Here are some thoughts of Arkansas’ miracle OT win over Ole Miss on Saturday, the Razorbacks’ second overtime win in three weeks.

5 TAKEAWAYS

1. Miracle play saves the game. Alex Collins converted a bounce-pass lateral play on 4th-and-25 that, not only Razorback fans, but all of college football will be talking about for years to come.

That put Arkansas inside the 10-yard line, where it would eventually score and go for two.

2. Offense shows what could have been. At times this one appeared to be a battle of the SEC’s two best offenses, as Arkansas at their best is one of the most potent offense in the conference.

Unfortunately inconsistencies, injuries, and a bad defense have really limited this talented team this season.

3. Drew Morgan is a go-to guy. A healthy WR Drew Morgan was the Razorbacks best offensive weapon for QB Brandon Allen, not RB Alex Collins or TE Hunter Henry.

After leaving last week’s game with a shoulder injury, Morgan was healthy and finished with 9 catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns.

4. Collins cracks 1,000. Arkansas had so much success throwing that Collins only got 17 carries. But he finished with 108 yards and topped 1,000 for the season.

5. Third down was key. Arkansas converted 7 of 13 on third down, a key reason it topped 50 points for the third consecutive game. Of course, one of the third downs it missed was the play that set up the 4th-down miracle in OT.

REPORT CARD

Offense: A. The Razorbacks could not be stopped. Given how many more yards they gained through the air vs. the run (442-163), the game plan was surprisingly balanced (45 passes, 39 runs).

They needed both to win, and not just in overtime, when they threw for a touchdown and ran for the winning conversion.

Defense: D. This game came down to who had the ball last. Fortunately Arkansas did because it had no answer for Chad Kelly and Co. The Razorbacks allowed 368 passing yards and 3 TD passes, and 222 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs.

Special teams: C. The special teams made little impact, although PK Cole Hedlund kicked his career high with a 45-yard field goal. Big returns gave the Rebels good position time and time again. The blocked kick to end regulation could have been disaster for Arkansas had it not been for Allen’s heroics.

Coaching: A. Bret Bielema coached what might have been his best game of the season highlighted by the call to go for two and the win in overtime. Had they not converted this might be a completely different conversation.

GAME BALLS

  • Hunter Henry: Henry’s impact may have been minimal for most of the game, but his lateral to Alex Collins set up the Razorbacks’ biggest upset of the season.
  • Brandon Allen: if only one game ball could be handed out, it would go to Allen without a moment’s hesitation.

  • Arkansas Offensive Line: Against an Ole Miss defensive line that includes the potential no. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL DT Robert Nkemdiche the Razorbacks offensive line really held their own, giving Allen just enough time to make the big plays in this one.
  • Dominque Reed: Though Morgan could easily be featured on this list as well, let’s give the Razorbacks other star receiver a shoutout who finished with 7 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, including the one that sent the game into overtime.

INJURY REPORT

CB D.J. Dean appeared to be injured early in the first quarter but stuck it out. The cornerback even broke up a huge pass on 4th-and-6 to stop the Rebels’ game-winning drive at midfield to end the fourth quarter.