The Razorbacks led the Toledo Rockets by one point for 6 minutes and 47 seconds during the second quarter.

After Toledo kicked a field goal later that same quarter, Arkansas never led again. After heavy hype and favorable predictions all offseason, the Razorbacks have been sent reeling by a team from the Mid-American Conference that had never before beaten an SEC team.

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • Arkansas’ defense lags behind against an up-tempo offense. Arkansas’ only touchdown drive took 8 plays and 3 minutes, 47 seconds. A subsequent Toledo drive that ended in a field goal took 8 plays and 1 minute, 44 seconds. The quickness of the Rockets offense allowed them to control the tempo of the game, which is something that the Razorbacks are usually known for.
  • Toledo’s defense shut the Arkansas run game down. Alex Collins was frustrated over and over again, as he finished the day with only 54 rushing yards. In total, the Razorbacks were held to 103 rushing yards. The Rockets defense also stiffened every time the Razorbacks entered the red zone, allowing the Razorbacks to score only twice.
  • Keon Hatcher has butterfingers. He dropped several passes that were well delivered to him by Brandon Allen. Hatcher didn’t have a poor performance. He finished the day with 7 receptions, tying a career high, and 92 yards. However, considering how badly the Razorbacks needed the chains to move, the passes that Hatcher dropped became that much more crucial.
  • Hunter Henry is Allen’s most reliable weapon. Henry had 8 receptions for 117 yards, averaging 14.6 yards per catch. Aside from the quarterback, Henry was one of the driving forces behind the offense on Saturday.
  • Brandon Allen can lead a pass-heavy offense. Is an unbalanced offense like the one that emerged against Toledo good? Of course not. However, it is comforting to know that if all else fails, Allen can continue to drive the team forward through his passing ability. Eight different Razorbacks made receptions, and Allen threw for a career high of 412 yards.

REPORT CARD

Offense: C- — Other than Allen and Henry’s individual performances, the Arkansas offense looked below average. Even though Toledo’s offense had less total yardage than Arkansas, the Rockets were able to march down to the red zone again and again, and cash in. The Razorbacks did not do the same.

Defense: D — It’s painful to think that the Razorbacks defense, the “Front Force,” deserves to be graded this low, not only this early in the season but at all. However, the fact remains that the Rockets exposed the defense’s weaknesses and the Razorbacks were slow to adjust. The defense was able to make some end zone stands in the second half that turned touchdowns into field goals, but it was too little too late.

Special Teams: B — When all other squads were floundering, the special teams managed a decent performance. Arkansas tackle Dan Skipper blocked a field goal during the first half at the end of Toledo’s third offensive drive. As kick returner, Eric Hawkins averaged 21 yards per return. Jared Cornelius also returned a punt for 43 yards, and would have had a punt return touchdown had Arkansas not committed a holding penalty.

Coaching: C — While people will be giving coach Bret Bielema and coordinator Dan Enos flack for allowing the Razorbacks offense to become one-dimensional, I can also understand why the run game was mostly abandoned for the pass. When something isn’t working, why waste precious time trying to force it? But it was also clear that Bielema didn’t have full faith in Allen even when so much of the game had been placed on the quarterback’s shoulders. During the offensive drive after Allen was intercepted in the end zone, the offense ran three ineffective run plays inside the Toledo 10 in an attempt to score a touchdown. Allen attempted only one pass. It was clear Bielema still didn’t trust Allen, especially after the interception.

Overall: D+ — Bielema stated that he was embarrassed, especially for the that traveled to Little Rock. I would have to agree.

GAME PLAN

When the Razorbacks discovered that their running backs were unable to move the team forward, the offense changed tactics to become more pass-focused with a run attempt sprinkled in here and there. Arkansas’ four-man rush on defense left gaps in the line that Toledo exploited. Overall, the Razorbacks looked slow locating and getting to the football.

GAME BALLS

  • QB Brandon Allen: Not only is he able to get it done with his arm, but his calm demeanor and leadership in the face of ever more dire circumstances was impressive.
  • TE Hunter Henry: As we already discussed, Henry was the rock of the Razorbacks passing game.
  • CB Dejuan Rogers (Toledo): Rogers intercepted Allen in the end zone, which gave the Rockets not just the ball but a momentum boost as well. Toledo scored a touchdown on the following drive.

INJURY UPDATE

  • RB Kody Walker suffered a thumb injury after accounting for only 17 rushing yards, and did not play at all in the second half.
  • LB Josh Williams left the game with an apparent leg injury.
  • S Josh Liddell left the game with an apparent knee injury.
  • OT Denver Kirkland left the game late in the fourth quarter cradling his right arm.
  • WR Eric Hawkins had to be carted off the field late the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit from two Toledo players during a kickoff return. As a precaution, the medical staff kept his head and body immobilized, but Bielema reported seeing Hawkins moving his arms and legs. Bielema also mentioned that Hawkins mentioned feeling light-headed and that his stomach hurt.
  • Bielema also told media after the game that RB Alex Collins had suffered an infection this past week that took him away from two practices and to the ER on Wednesday.
  • WR Keon Hatcher was seen getting on the Arkansas team bus on crutches after the game.