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After posting its best looking win since Week 1, Arkansas (4-4) will look to finish the season strong following a disappointing start. While many fans may see this game as an example of what-might-have-been, the Razorbacks still have plenty of momentum heading into a big game at Ole Miss next Saturday.
5 Takeaways
1. The defense struggled more than the score indicated. In a three-score game, you’d expect the offensive numbers to be much more one-sided than they were at halftime. Arkansas’ 273 total yards were just 10 more than UTM’s, and the Razorbacks had just a 36-second advantage in time of possession. While the Skyhawks offense has proven to be potent, Razorbacks fans were probably hoping for a stronger defensive effort.
2. The upcoming games against at Ole Miss and at LSU could serve as season-savers for Arkansas. Though the Razorbacks have long eliminated themselves from SEC contention, playing spoiler to SEC rivals could salvage what has been a very disappointing season in Fayetteville.
3. QB Brandon Allen is getting hot in the final stretch of the season. With 498 passing yards, six touchdowns, including one rushing and just one interception since the Oct. 17 bye, Allen is starting to look like the threat many envisioned him being in this offense when the season started.
4. RB Alex Collins has left the Bielema Doghouse. After really ticking off his coach earlier in the week Collins rushed for a career-high five touchdowns on 173 yards.
5. TE Hunter Henry will be the first tight end taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. Though he only touched the ball twice, each reception was key. He was a big reason Arkansas was able to keep drives alive in a high-scoring first half.
Report Card
Offense: A. Neither team could stop the other, but Arkansas had more opportunities because it had zero turnovers. The Razorbacks totaled nearly 500 yards in three quarters (265 passing, 226 rushing) and finished with 591.
Defense: C. Arkansas forced three turnovers, but UTM moved the ball almost at will throughout the game. Without those turnovers, this game could have been tied at halftime.
Special teams: A. Field position played a large role in Arkansas’ ability to take a big lead early. The return of KR Jared Cornelius proved to be a valuable addition; his 33-yard return put Arkansas in great field position early.
Coaching: B. With a three-touchdown lead to open the second half, coach Bielema continued to keep his offense running as only turnovers could stop UTM.
Game Balls
- RB Alex Collins: Five rushing TDs, but he had help …
- LB Brooks Ellis: His first interception this season was the defense’s biggest play because it ended a 61-yard drive.
- WR Dominique Reed: After UTM scored a quick TD to open the second-half, Reed responded with a huge 71-yard TD to keep the pressure on the Skyhawks.
- QB Brandon Allen: Allen ran the offense like an absolute pro this week despite his top wide receiver, Drew Morgan, going down early. Obviously, Collins’ big day was a large of part of Arkansas’s success, but Allen had a clean game (265 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) with just enough explosive plays.
Injury Report
Drew Morgan’s shoulder injury is the most serious. Morgan left in the first half and did not return. It’s unclear whether he will be ready for Ole Miss.
Offensive lineman Dan Skipper also left early with an undisclosed injury, but he returned in the second half.
