When you come up short by a margin of 101-24 in consecutive weekends, it’s never fun to be a fan of the team that is on the losing end.
But there is no reason to bail out now.
Most logical Razorback fans knew that Bobby Petrino would not pull a Houston Nutt, and get off to an 8-0 start with someone else’s players.
Let’s play ‘Four Downs,’ and see if we can’t determine why things aren’t putting us in Hog Heaven this football season, and maybe give some prognostications as to whether things will get any better and when.
1) For starters, Nutt left Petrino very little to work with. All of Nutt’s talent is either in the NFL or doing something else.
And while Nutt is busy knocking off top five teams on the road with the ‘Wild Rebel,’ Petrino and the Hogs are in Fayetteville and Austin, Tex., respectively, getting roasted.
With more Southeastern Conference heavyweights in Florida and Auburn to deal with over the course of the next two weeks, things don’t like they’re going to improve in a hurry, as some fans would no doubt want.
2) Secondly, we don’t have a true quarterback in our stable right now.
As much as you want to make an excuse for Casey Dick and how much “improvement” he has made, I’m frankly not seeing it.
Granted, he’s not getting the best protection in the world, but some of the decisions he made against both Alabama and Texas are the kinds of decisions that quarterbacks learn how to handle in junior high school.
Dick doesn’t look like he ever got the message.
While Tyler Wilson may be talented and may be able to run the offense, putting a true freshman in a spread-oriented system against SEC defenses is going to lead not only to tough losses, but could also get Wilson hurt.
3) Thirdly, do we have a run defense?
If so, where?
Alabama and Texas are both very talented football teams, teams that could very likely be in the Bowl Championship series equation at the end of the season.
But our defense has made offensive backs Glen Coffee and Colt McCoy look like Darren McFadden and Felix Jones overnight.
The Hogs surrendered a 62-yard touchdown run to a third-string tailback from Alabama. McCoy ran for 84 yards on 9 CARRIES, and it wasn’t like Arkansas was making him have to run it, because he only had two incompletions Saturday.
And the constant missed tackles. I know defensive coordinator Willy Robinson has been preaching to the defense to show heart, wrap up and use good technique, but it sounds like it’s easier said than done.
Once it comes to a game, it seems like that heart and technique is going out the window.
Until that changes, teams are going to run all over the Hogs.
4) Finally, our special teams aren’t being very special.
I was very excited when Alex Tejada was offered a scholarship to kick for the Razorbacks.
And the Springdale native had a pretty solid freshman campaign, but he’s been anything but solid this year.
Missing yet another field goal Saturday put him in Petrino’s doghouse even more so, and it looks like he’s decided to go with Shay Haddock for the rest of the year.
Nevertheless, this season is far from over but I don’t think this year is where strides are going to be made.
Strides are going to be made in recruiting and developing the current talent from the experience they will gain this year.
Until then, grind out the rest of the season like the Hogs undoubtedly will.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
4th Quarter until I have to leave.
12:56-ULM kick to ARK.
1st-and-10, own 20. Dick 76 pass to D.J. Williams. 1st down.
1st-and-goal, ULM 4. Smith 4 TD run. ULM 27-20. Haddock PAT. ULM 27-21.
12:19-ARK kick to ULM.
1st-and-10, own 31. False Start.
1st-and-15, own 26. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-15, own 26. McNeal 4 run.
3rd-and-12, own 30. False Start.
3rd-and-16, own 25. Ineligible receiver. Penalty declined. Lancaster 10 pass to Zacharie.
4th-and-6, own 25. ULM punt to ARK. Fair Catch.
10:48 ARK
1st-and-10, own 26. Smith 9 run.
2nd-and-1, own 35. Smith 4 run. 1st down.
1st-and-10, own 39. Dick throws incomplete(through Joe Adams' hands)
2nd-and-10, own 39. Dick throws incomplete(through London Crawford's hands)
3rd-and-10, own 39. Dick 11 pass to D.J. Williams. 1st down.
1st-and-10, 50. Dick throws incomplete (over Smith's head).
