Arkansas offense cooks Oklahoma State in first half as Bobby Petrino aura grows
Arkansas looks drastically improved from a year ago.
In a dominant first half, Arkansas rolled up a 21-7 lead on No. 16 Oklahoma State on the road. Through 6 quarters, the offseason hire of Bobby Petrino looks like an absolute masterstroke from coach Sam Pittman. After scoring touchdowns on all 10 of its offensive possessions in Week 1, Arkansas scored touchdowns on 3 of its first 5 possessions against the Cowboys.
Physicality was a hallmark of the Razorbacks’ first half. The Hogs ran for 174 yards at 7.9 per carry. Quarterback Taylen Green had 68 rushing yards. Tailback Ja’Quinden Jackson had 90 yards and 3 scores on 14 carries.
Green also completed 13 of his 20 passes for 193 yards through the air.
As a team, Arkansas totaled 351 yards of offense at 8 per play. It held Oklahoma State to 77 yards and limited Doak Walker Award-winning tailback Ollie Gordon II to 11 carries on 6 yards.
In the UAPB win, Arkansas had 687 yards of total offense at 9.8 a play. Through Petrino’s first 6 quarters as the team’s play-caller, Arkansas is averaging 9.1 yards per play with a 28% explosive play rate. The Hogs had 8 explosive runs just in the first half against the Cowboys.
Arkansas averaged 4.9 yards per play last season. The Razorbacks had 49 explosive runs in 12 games. They have 14 through 1.5 games. Green threw a pick-6 on the Hogs’ fourth possession of the game in Stillwater, but that’s about the only mistake from the offense to this point in the season.
Razorback fans are loving the new-found potency.
Ja’Quinden Jackson is a problem… in the best sense of the term for Arkansas
— Curtis Wilkerson (@CurtWilkerson_) September 7, 2024
Arkansas completely controlling Oklahoma State early on.
Might be time to Embrace the Hog
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 7, 2024
Arkansas look competent, efficient, organized and athletic.
Basically everything they weren’t last couple years. Long way to go but Petrino is COOKING.
— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) September 7, 2024
Arkansas is good
got dudes all over the place on offense and Petrino knows how to showcase em
Taylen's legs have defenses worried sick
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) September 7, 2024
Bobby Petrino is working Ok State like a speed bag.
Cowboys have NO idea what's coming, pretty much on any play since kickoff
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 7, 2024
It's abundantly clear 1 full game & 2 possessions into 2024 szn = Bobby Petrino's offense NOW & THEN vastly superior to those OC's who ran Arkansas' O in his absence = personnel, play-calling (design & balance), timing, execution, situational decision-making = ALL SUPERIOR !!!
— Kevin McPherson (@ARHoopScoop) September 7, 2024
The second half will take place on ABC. Arkansas will get the ball to start.