we’ll certainly take it.”

The Aggies drove to the Hogs’ 39-yard line with six seconds left in the game, but Arkansas safety Tramain Thomas intercepted Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson’s hail mary at the goal line as time expired.

“Last play, I knew they were trying to get it to (Jeff Fuller), so I just came in there and intercepted it” Thomas said. “I tried to knock it down against Georgia and they almost caught it, so I had it in my mindset that I was going up to get the ball.”

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett completed 27-of-38 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas also ran for 132 yards, but the Hogs failed to score on six drives that reached Texas A&M territory.

“We did run the ball better, but we need to convert our third downs and we need to be able to protect the quarterback and hit plays when they’re open,” Petrino said. “We had some plays that could have made a difference in the game and we just missed them.”

The Aggies finished with 324 yards of offense, but were hindered by three lost fumbles. Johnson completed just 15-of-40 passes for 212 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.

“We were just trying to keep Johnson in the pocket and make him make hard decisions and hard throws,” Thomas said. “Their offense played pretty good, they moved the ball on us, but we came through at the end.”

Arkansas started quickly when Mallett found Joe Adams in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard score on third-and-7. The score was set up by Davis’ 45-yard run to the Arkansas 13.

Texas A&M evened the score after cornerback Terrence Frederick intercepted Mallett and returned it to the Arkansas 2-yard line. The Hogs’ defense held the Aggies for three downs, but sophomore running back Christine Michael bulled in from two yards out.

The interception was Mallett’s third in the Hogs’ last four possessions, dating back to the Alabama game.

“They did a good job of mixing things up,” Petrino said about the Texas A&M defense. “They were spinning and doing some new things they hadn’t really shown. (Mallett’s) got to be able to sit in there and keep his feet planted, see what’s going on and do what he’s been coached.

Arkansas needed just three plays to retake the lead. Mallett eluded a Texas A&M defender and found receiver Cobi Hamilton for a 71-yard score. Texas A&M cornerback Coryell Judie went for the interception, missed and Hamilton walked the final 10 yards into the end zone.

“Cobi’s a great player for us,” Petrino said. “He’s a guy that can go get the ball when it’s up in the air/ we have to continue to give him touches and he’s going to make plays.”

The Hogs got the ball in Texas A&M territory when Greg Gatson stripped Aggies’ receiver Jeff Fuller and safety Elton Ford recovered at the Texas A&M 37. Freshman Zach Hocker missed a 49-yard field goal wide right, though.

Arkansas got the ball in Aggies’ territory again when junior cornerback Greg Gatson stripped Texas A&M receiver Jeff Fuller. Safety Tramain Thomas recovered at the Aggies’ 37 and the Hogs picked up a first down, setting up a 37-yard field goal attempt.

The Razorbacks attempted a fake field goal, but holder Austin Tucker’s pitch was out of Hocker’s reach and the Aggies recovered at their own 26. Texas A&M went three-and-out, though, and the Hogs needed just five plays to score.

“Anytime it doesn’t work it’s a bad call,” Petrino said. “We worked on the look all week and they gave us the look in the previous extra points and field goal, but it didn’t work, so it’s a bad call.”

Junior Greg Childs made a leaping 28-yard catch, setting up Mallett’s 6-yard touchdown throw to tight end Ben Cleveland with 53 seconds left in the  half.

The Aggies put together a four-play, 64-yard drive, cutting the score to 21-14 when Johnson found Jeff Fuller for a 31-yard score with eight seconds left in the half.

Arkansas outgained Texas A&M 317-153 in the first half, but the Hogs were hampered by 10 penalties. The Hogs struggled with false-start penalties.

“It was loud,” Petrino said. “We were trying to change plays at the line of scrimmage, because of what they were doing. We didn’t do a good job of staying in our stance, concentrating and focusing. That’s way, way too many penalties.”

The Aggies cut the lead to 21-17 on Randy Bullock’s 38-yard field goal with 7:56 left in the third quarter. Johnson set up the field goal when he found Jeff Fuller for a 69-yard to the Arkansas 22 on third-and-11.

Texas A&M had an opportunity to take the lead after forcing a three-and-out, but Aggies’ running back Christine Michael fumbled untouched and Arkansas safety Rudell Crim recovered at the Texas A&M 30. The turnover set up Hocker’s 39-yard field goal with 5:04 left in the third quarter.

Neither team would score again and the Hogs held on for the win, while top-ranked Alabama lost 35-21 to South Carolina. Arkansas plays at No. 8 and undefeated Auburn.

“Our focus is going to Auburn and getting a win,” Petrino said. “That’s all you can do in this conference and college football, is concentrate on the week you have. Auburn’s a very good team. We’ve seen them play a few times this year. We know we’re going to have to be at the top of our game on offense, defense and special teams.”