Here are some quick thoughts on Arkansas’ resounding 31-7 victory over Texas in Monday’s Texas Bowl in Houston:

What it means: The win cements the Razorbacks first winning season since 2011, as Arkansas improved to 7-6 on the year with its 31-7 victory. Equally important, it showed Arkansas’s success in November was not a fluke. The Hogs looked as sharp in this bowl game as they’d looked all season, and it appears Arkansas has turned a corner in the Bret Bielema era.

What I liked: From the Arkansas perspective, I liked just about everything about this game. I liked the way the Razorbacks out-gained Texas by 292 yards, the way they played turnover-free football, the way they earned a 22-minute advantage in time of possession and the way they held the Longhorns rushing attack to just 2 yards. Arkansas dominated Texas in all three phases of the game, even commanding an obvious edge in starting field position. The Hogs average starting field position was at its own 41 yard line; Texas’ was at its own 24. If you’re an Arkansas fan, there’s plenty to like, and this measly paragraph is just scratching the surface.

What I didn’t like: Brandon Allen filled his role as a game-manager under center, but he certainly left some room for improvement entering the offseason. Allen completed just 4 of 9 passes on third down, limiting an Arkansas offense routinely set up with fantastic field position. The Razorbacks were still a force to be reckoned with on offense, and Allen still threw a pair of touchdown passes and avoided an interception for a fourth straight game, but the rising senior quarterback must be sharper in obvious passing situations in 2015 for this offense to reach its full potential.

Who’s the man: There are a number of Razorbacks who deserve individual recognition following the convincing bowl win. Tailbacks Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins combined to rush for 181 yards on 40 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Williams also ran for a touchdown in the second half to cap Arkansas’ scoring for the game. On defense, Trey Flowers, Darius Philon and Martrell Spaight each recorded a sack as the leaders of a menacing defense. Even punter Sam Irwin-Hill landed all four of his punts inside the Texas 20 without a touchback to contribute to the Hogs dominant performance. Arkansas received star performances in all three phases of the game, resulting in a lopsided victory to close the year.

Key drive: Arkansas jumped out to an early 17-0, but the Longhorns responded with a touchdown midway through the quarter to finally get on the board and show signs of life in this game. It appeared Texas might have swung the momentum in its favor heading into halftime, but the Razorbacks responded with a nine-play, 61-yard touchdown drive of their own to go back ahead by 17 with 24 seconds left in the half. The touchdown drive not only extended the Hogs lead back to three scores, but it marked a crushing blow to Texas’ comeback efforts just minutes after its first score of the day. Allen was 5 of 6 passing on the drive, and the offense clicked better than it had all night on a critical drive late in the half.

What’s next: Up next for Arkansas is a promising 2015 season. The Hogs took enormous strides forward this season, especially in November and December, and they’ll be expected to build on that next season. Arkansas will return both of its 1,000-yard rushers and many of its key contributors on defense next year, but the SEC West won’t be any easier either. In Year 3 of the Bielema era, the Razorbacks will be expected to deliver substantial success following a seven-win season in 2014.