2nd-and-10, 50. Dick throws complete to Smith for loss of 4 yards.
3rd-and-14, own 46. Dick 7 keeper. 4th down.
4th-and-7, ULM 47. ARK punt to ULM.
ULM 7:23
1st-and-10, own 20. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-10, own 20. Lovett 5 run.
1st-and-10, own 20. Dick 76 pass to D.J. Williams. 1st down.
1st-and-goal, ULM 4. Smith 4 TD run. ULM 27-20. Haddock PAT. ULM 27-21.
12:19-ARK kick to ULM.
1st-and-10, own 31. False Start.
1st-and-15, own 26. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-15, own 26. McNeal 4 run.
3rd-and-12, own 30. False Start.
3rd-and-16, own 25. Ineligible receiver. Penalty declined. Lancaster 10 pass to Zacharie.
4th-and-6, own 25. ULM punt to ARK. Fair Catch.
10:48 ARK
1st-and-10, own 26. Smith 9 run.
2nd-and-1, own 35. Smith 4 run. 1st down.
1st-and-10, own 39. Dick throws incomplete(through Joe Adams' hands)
2nd-and-10, own 39. Dick throws incomplete(through London Crawford's hands)
3rd-and-10, own 39. Dick 11 pass to D.J. Williams. 1st down.
1st-and-10, 50. Dick throws incomplete (over Smith's head).
2nd-and-10, 50. Dick throws complete to Smith for loss of 4 yards.
3rd-and-14, own 46. Dick 7 keeper. 4th down.
4th-and-7, ULM 47. ARK punt to ULM.
ULM 7:23
1st-and-10, own 20. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-10, own 20. Lovett 5 run.
4th Quarter, ULM drive (cont.)
15:00 START OF 4TH QUARTER.
1st-and-10, ARK 30. McNeal 2 run.
2nd-and-8, ARK 28. Lancaster sacked by ARK Jake Bequette.
3rd-and-12, ARK 32. Lancaster 9 pass to McCoy. 4th down.
4th-and-3, ARK 23. 43 yard FG by Gener is good. ULM 27-14.
1st-and-10, ARK 30. McNeal 2 run.
2nd-and-8, ARK 28. Lancaster sacked by ARK Jake Bequette.
3rd-and-12, ARK 32. Lancaster 9 pass to McCoy. 4th down.
4th-and-3, ARK 23. 43 yard FG by Gener is good. ULM 27-14.
3rd Quarter, ULM drive
2:04 ARK kick to ULM.
1st-and-10, own 47. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-10, own 47. Lovett 8 run.
3rd-and-2, ARK 45. Lancaster 4 pass to Doyle. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ARK 41. Lovett 3 run.
2nd-and-7, ARK 38. Lancaster 8 pass to McNeal. 1st down. END OF 3RD QUARTER. ULM 24, ARKANSAS 14.
1st-and-10, own 47. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-10, own 47. Lovett 8 run.
3rd-and-2, ARK 45. Lancaster 4 pass to Doyle. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ARK 41. Lovett 3 run.
2nd-and-7, ARK 38. Lancaster 8 pass to McNeal. 1st down. END OF 3RD QUARTER. ULM 24, ARKANSAS 14.
3rd Quarter, ARK drive
6:11-ULM kick to ARK.
1st-and-10, own 31. Dick sacked for loss of 7.
2nd-and-17, own 24. Dick 33 pass to Joe Adams. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ULM 42. Dick 14 pass to London Crawford. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ULM 28. Smith 4 run.
2nd-and-7, ULM 24. Dick 17 pass to Smith. 1st down.
1st-and-goal, ULM 7. Smith 4 run.
2nd-and-goal, ULM 3. 5 yd penalty.
2nd-and-goal, ULM 8. Dick throws incomplete.
3rd-and-goal, ULM 8. Dick 8 pass to D.J. Williams for TD. ULM 24-12. 2 PT try pass to D.J. Williams is good. ULM 24-14.
1st-and-10, own 31. Dick sacked for loss of 7.
