495 yards total offense. Drives of 75, 68, 78 and 71 yards. Almost 37 minutes in time of possession. 228 yards passing, 267 yards net rushing. McFadden rushing for 219 yards. Monk with 192 yards in receptions.
Other than the fact that the Hogs came up with only three points in three trips into the red zone in the second half, the offense was pretty amazing in this game. We proved we could pass the ball when we needed to – both over the middle and downfield – with nine completions for first downs.
I expected this was the game we would see Casey at the bat. I thought by the third possession, but was obviously wrong. It has been a head game for Mitch Mustain the last few weeks. He’s had his chances. That first careful, guided attempt at a pass was a strong indication that he wasn’t winning the mind game. I credit Houston Dale for being decisive and making the change.
Out defense struggled in the second half after the quarterback change by SC. Giving up drives of 99 and 92 yards for touchdowns while stubbornly hanging on to your man to man defense is just not smart. We were getting torched. We couldn’t get pressure on the quarterback even when we blitzed. Fortunately, South Carolina missed the read when we did drop into zone and handed us an easy one.
I give South Carolina credit. Those were some of the best throws and catches I’ve seen in quite a while. To the credit of the Razorback defense, they came up with a play when they needed to.
South Carolina is a tough team. They were extremely fired up in the second half. For our offense to keep the ball for 23 and a half minutes out of 30 against that fired up defense is saying something. We were just a play or two away from three second half touchdowns and running away with the game. We failed on third down on the one yard line, Casey threw high to Monk and got intercepted, and the post to Damian Williams would have been an easy touchdown if the protection had held up.
Just as these Hogs convince me they are for real, the injury bug returns to haunt us going into the Tennessee game. If Ainge is able to play well, our offense will need to score at least 30 points for us to win. Tennessee is liable to pass for 400 yards against us.
I look forward to Saturday. This is the most important game the Hogs have played in Fayetteville in a long time. Probably our most important one overall since the 1998 Tennessee game from a national perspective. The stage is set for the Razorbacks to defend their home turf and make a statement.
This is getting fun.
There may have been a silent coming of age as well by a sidelined very youthful, very good quarterback in the name of Mitch Mustain. I'm saying that the "kid" who was really OK months ago with redshirting, may have silently gotten his wish to be allowed to grow up on his own terms. Once he gets it folks, he may well become a college version of the terror that he was in his storied high school career. BUT… will Casey Dick allow that to happen again? Casey went from number one to number three because of injury – all the while the youthful M16 was beating up on the likes of Alabama and Auburn – forget about how some of those games were won – M16 is still 8-0 while starting a Razorback football game. Nobody can ever take that away from him – nor should they try.
If playing on Sunday is in the dreams of these young QBs, there is still a world of time to get in position for that. Evidence that by the likes of Tom Brady who at Michigan redshirted and played behind the likes of Drew Henson and Brian Greise. 6th round 199th pick over all. How do ya like me now?
In our hearts we really thrive on the likes of Quarterback controversies but hopefully we all come of age as well and realize that this duo may well resign themselves to both being a part of something that is well on the way to becoming "special" again. We all want more than just ONE year of this don't we?
Ooops, that bubble could be burst by an ego OR two along the way. Is there room for two gunslingers at Arkansas? We probably don't have too long to wait ….
Well all the credit goes to the staff and players of the razorback team. However, everyone is stalking over their teams starting quarterback. But can the hogs even say we have a starting quarterback till that next week? Can the razorbacks say Mitch Mustian is starting next game? No! We can't because it seems like people base their players on the plays the make and the mistakes made. I see that we are out their to win!! However, I agree on having a quarterback and 2nd string or whatever you want to call it.
I don't like the fact though going into Monday morning and looking in the paper or on the news to find out our starting QB for the week's game. I like to be able to see where the hogs are starting for that weeks practice. But is Nutt going to practice both of them on the field that week? One of them has to step up, and this may be Casey's chance and time. Mitch might need to work a little harder or just watch his passes. But no one knows because they don't know who might be taken out the next play. I see us of getting our team together setting it the way we have been winning and stick with it. If the team wasn't good or needed to be changed then we wouldn't be where we are now. We are on second base with the same runner! Should he be benched or steal 3rd? Who knows!!!….