ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Mallett, Adams claim record
Junior Ryan Mallett went three quarters but completed almost all of his passes as the University of Arkansas opened the 2010 season with a 44-3 win over Tennessee Tech before 69,596 fans at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Also:
- ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Game Stats (PDF), Post-game Notes, Post-game Quotes
- ArkansasRazorbacks.com (Video): Game Highlights, Bobby Petrino Post-game Press Conference
- ESPN.com: Mallett slings 3 TDs as No. 17 Arkansas cruises
- Robbie Neiswanger: Arkansas Shakes Sluggish Start, Rolls To 44-3 Win
- Dennis Byrd: Davis, Swanson, Grayson Earn Starts in Win, Key Performers
- Scott Faldon: Arkansas Defense Delivers in Opener
- Harry King: Razorbacks walk, as expected
- Brandon Marcello: Reviewing Arkansas’ 44-3 victory
- Brandon Marcello / Matt Jones: WholeHogCast: Arkansas vs. Tennessee Tech (Video)
- ArkansasOnline.com Focus: Arkansas vs. Tennessee Tech Photos
- Chris Bahn: Razorbacks’ Defense Good Against Tennessee Tech, Players Looking For More, Two-Minute Drill
- Jim Harris: Arkansas Accomplishes Most of What It Wanted in Opening Win
- Razorback Nation (Video): Ryan Mallett Interview, Dennis Johnson Interview, Anthony Leon Interview
The Hogs offense came out choking on all cylinders, and the defense looked like Willy's defenses of yore as the Hogs trailed 0-3 at the end of the first quarter. But then they played two quarters of decent football before the bench team came on and picked up where the first team had begun. Two out of four quarters aint great.
Expectations? I predict the Hogs will perform brilliantly at times during the season, and at other times they will revert to form. Consistency will be an elusive mode for slingers Mallett and Petrino. I didn't see the kind of attention to the running game that will be necessary in SEC play.
I expected more dominance against an overmatched opponent.
The Hogs performance failed to strike fear into the hearts of future SEC opponents, especially the running game and the defense. Tejada looked good on kickoffs. Hope he gets lots of opportunities as the season develops.
The outcome could have been much worse. Ask HDN.
I was expecting a little more dominance as well. The early turnovers took us out of any offensive rythem, but I was happy to see that Ryan was making good reads with solid decision making.
The O-line and the RBS didn't dominate, but there was reason to believe the depth will be better in those areas this season.
There were 2 things that stood out to me in this game.
(1) The move of Anthony Leon to OLB was brilliant. I hope he continues to improve there. Looks really good against the run.
(2)I also was impressed with A. Tejada's kickoff ability last night.
This is what I envisioned him doing all along.
Hocker on the conversion kicks was a bit of a suprise to me. IMO, this tells me Petrino want's to get this young man good game time experience for the future.
All in all, I believe both this game and next weeks game against ULM are tune-ups for the real test in Athens less than 2 weeks from now.
Right now, I think CBP is mostly just keying in on the depth issues.
We need everyone ready when SEC play begins against Georgia.
Speaking of Georgia, did anyone watch their game with UL-Laf yesterday?
Their O-line looks dominant, their RBS, TEs and WRS are good, and their LBs look fast.
Both their FG kicker and punter are being hyped as possibly the best in the nation.
Their first FG of the season came from 52 yards out. They later kicked another one from over 40, but can't remember the exact distance.
Their young QB is very competitive. The only thing I see he does wrong is maybe run jusy a little too much, but make no mistake, Aaron Murry is very talented and handled himself very well for a Redshirt Freshman yesterday.
Oh, I almost forgot. Brandon Smith will be a very dangerous return man for the Dawgs this season. He'll more than likely be Georgia's version of Trindon Holiday. Dangerous on reverse plays too, and will line up at RB from time to time.
I agree and disagree. The only reason T Tech got 3 points was because of an off-balance Hail Mary pass that Arkansas defenders got lost in.
I think Mallet, the receivers, and the running backs are going to give SEC coordinators headaches. Lots of headaches. I agree that the reserves sucked. And we should have dominated more, but 6 straight TD drives and no punts, is impressive no matter who they're playing. Also, unlike Jack Crowe, Brown was playing, not to win, but to keep the game respectable. It was obvious, that Brown was burning clock with his 1st quarter running plays and short passes, in part to keep control of the ball andvkeeping it out of the hands of the Hogs offense, and in part to reduce errors that would lead to a blowout. (Of coure his offensive line didn't help matters with its constant illegal procedure penalties somewhat offset by Arkansas reserves doing the same or by holding). But as Crowe showed, you don't beat a formidable opponent by just hoping that he will self-destruct. Here's my assesment:
The Good: As I said Mallet and offensive skill personell who showed outstandng athleticism and drive. They're ready to go. Goal line defense. Again, no matter who they're playing, 1st and a foot and still keeping your opponent out of the end zone was impressive. I have said that no matter who was on the field, Robinson would drive his defense to prevent a TD. Pass protection. Good enough to give a rusty Mallet time to get ready for next week. T Tech is no worse nor better than any other division 2 teams' performances on Saturday, and except for Jacksonville State, and did no better nor worse with their more ranked opponents. Also, Mitchell was impressive and may get more time in the Monroe game. The dropped passes or the fumble was not his fault. Future defenses may not be able to quickly adjust to his style of play. Tyler looked terrible; two open sideline receivers and he overthrows them, one for an interception. Tejada's kickoffs. Great! Still waiting to see if kickoff coverage has improved. Considering the number of times the Hogs can score, it should be answered soon. Same with punt coverage, when and if the Hogs ever punt again.