2nd-and-17, own 24. Dick 33 pass to Joe Adams. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ULM 42. Dick 14 pass to London Crawford. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ULM 28. Smith 4 run.
2nd-and-7, ULM 24. Dick 17 pass to Smith. 1st down.
1st-and-goal, ULM 7. Smith 4 run.
2nd-and-goal, ULM 3. 5 yd penalty.
2nd-and-goal, ULM 8. Dick throws incomplete.
3rd-and-goal, ULM 8. Dick 8 pass to D.J. Williams for TD. ULM 24-12. 2 PT try pass to D.J. Williams is good. ULM 24-14.
3rd Quarter, ULM drive
8:03, ULM takes over at own 47.
1st-and-10, own 47. Lancaster to McCall 40 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-goal, ARK 7. McNeal 6 run.
2nd-and-goal, ARK 1. Frazier no gain.
3rd-and-goal. ARK 1. Frazier 1 run for TD. ULM 23-6. PAT good. ULM 24, ARK 6.
1st-and-10, own 47. Lancaster to McCall 40 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-goal, ARK 7. McNeal 6 run.
2nd-and-goal, ARK 1. Frazier no gain.
3rd-and-goal. ARK 1. Frazier 1 run for TD. ULM 23-6. PAT good. ULM 24, ARK 6.
3rd Quarter, ARK drive
10:19-ULM kick to ARK.
1st-and-10, own 27. Dick to Miller 17 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-10, own 45. Smith 4 run.
2nd-and 6, own 49. Dick to Smith 4 yards.
3rd-and-2, ULM 47. Penalty 5 yds. (Substitution infraction, 12 men on field)
3rd-and-7, own 48. Dick keeps for 5 yds.
4th-and-2, ULM 47. Smith dropped for loss. TO on downs.
1st-and-10, own 27. Dick to Miller 17 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-10, own 45. Smith 4 run.
2nd-and 6, own 49. Dick to Smith 4 yards.
3rd-and-2, ULM 47. Penalty 5 yds. (Substitution infraction, 12 men on field)
3rd-and-7, own 48. Dick keeps for 5 yds.
4th-and-2, ULM 47. Smith dropped for loss. TO on downs.
3rd Quarter, ULM drive
15:00-Arkansas kicks off to ULM.
ULM: 1st-and-10, own 22. 9-yd gain by ULM RB.
2nd-and-1, own 31. Lancaster to Zacharie 17 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-10 own 48. Lancaster sacked at own 44.
2nd-and-14, own 44. Lancaster to Humphrey 14 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ARK 42. Lovett 2 run.
2nd-and-8, ARK 40. Lancaster throws incomplete.
3rd-and-8, ARK 40. Lancaster to McNeal 6 yards. 4th down.
4th-and-1, ARK 33. Lovett 2 run. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ARK 31. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-10, ARK 31, Lovett dropped for loss by ARK Sheppard.
3rd-and-12, ARK 33, Lancaster 33 TD pass to McCall. TD. ULM 16-6. PAT good. ULM 17-6.
ULM: 1st-and-10, own 22. 9-yd gain by ULM RB.
2nd-and-1, own 31. Lancaster to Zacharie 17 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-10 own 48. Lancaster sacked at own 44.
2nd-and-14, own 44. Lancaster to Humphrey 14 yards. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ARK 42. Lovett 2 run.
2nd-and-8, ARK 40. Lancaster throws incomplete.
3rd-and-8, ARK 40. Lancaster to McNeal 6 yards. 4th down.
4th-and-1, ARK 33. Lovett 2 run. 1st down.
1st-and-10, ARK 31. Lancaster throws incomplete.
2nd-and-10, ARK 31, Lovett dropped for loss by ARK Sheppard.
3rd-and-12, ARK 33, Lancaster 33 TD pass to McCall. TD. ULM 16-6. PAT good. ULM 17-6.
Halftime Notes
Any hope of forgetting the debacle last week in barely getting by Western Illinois can't be rid of the minds of Razorback fans in attendance tonight as Arkansas is again losing 10-6 at the half to a lower-tier opponent.
