ESPN.com: Kickoff return helps Arkansas whip New Mexico
Tyler Wilson threw for 259 yards and accounted for a pair of touchdowns as No. 14 Arkansas defeated New Mexico 52-3 on Saturday.
Also:
- ArkansasRazorbacks.com: No. 14 UA wins 52-3 over Lobos in Little Rock, Game Stats (PDF), Post-game Notes (PDF), Post-game Quotes (PDF)
- ArkansasRazorbacks.com (Video): Game Highlights, Bobby Petrino Post-game Press Conference
- ESPN.com (Video): Arkansas Runs All Over New Mexico
- WholeHogSports.com (Video): Game Recap, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton
- Razorback Nation (Video): Garrick McGee, Willy Robinson
- Matt Jones: Hogs banged up in win, Receivers roll in 52-3 rout
- Chris Bahn: Wilson Has Proven Competitive Spirit, Now He Needs To Show Good Decision Making, Two-Minute Drill
- Jim Harris: Arkansas’ Offense Picks Up Pace And Blitzes New Mexico
- Robert Turbeville: Hogs break out Bandit in rout, The Good and Bad
- Nate Allen: Adams, Hogs nail New Mexico 52-3
- Robbie Neiswanger: Arkansas Offense Makes ‘Progress’ In Easy Win, Wilson, Bequette, Wright Leave With Injuries During Win, Adams’ Success Continues, Hogs Remember 9/11, Key Performers
- Harry King: Maybe Troy will tell us something — anything
I'm simply amazed we didn't even get one sack against the Lobos. I love getting the blowout win and allowing our subs to continue getting better, building depth before we get into conference play at Bama, but man, no sacks? with the D-line we have?
I did notice we kept the Lobo QB running the majority of the time. He seemed to pull a couple of rabbits out of his hat at times to with some untimely executed throws to his WRs.
They must have worked hard on that through the week after getting nailed 10 times against Colorado St.
Something tells me we weren't completely focused on this game. We played like we were taking them for granted and gave up more plays on D than we should have IMO.
I agree with you about the lack of focus, Gonzo. There were times when I thought, Man, I'm glad we're not playing Alabama; we'd get killed. E.g., the defensive "off sides" penalties. Also I was wondering whether we were a team that played up or down to the competition. If so, that reveals a lack of maturity. You don't always have to play with passion, but you must play under control.
This team has a lot of work, a lot of growing to do in the next two weeks. NM came better than advertised. I hope Troy is stronger, faster, tougher still. These Hogs need tougher competition to improve. Alabama already has a win against a quality opponent.
A few thoughts. My son said it best. The score didn't seem to reflect the feeling of the game. I agree with Gonzo that NM is not as bad as they were ranked. They have got some decent players, especially on offense and with kickers. The NM QB was probably told to get the ball out quickly, especially with the flat passes, or break out of the pocket and scramble. He did both well. I suspect that the Hogs were playing "Willy Ball"; i.e. bend but don't break. the DBs were playing off the receivers to prevent plays from getting behind them. Taking no chances, but then lots of receptions and no intereptions. When the HOGs did put pressure on the QB it was with only one man. I presumed that the line was protecting the lanes. Whatever, it worked since the Lobos could only get 3. Considering that NM outplayed Colorado State in total yardage the sacks must have hurt the Lobos at critical times. In case anyone missed it, NM's receivers were quite good which brings up why Childs was dropping the ball (?) Inosfar as the lack of running game is concerned, Petrino's philosophy is to get his speedburners into space, get the ball to them and let them do their thing, and hopefully get a block or two and bust it long. Joe Adams is a phenomenon at that and not just fast. I suspect McGee will try to get him the ball as much as possible but not on interior runs. The use of Adams as a an RB in the 1st quarter was interesting, but I wonder if it was to give SEC coaches, especially Bama, something extra to think about.
Some teams can operate somewhat successfully without an effective passing game but can the HOGs do it without a particularly decent running game? Waiting on Walker and Johnson (and Mitchell)? Both QBs looked OK and Mitchell's misdirection TD was something the HOGs are going to use more often. Wilson looked a little unfocused at first, missing receivers and not spotting open men. Neither QB tried to stretch the field much. I presumed this was not to give away too much in the passing game. I thought the OL did a good job of protection, but didn't open up enough holes for the RBs (It seems that Wingo needs one the size of the Grand Canyon to get through – Fans at the game were really frustrated with Ron's inability to stay vertical when hit).
The HOGs did it right this year (and last). Start with a weak opponent, then a stronger one, and then finally one which will be a reasonable test. All that should prepare them for Bama. We'll see if it works.
One final comment: I think that college coaches, unlike the fans expectations, not only take one game at a time, but one goal at a time. The first goal is to get 6 wins to get to a bowl. Second is to win your division and third to to win your conference. Getting to the National Championship Game is not entirely in your hands so best to get the other three done that are more under your control. The Hogs should beat Troy and then keep in mind that they will be halfway to a bowl and goal one.
Can the Razorbacks do it without a good running game in SEC play? In SEC play, I sure do not see how. I thought that our running game would be much better but the drop off with the loss of Davis appears to be significant. Perhaps Curtis and the freshman will get much better very quickly. How about our O-line? Are they not blocking or is it simply that the two teams played thus far are stacking for the run?
DWC: Don't you have to give your featured back a chance to get 100 yards, say 20 to 25 carries at least, so he can get a feel for the defense, get in rhythm? Wingo had only 12 carries, for 73 yards, I believe, which is a solid 6 yards per. I don't think we should give up on any running back till they get a chance to show what they can do for a whole game. If we don't have a solid running game it will be obvious against Bama and aTm. THEN it will be time to worry. You can count on Petrino to try something unorthodox to move the ball. Anything to move the ball.
It's hard to pretend that the Lobos are the Tide. We didn't look crisp. We've got two weeks. But, even this homer can see that we have great talent and big questions. Wade may be the next big thing in the SEC.
We'll be fine. NM was much better than Mo. St. overall with better skill players and we still found a way to beat them just as bad.
We're just too talented with our skilled offensive and STs players. The D is good enough to have an off night and still dominate. We couldn't say this about our D in the past.
Troy will be another step up in the competition. Alabama will be a great game. We'll be ready for a war.
Folks are complaining about our running game, but we are neck and neck with Bama. Granted, we've played 2 pretty bad opponents, but both seemed to take the approach of selling out to stop the run. I didn't see the Bama game to see if Penn St did the same thing.
I think Petrino is holding a lot under the covers, particularly with an option game with Mitchell. But even then, I can't see how anyone can contend with our passing game. You give Adams, Hamilton, Wright and Wade an inch of space and you're in trouble.
I look at it this way – our defense cost us against Bama and Auburn last year. I don't think we need a first rate run game to beat tough teams. With our improved D and depth on the D line that will be the component of the game that puts us over.
I should clarify – we are neck and neck with Bama in the run game and they have all world heisman in waiting Trent Richardson and the runner up Lacy.
To simplify the Bama game, two things need to happen.
First, our D has to slow down the Bama RBs and put their QB in 3rd and long, passing down situations.
Second, our offense has to stay away from turnovers. The rest will take care of itself.