The Good, The Bad and The Ugly — Tennessee Tech

Some random thoughts after the Razorbacks’ win over Tennessee Tech.

The Good

• The recent move by Willy Robinson to relocate Anthony Leon to outside linebacker looks like gold after this week’s performance.  “Juice” was a one-man wrecking crew, posting two sacks and four tackles for loss.  He looks like he can be a difference maker for this defense.
• Despite not getting to see punter Dylan Breeding, kickers Alex Tejada and Zach Hocker looked good.  Tejada’s four touchbacks showed that he can be a major weapon on kickoffs, while the true freshman Hocker looked comfortable making all six of his PATs. 
• “Good” from game day: Changing the music right before the Razorbacks run through the “A”.  Going from the old theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey” to “Unstoppable” by E.S. Posthumus was a major upgrade.  Now if we can just kill the tired “I’ve Got News For You” intro before basketball games.
• Dear Jack Crowe: All is forgiven.  Sincerely, Razorback Fans.  Which leads us to…

The Bad

• No announcement of that score in Razorback Stadium?  Is the UA game production that scripted and antiseptic?  Do us all a favor, guys…lose the “kiss cam” and “Great Razorback Moments” for one timeout and give fans in the stands a few scores from SEC games.  Especially when an OVC team beats an SEC team for the first time since 1948.  Fail.
• As for the on the field “bad,” their wasn’t too much to complain about.  While we know the game was decided, we were a bit surprised with the lack of production by the second-team offense.  In recent weeks, QB Tyler Wilson and the second group had good success in scrimmages against the first-team defense.  Collecting only 46 yards of total offense in the fourth quarter was a disappointment.
• “Bad” from game day: Two thumbs down to whoever put together the video showing the defensive starting lineups on the big screen before the game.  Two players who actually earned starting nods in recent weeks (DT Alfred Davis and LB Anthony Leon) were completely omitted.  And Zach Stadther, who has been working on the scout team and didn’t even dress out for the game, was shown as a starter.  C’mon man.

The Ugly

• Ball security by the Hogs was bad…even if it was the first game.  The three fumbles (one lost) by the Hogs along with two interceptions and nine penalties for 64 yards marred what was otherwise a good game by the Razorbacks.  The nine penalties were the second most by any SEC team this weekend (Kentucky, 11).
• Drops of sure touchdowns by backup wide receivers De’Anthony Curtis and Maudrecus Humphrey were disappointing.  We’ll give Humphrey a pass because he’s a freshman but Curtis is a junior and can’t afford drops like that if he wants to stay in the receiver rotation.
• “Ugly” from game day: If you follow us on Twitter (and you do, right?), then you got the breaking news that Papa John’s pizza has been replaced in DWRRS by Pizza Hut pizza.  Uh…yeah…the aluminum pie pan and plastic cover (instead of a box) made the Pizza Hut pizza nice and soggy.  Downgrade.

Of course, we can’t mention everything that was “Good, Bad and Ugly.”  What did we leave out?

Walking on Sunshine contributed to this post.