Michael Smith has really been the only highlight in a half filled with woes.
These woes include:
Alex Tejada missing two field goals AND an extra point AND kicking it out-of-bounds AND getting a delay of game penalty on a kick-off.
Arkansas getting a punt blocked, giving ULM excellent field position.
Casey Dick getting sacked or dropped for losses numerous times.
London Crawford actually hauling a ball in inside the 5-yard line but getting offensive pass interference.
Dick only getting 74 yards through the air.
Defense having to be on the field too long.
Arkansas is re-taking the field for the second half, and there will be some changes to how the blog is presented in the second half. It will be a play-by-play synopsis by quarter.
Arkansas better conjure some more second half magic or it's going to be a loss they needed to avoid, especially with the Texas Longhorns looming next week.
Michael Smith has really been the only highlight in a half filled with woes.
These woes include:
Alex Tejada missing two field goals AND an extra point AND kicking it out-of-bounds AND getting a delay of game penalty on a kick-off.
Arkansas getting a punt blocked, giving ULM excellent field position.
Casey Dick getting sacked or dropped for losses numerous times.
London Crawford actually hauling a ball in inside the 5-yard line but getting offensive pass interference.
Dick only getting 74 yards through the air.
Defense having to be on the field too long.
Arkansas is re-taking the field for the second half, and there will be some changes to how the blog is presented in the second half. It will be a play-by-play synopsis by quarter.
Arkansas better conjure some more second half magic or it's going to be a loss they needed to avoid, especially with the Texas Longhorns looming next week.
Fifth Drive
ULM took advantage of the blocked punt and great field position by converting a field goal and lead Arkansas 10-6 with 3:48 remaining in the 1st half.
Arkansas probably needs to use this drive before the half is over to put a touchdown on the board and at least have some kind of momentum to come out to after intermission.
On the kickoff, Dennis Johnson tried to tiptoe up the sideline but stepped out at the 5-yard line, forcing Arkansas to drive 95 yards if they want to put it in the end zone.
1st-and-10 from its own 5. False start. Half the distance to the goal. 1st down repeated, Smith gets little gain.
On 2nd down, Smith carried for a big gain to his own 27. Dick was sacked on the the next play, however.
2nd and 16 from own 21. Dick gets sacked and Dick continued to get hit behind the line of scrimmage, forcing a punt and ULM takes over with :56 remaining.
Other than Michael Smith's running, Arkansas had done nothing this first half on offense and whenever they have done something, they have found a way to negate it.
Arkansas probably needs to use this drive before the half is over to put a touchdown on the board and at least have some kind of momentum to come out to after intermission.
On the kickoff, Dennis Johnson tried to tiptoe up the sideline but stepped out at the 5-yard line, forcing Arkansas to drive 95 yards if they want to put it in the end zone.
1st-and-10 from its own 5. False start. Half the distance to the goal. 1st down repeated, Smith gets little gain.
On 2nd down, Smith carried for a big gain to his own 27. Dick was sacked on the the next play, however.
2nd and 16 from own 21. Dick gets sacked and Dick continued to get hit behind the line of scrimmage, forcing a punt and ULM takes over with :56 remaining.
Other than Michael Smith's running, Arkansas had done nothing this first half on offense and whenever they have done something, they have found a way to negate it.
Fourth Drive
Arkansas gave up a touchdown but held fairly strong down inside its 5-yard line. ULM is up 7-6 with 8:12 left in the 1st half.
The kick was a touchback, so Arkansas starts at its own 20.
Dick went deep on 1st down, but the pass was tipped by a Warhawk defender.
On 2nd down, Michael Smith carried for no gain.
3rd-and-10 at own 20. Dick is sacked and dropped at his own 14, forcing a Hog punt.
ULM managed to block the Razorback punt, and ULM has the ball near the Arkansas 20 yard line.
Hog fans hoping for better things from last week aren't getting their wish.
The kick was a touchback, so Arkansas starts at its own 20.
Dick went deep on 1st down, but the pass was tipped by a Warhawk defender.
