The Arkansas Razorbacks, hurting literally and figuratively after last week’s surprising loss to Toledo, say their recovery plan includes rediscovering their run-game roots in time for Saturday’s game against Texas Tech.
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Arkansas’ yards per carry has dropped from 5.1 a year ago to 4.4 this season, but Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury expects another heavy dose of the running game – Collins, in particular – this week.
Texas Tech enters the game after back-to-back convincing wins to open the season, including a 69-20 rout of UTEP last week. Even history (eight straight victories over the Golden Hurricane by an average margin of 38 point per game) won’t trump Philip Montgomery’s emerging offense. “But we will continue to play as fast as we can”, Morris said.
Arkansas now has to take on a Texas Tech team that loves to throw the football, spread teams out and score points.
Arkansas rushed for 103 yards on 31 carries against Toledo while passing for 412 yards in the 16-12 loss at War Memorial Stadium. “They had a year to prepare for that team, and they came out and played a great game”.
“I don’t have to, they know what that was”, Kingsbury said. And Jonathan Williams basically jogged into the end zone with no obstacles in his path. Arkansas went on to rush for an astounding 438 yards, exposing the Red Raiders as soft while further amplifying the notion that the Big 12 was merely a finesse conference.
“We went over the schedule on Thursday night and so until that correlation begins to happen”, Bielema said. “But for us to have success overall, our formula has got to work and there has to be more balance to the run and passing game”. We had six opportunities where if guys had just stayed on their feet they would have been in the end zone untouched.
Texas Tech defensive coordinator David Gibbs said his under-performing defense “has nowhere to hide this week” as it faces Arkansas’ imposing running attack. More importantly, between penalties and lack of execution, the Razorbacks couldn’t run effectively when they needed. We need to perform better and get a sack or get a [pass breakup].
“I think you have to pick your spots there”, Smith said.
Prediction: I want to believe this team has improved enough to stroll into Fayetteville and come out with a win.
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A bunch of drunken Arkansas fans got into a nasty brawl at a tailgate party prior to last weekend’s game against Toledo.