The Bad: Defense was still not impressive between the 20s considering the opponent, but it did seem to be improved in two areas, 1) As noted by Petrino, getting to the ball, swarming that is,which will make sure that if somebody misses a tackle others will be there to help. 2) Pass defense, except for one breakdown seems to be better. I was impressed with T Tech QB Lamb who got the ball out quickly and to designated receiver routes. I thought that considering the Arkansas pass rush, which was good, that the defensive backs were playing too far off of the receivers. The pass rush should have given defenders a chance to quickly close on the receivers for a potential interception. Crowe's passing game was taking what Arkansas was giving him. But I think Willy is afraid of the big play if the defender misjudges. But giving SEC QBs and receivers that much room, the Hogs will be eaten alive until, of course, the opponent gets into the Red Zone (shades of last year) which is Willy's favorite place on the field. However, maybe Willy's holding back and is planning a different pass protection scheme for Georgia.
Overall, though, a good start.
The SEC took a beating on Saturday which may reflect at the end of the year as to the SEC champion defending the national title. Aside from Ole Miss, and a mediocre NWU beating the worst team in the SEC, LSU laid a big zero even though they won the game. LSU has no secondary except for Peterson and he can't carry the load alone. It's defensive line is not what it once was, and Jordan Jefferson, again shows inconsistency under fire. With a depleted team Butch Davis' players relentlessy carved up LSU in the second half and lost by a possible non-call. UNC enhanced the reputation of the ACC and LSU diminished that of the SEC. Les Miles seemed to be babbling incoherently at the end of the game and may have been stunned as to how vunerable his team is. Every SEC opponent is going to study Yates and his receivers in that game. If Arkansas were to play LSU next week, 60 points would not be inconceivable. It will be up to Alabama to restore SEC pride against Penn State. If the Elephants lose then 'Bama or any other SEC team will not be in the championship game. Most of the SEC teams took care of business and I suspect that Auburn and/or South Carolina will replace Pitt, UNC, and pehaps LSU in the rankings. Michigan and Utah may creep in there also. The Big East took the biggest dip on Saturday and can forget about Phoenix. UNC may drop out but may get back in if it recovers from its suspensions. And it is possible that LSU might get in at 25, which would make it overrated. Other overrated teams based on Saturday's results: Florida, Oklahoma, USC, and Texas. Next week is big with OSU and Miami, Boise and VT, along with Alabama and PSU. Go 'Bama, it will good for the Hog's chances.
Opps. Forgot to put Georgia in the ranking mix. Could be the SEC East Champion. The West looks a bit different now with Auburn and maybe even MSU replacing LSU and Ole Miss in the standings.
Was I watching the same game ya'll were? We held them to 187 yards of total offense. Uh, that's pretty good no matter who you play gentlemen. I even think Willy may have been holding back a bit, as was Petrino. They may be playing things close to the vest to not give too much away to the SEC opponents. The defensive and offensive schemes were pretty straightforward. Not much Pistol action with the first teamers, despite all of the attention it got over the spring – not to mention a new coach that specializes in it. Also, no gadget plays, reverses, etc. Pretty vanilla and we still killed them. And we really only played 3 quarters.
Moving Adams to punt return and Leon to LB are genius moves. TTU wouldn't kick to Adams – you think any other team will after watching his TD runs last night? And Leon was incredible. That kid is a player.
Georgia may be more dangerous than most think, but who knows? Alot of points, but so hard to tell when playing cupcakes. And Mallet looked great his first few games last year. Once he got to the SEC games, especially on the road it's a whole new world. I expect the same thing of Murray – I'd feel better if it were a home game for us.
I'm not worried about Auburn anymore. Sure, they scored a lot of points, but they also gave up over 300 passing yards at home. Too bad we aren't a strong passing team or we could really take advantage of that type of defensive play…:-)
Florida is horrible. Whoever ranked them in the top 5 should be ashamed of themselves. I feel vindicated cause I've been telling everyone they can't lose 80% of their offense and be that great.
Jimdogg is right – LSU is stinky. They would have been destroyed if UNC didn't have to play their managers and ball boys.
Ole Miss – nothing left to be said other than instant karma is gonna get ya. You sell your integrity and team to the devil and this is what happens.
Bama – Who knows?
Miss St – this team scares me now. Who would have expected them to blow out anyone?
I wouldn't say the SEC is down yet, there just may be a shift of power. Just because FL is weak doesn't mean the rest of the SEC is. If anyone watched Big 12, Big East, or Pac 10 may feel like they are down too.
A lot will be shaken out over the next two weeks – this certainly makes college football more fun to watch!
Yippee, yo, kai-yea! Football is here! Nutty blows ear wax all over Oxford and it doesn't even make the ESPN highlights———we have two touchdown passes just plain dropped and still have a quarterback with a 228+ efficiency rating. Our defense holds a reasonable opponent (remember they had a slew of starters back—–19?) to under two yards per rush. Next!
Congrats to coaches for putting Leon in the right spot. He is the best I have seen at OS LB in awhile although against inferior opponent.
Joe Adams is still really fast.
I was very impressed with the running game inside the 30. Both Davis, Johnson, Wingo and Davis were given opportunities and all made some good plays.
I am not surprised with some changes in formations that Offensive Line had a few miscues in their first game.
I still think Brandon Mitchell should be second string and running a couple of series per game. He can run and he has a gun. Should have had a TD pass if that WR hadn't dropped the ball.
Mallet did an excellent job of taking what he was given. Pick was a force but a tipped ball as well. Probably good that happened in a non pressure situation to remind him not to force the ball.
Lets see what happens against a slightly better opponent next weekend.