On 2nd down, Michael Smith carried for no gain.
3rd-and-10 at own 20. Dick is sacked and dropped at his own 14, forcing a Hog punt.
ULM managed to block the Razorback punt, and ULM has the ball near the Arkansas 20 yard line.
Hog fans hoping for better things from last week aren't getting their wish.
Third Drive
Arkansas began at its own 45, and Dick handed off to Michael Smith who then, on a reverse, handed off to Joe Adams who got 9 yards and ended the 1st quarter.
Smith carried on the next play and that moved the chains.
Dick scrambled for his life on 1st down and got two yards, bringing up 2nd-and-8 from the ULM 40.
Dick threw to Joe Adams on the play, and Adams fumbled, but wisely fell on it after ULM couldn't control the live ball.
3rd-and-1 from the ULM 33, and Michael Smith goes over the right side for a first down. Smith has been running strongly during this first half of play.
On 1st-and-10 from the ULM 22, Dick was almost sacked but threw it to London Crawford who threaded up the middle for 9 yards to the ULM 13.
Smith almost scored on the next play but he fell just short of the goal line. The play then went under further review. On the review, he was credited a touchdown as they said the ball broke the plane.
Tejada, however, missed the PAT, as his kicking woes just continue to pile up in this one.
Arkansas leads 7-0 with 11:40 remaining in the first half.
Smith carried on the next play and that moved the chains.
Dick scrambled for his life on 1st down and got two yards, bringing up 2nd-and-8 from the ULM 40.
Dick threw to Joe Adams on the play, and Adams fumbled, but wisely fell on it after ULM couldn't control the live ball.
3rd-and-1 from the ULM 33, and Michael Smith goes over the right side for a first down. Smith has been running strongly during this first half of play.
On 1st-and-10 from the ULM 22, Dick was almost sacked but threw it to London Crawford who threaded up the middle for 9 yards to the ULM 13.
Smith almost scored on the next play but he fell just short of the goal line. The play then went under further review. On the review, he was credited a touchdown as they said the ball broke the plane.
Tejada, however, missed the PAT, as his kicking woes just continue to pile up in this one.
Arkansas leads 7-0 with 11:40 remaining in the first half.
Second Drive
Arkansas didn't look the best on its first defensive possession, but Jake Bequette batted down a pass at the line and forced a ULM punt.
The Razorbacks begin at their own 22.
Michael Smith carried over right end for 2 yards on the first play.
Dick threw to Lucas Miller on 2nd-and-8 but Miller let it go through his hands, bringin gup and 3rd-and-long situation.
Dick managed to use his legs yet again to get a first down for Arkansas at its own 36.
Smith carried over the right side for the Hogs for 2, bringing up 2nd-and-8 again at its 38.
Smith then took a delayed handoff with a gaping hole up the middle into Warhawk territory 24 yards to the ULM 38.
Smith, on his next carry went 29 yards and bounced outside, going down to the ULM 9.
Inserted is De'Anthony Curtis, the freshman from Camden, who got 4 yards to bring up 2nd-and-goal from the 5.
Curtis got a carry again but was met at the hand-off, losing 3 yards.
3rd-and-goal from the 8. Dick is hit as he is thrown and the ball sailed high on him, bringing up 4th down.
Tejada comes in to try another field goal. The attempt is again no good, and the highly-acclaimed sophomore from Springdale is having immense struggles.
The Razorbacks begin at their own 22.
Michael Smith carried over right end for 2 yards on the first play.
Dick threw to Lucas Miller on 2nd-and-8 but Miller let it go through his hands, bringin gup and 3rd-and-long situation.
Dick managed to use his legs yet again to get a first down for Arkansas at its own 36.
Smith carried over the right side for the Hogs for 2, bringing up 2nd-and-8 again at its 38.
Smith then took a delayed handoff with a gaping hole up the middle into Warhawk territory 24 yards to the ULM 38.
Smith, on his next carry went 29 yards and bounced outside, going down to the ULM 9.
