FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas could never catch up with Texas Tech in a throwback to the days of the Southwest Conference on Saturday.
The Red Raiders never trailed in a 35-24 win at Razorback Stadium. After starting the season ranked No. 18 nationally, the Razorbacks lost their second straight home game to fall to 1-2 overall ahead of starting Southeastern Conference play next week.
Patrick Mahomes passed for 243 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for two more touchdowns for the Red Raiders (3-0). Texas Tech overcame two first half interceptions thrown by Mahomes to win their first game in Fayetteville in 25 years.
Arkansas matched Texas Tech score-for-score in the first half, but failed to keep up with the Red Raiders after halftime. The Razorbacks reached the red zone twice in the half, but settled for a field goal on one drive and had a touchdown overturned because of an offensive pass interference penalty on another.
The penalty against Hunter Henry wiped out a score that would have pulled Arkansas within four points with more eight minutes remaining. The Razorbacks came away with no points on the drive after Cole Hedlund missed a 37-yard field goal.
Texas Tech took the lead for good on a 2-yard touchdown run by Mahomes on the first possession of the second half. Arkansas had tied the game 21-21 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Allen to Drew Morgan with 1:03 left in the first half.
A 22-yard field goal by Hedlund pulled the Razorbacks within 28-24 late in the third quarter, but the Red Raiders pushed the lead to 11 points on Justin Stockton's 22-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
For the second consecutive week the Razorbacks didn't score a touchdown after halftime.
After holding Arkansas to a three-and-out, Texas Tech scored on its first possession of the game. The Red Raiders took the lead on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Reginald Davis.
Arkansas failed to score on its first two possessions, but caught a break when D.J. Dean intercepted Mahomes at the Hogs' 40-yard line.
The Razorbacks capitalized on the turnover, scoring seven plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run by Alex Collins. Jared Cornelius helped set up the touchdown with a 34-yard reception, but he suffered an arm injury on the play and didn't return to the game.
As it would throughout the game, Texas Tech regained the lead using quick drives and big plays. A 38-yard run by DeAndre Washington set up Mahomes' first touchdown run of the game, a 1-yard sneak on third down late in the first quarter.
Allen's 7-yard touchdown pass to Henry tied the game 14-14 midway through the second quarter, but the Red Raiders regained the lead two plays later when receiver Jakeem Grant threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Davis after lining up at running back.
Like the week before against Toledo, Arkansas dominated time of possession but did not win. Texas Tech had the ball for close to 14 fewer minutes than the Razorbacks, but out-gained Arkansas by 62 yards on offense.
Allen completed 16 of 21 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted on the Razorbacks' second drive of the game.
Collins rushed for 170 yards, recording his ninth career 100-yard rushing game. Collins fumbled on Arkansas' final drive, allowing the Red Raiders to run out the clock.
Davis caught five passes for 115 yards for Texas Tech, which beat Arkansas for only the eighth time in 37 meetings.
The Razorbacks are scheduled to play No. 17 Texas A&M next Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.