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Every team has moments that define a season. Some teams improve after turning points. Others crumble under the pressure.
Early in 2015, it appeared Arkansas would be the latter, but the Razorbacks rose to the occasion in the second half of the season.
Here are five moments that defined the Razorbacks’ 2015 season.
5. Loss to Toledo: It was a bumpy road to begin the season for Arkansas. The Razorbacks suffered two tough nonconference defeats against Toledo and Texas Tech. Although the loss to the Red Raiders was bitter because of the trash talk from Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury and the negativity that brought to the SEC, the Toledo loss was even tougher.
Brandon Allen passed for 412 yards but the Razorbacks scored just 12 points. Alex Collins rushed for only 54 yards. Only Alabama and Mississippi State held Collins to fewer yards in a game during 2015.
For a team that was called an SEC West sleeper, Arkansas was off to a terrible start.
4. OT defeat to Texas A&M: Everything got worse, though, when the Razorbacks failed to hold on in their first conference game at AT&T Stadium.
Texas A&M scored a touchdown with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game. The Aggies found the end zone again on the first possession of overtime, and the Razorbacks failed to answer. The loss dropped Arkansas to 1-3.
3. Four OT victory against Auburn: The Razorbacks beat Tennessee then lost a close game to Alabama over the next two weeks and headed into a game against Auburn at 2-4.
It took four TDs and a pair of 2-point conversions in four overtimes, but Arkansas finally beat Auburn, 54-46. The turning point of the season, the Razorbacks won six of their final seven games to earn bowl eligibility.
2. Liberty Bowl win: Arkansas placed an exclamation point on the strong second half of the season with a 45-23 victory over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl. Collins rushed for 185 yards and three TDs, giving him an Arkansas-record 20 rushing TDs for the season.
Allen was 20-of-26 for 315 yards with a TD and an interception. He finished the season with 30 passing TDs.
The Razorbacks’ dominating bowl performance sets the tone for 2016, another season that should begin with great expectations.
1. Fourth-and-25: The great stretch run in 2015 wouldn’t have been possible without one incredible play that will be replayed for years in Fayetteville.
Arkansas was down by seven points and needed to convert a 4th-and-25 in the first overtime to stay alive against Ole Miss. Razorbacks TE Hunter Henry caught a 10-yard pass and blindly threw the ball backward before hitting the ground. Collins picked up the loose ball and ran for the first down.
A couple plays later, Arkansas won the game with a TD and 2-point conversion.
The impact of the play probably was greater for Ole Miss because it cost the Rebels a trip to the SEC Championship Game, but the victory allowed Arkansas to maintain momentum through the rest of the season.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
