What Bret Bielema said after Arkansas’ win against Louisiana Tech
Highlights from Bret Bielema’s post-game presser following Arkansas’ 21-20 win over Louisiana Tech in Fayetteville:
Bielema commented on the disappointment of squeaking out a close win in what many considered a favorable matchup.
Bret Bielema, to the media: Everybody would have liked to come out with a bigger margin of victory.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) September 3, 2016
The Razorbacks faced a 20-14 deficit in the fourth quarter before rallying for the win. Bielema joked that the Razorbacks wanted to keep their fans in the stadium for the entire game.
Bielema starts his postgame presser with a joke: "We tried to keep everyone in the stands for a full four quarters."
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) September 3, 2016
Bielema credited his team’s resiliency and maturation process. He said wasn’t sure if his past three teams would have been able to mount the comeback.
Bielema: I don't know if, in my first three years here, we would have won that football game.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) September 3, 2016
Bielema’s teams have used a run-heavy scheme. Despite rushing 40 times, the coach said he intended to take more attempts, especially with freshman Devwah Whaley, who was limited to just two carries for one yard.
Bielema: "Probably wish we'd ran it a little bit more."
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
He says Whaley should have gotten carries in the 4th.
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
Bielema says Whaley didn't get touches because he went with experience in a close game instead.
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
Bielema said Jeremy Sprinkle’s game-winning touchdown was a “pure gut” feeling, yet was still impressed with the result.
"Pure gut feel," on the final fourth-down call.
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
The name of the Jeremy Sprinkle TD play? "Oh my gosh"
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) September 3, 2016
Bielema credited Louisiana Tech’s defense for pressuring quarterback Austin Allen, who made his first career start on Saturday.
Bielema: La Tech was bringing pressures we hadn't seen from them, and you get some of that in the first game.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) September 3, 2016
Bielema: "A lot things that happened today weren't his (Allen's) fault." They took some plays away from him in second half.
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
Bielema credited his own offensive line as well for a strong effort in Saturday’s win.
Bielema on new O-line guys: "To have those guys in there and play as well as they did, a positive step in the right direction."
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
However, he was less impressed by his defense, who allowed a 40 percent third down efficiency.
Bielema: "We missed some tackles. When we didn't make tackles, that's part of their success."
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
Bielema: "It's not going to be a great Sunday to come in and watch film."
— Eric Bolin (@ericwbolin) September 3, 2016
Bielema also said he didn’t know the extent of three players who were injured on Saturday.
Bielema doesn't know the extent of the injuries to Jared Cornelius, Kevin Richardson and Austin Cantrell.
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) September 3, 2016