However, they also know the line must rapidly improve as it prepares to face a TCU team that had four sacks in a season-opening 59-41 win over South Dakota State.
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“We have a long way to go”, Long said of the Hogs’ season. Taking Louisiana Tech and the points was the smart play if you happened to see either or both of Arkansas’s preseason scrimmages and the condition of the Hogs’ offensive line, however.
TCU, on the other hand, will have a golden opportunity to rebound at home when it hosts Iowa State before hitting the road for an intrastate showdown against SMU on September 23.
“I don’t want this state to turn our stadium expansion into a stadium debate”, Long said.
It’s a win that certainly has to feel good for Arkansas after it struggled to get by Louisiana Tech last week.
Allen led the Razorbacks (2-0) to the tying score in the final two minutes of regulation, throwing a touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher then catching the tying 2-point conversion from the receiver with 1:03 remaining.
Early games in general have been rough on the Hogs, as they entered Saturday’s game just 8-13 in games played before October 20 during Bielema’s previous three seasons. Arkansas won its season opener by a single point. Not a lot from which to choose on the menu this week, but the Horned Frogs are considered a Big 12 contender and the Razorbacks aspire to push Alabama in the SEC West. Arkansas eventually prevailed 41-38 in double-overtime.
The Razorbacks’ recent success on the road includes wins over No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 9 LSU and No. 15 TCU.
For many, Arkansas seems to be good for at least one upset nearly every year, but as a program has not been able to go from playing teams tough to consistently winning at a high level.
The reaction from TCU fans on the play was predictably great. “You don’t play any basketball”, TCU coach Gary Patterson said.
It’s really early, and if a few things hadn’t of worked out, the Razorbacks could easily be sitting 0-2 today instead of undefeated and ranked 24th in the nation.
Hill marched TCU back down the field to set up a game-winning 28-yard field goal for TCU. That average completion number is going to go up but it’s not going to be almost as good as Brandon Allen averaged the last two years. The Frogs took over in the 4th quarter as the defense finally woke up. Seven days later, the script has been flipped.
It’s going to be interesting to see what this Razorbacks team is capable of achieving. “(The players) are going to hate themselves when they watch the film”.
TCU guard Patrick Morris (58) helps against pressure from Arkansas defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. “Of course, because college football is insane and wonderful, the chip shot was blocked by Arkansas’ 6’10” offensive tackle who was put in for the play. Nonetheless, the Frogs have what it takes to overcome the adversity that stands in their way. His main target being JUCO transfer Taj Williams who hauled in 11 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown. If Hill can do that again and the defense is able to effectively contain the Razorbacks on the ground, TCU will come out on top in this one.
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With the second weekend of games in the books, it’s time to take a look at the best of the best and honor some of the top performances. Allen may be called upon to do more this week than last, but I expect OC Dan Enos to allow Allen to get in rhythm before potentially asking the young quarterback to win the game.
