Win probability chart shows insanity of Arkansas-Kansas game

Arkansas Razorbacks players pose with the Liberty Bowl trophy after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2022 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 55-53. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Win probability graphic highlights insanity of Arkansas-Kansas 3OT game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 12/28/22

A certified snoozefest quickly turned into an all-time classic on Wednesday night between Kansas and Arkansas.

The two programs met in Memphis, Tenn. for the Liberty Bowl. There was little entertainment for most of the night as Arkansas was laying a beatdown on Kansas, leading 38-13 midway through the third quarter. But suddenly, the Jayhawks arose like the “Call an ambulance, but not for me” meme.

After clawing back 10 points by the beginning of the fourth quarter, Kansas somehow managed to score 15 points in the final 1:05 of regulation to tie the game at 38 (after recovering an onside kick). Jalon Daniels found Luke Grimm for a 21-yard touchdown strike with 41 seconds left, then found Lawrence Arnold for the game-tying two-point conversion.

Kansas was down 15 points with 66 seconds left in the game against Arkansas.

They scored 15 points in the final 1:05 to tie the game and send it to OT

@Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/FJqC7mtqH1

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 29, 2022

The 2 Point Conversion for Kansas to tie the game. pic.twitter.com/zsoODvnxLb

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) December 29, 2022

Overtime was even wilder as it took three periods to finally decide the victor. The two teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime and then traded touchdowns AND two-point conversions in the second overtime. Arkansas had stuffed Kansas on the Jayhawks’ initial two-point try, but Kansas got another shot after the Razorbacks were flagged for targeting on the play.

WOOOOW! Arkansas stopped Kansas on the 2 point try to win the game… BUT the refs called Arkansas for targeting! It's being reviewed….. Insane! pic.twitter.com/lOyUZa2JwT

— @ (@FTBeard7) December 29, 2022

Per NCAA rules, the third overtime consisted only of alternating two-point attempts. Arkansas converted theirs, then stopped Kansas’ razzle-dazzle trick play try to finally escape with the 55-53 victory.

Kansas, down two, go for the two-point conversion to tie things up in the third overtime and… ???

Arkansas win the Liberty Bowl

@SportsCenter | @RazorbackFB pic.twitter.com/RJQ0CvSccP

— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) December 29, 2022

The win probability graphic for that chaotic fever dream of a game looked just about how you would expect it to. Check it out (with special emphasis on how close Arkansas was to 100 percent near the end of regulation as well as after their touchdown and two-point conversion in the second overtime).

The Arkansas vs. Kansas win probability looked like my EKG during the game.

Either that or it’s literally like an earthquake on a seismograph.

What a wild game! #WPS #GoHogs pic.twitter.com/b1TLX1Mp3j

— Dan Skoff (@weatherdan) December 29, 2022

We have seen some ridiculous multiple-overtime affairs in college football before but perhaps none that was quite like that. Blessings to bowl season.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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