Inserted is De'Anthony Curtis, the freshman from Camden, who got 4 yards to bring up 2nd-and-goal from the 5.
Curtis got a carry again but was met at the hand-off, losing 3 yards.
3rd-and-goal from the 8. Dick is hit as he is thrown and the ball sailed high on him, bringing up 4th down.
Tejada comes in to try another field goal. The attempt is again no good, and the highly-acclaimed sophomore from Springdale is having immense struggles.
Opening Drive
Michael Smith took a hand-off five yards for Arkansas after Elton Ford returned the opening kick to its own 19.
Dick then threw complete to D.J. Williams for a first down up to its own 45.
Dick rolled out to the right under pressure on the next play and got a first down but lost his shoe in the process.
After a couple of busted plays with Michael Smith in both the air and on the ground, Joe Adams hauled in a pass for a first down and got to the ULM 30.
Dick then threw a pretty fade ball to London Crawford for 27 yards, but they called offensive pass interference on Crawford, bringing the ball back to midfield.
Smith then took a carry 8 yards over right end.
Joe Adams then caught a dump pass for 4 yards over the left side to bring up 3rd-and-18 at the ULM 38.
Adams came up with another catch on that play and got 10 yards, which wasn't enough for a first down, but it set up a Alex Tejada field goal try that missed from 45 yards.
Dick then threw complete to D.J. Williams for a first down up to its own 45.
Dick rolled out to the right under pressure on the next play and got a first down but lost his shoe in the process.
After a couple of busted plays with Michael Smith in both the air and on the ground, Joe Adams hauled in a pass for a first down and got to the ULM 30.
Dick then threw a pretty fade ball to London Crawford for 27 yards, but they called offensive pass interference on Crawford, bringing the ball back to midfield.
Smith then took a carry 8 yards over right end.
Joe Adams then caught a dump pass for 4 yards over the left side to bring up 3rd-and-18 at the ULM 38.
Adams came up with another catch on that play and got 10 yards, which wasn't enough for a first down, but it set up a Alex Tejada field goal try that missed from 45 yards.
Kickoff upon us
Arkansas is about to head onto the field to take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.
The Razorback captains today are Casey Dick, Jonathan Luigs, Malcolm Sheppard, and Jamar Love.
Arkansas won the toss and will receive the football.
The Razorback captains today are Casey Dick, Jonathan Luigs, Malcolm Sheppard, and Jamar Love.
Arkansas won the toss and will receive the football.
Live from Little Rock
I figured I'd blog for Arkansas' battle with Louisiana-Monroe here in War Memorial Stadium since I'm in the press box anyway.
So we are currently 40 minutes or so away from kickoff, and the Arkansas players seem to be walking with more swagger and confidence about them as they took the field to raucous cheers from a excited Little Rock crowd.
I'll update when we get closer to kick off.
So we are currently 40 minutes or so away from kickoff, and the Arkansas players seem to be walking with more swagger and confidence about them as they took the field to raucous cheers from a excited Little Rock crowd.
I'll update when we get closer to kick off.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Little Rock
Getting Started
This weekend, the Arkansas Razorbacks travel to War Memorial Stadium and Little Rock, Arkansas to face the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.
It is one of two games in the state capital this season.
Arkansas survived an opening-week scare when they scathed by Western Illinois 28-24 this past Saturday, way off my prediction of 47-23.
It didn't help that some of Arkansas' most seasoned veterans, i.e. Michael Smith, Jerell Norton, Elston Forte and Wendel Davis, were forced to the sidelines.
At least they got the victory.
But I think the Razorbacks are going to wake up this week and play a lot better football; the thing is, though, is that there isn't much time to get a whole lot better because a Murderer's Row schedule is upon the Razorbacks after Saturday's game.
My prediction for Saturday is 38-19 Arkansas.
Clemson flops
With so much hype and publicity heading into the season, no team fell more flat on their face in their first game of the season then the Clemson Tigers did.
In the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Alabama spanked Clemson 34-10, furthering SEC dominance.
I wasn't the least surprised, because Alabama has a lot of talent and I knew Clemson was not that good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)