Arkansas doesn’t show any weaknesses in dominant win over Texas State

Razorbacks fans got to rest easy for a change. After two narrow victories in the first two weeks of the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks smoked visiting Texas State in a nonconference matchup at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday night.

Here is an analysis of Arkansas’ dominant 42-3 victory:

5 TAKEAWAYS

• Eyes on the prize: While Razorbacks fans may have already had their sights set on next week’s clash with SEC West rival Texas A&M, Arkansas did not overlook visiting Texas State, which entered Saturday fresh off a bye week following a 56-54 triple-overtime victory over Ohio in Week 1. The Razorbacks dominated every phase of the game, ultimately improving their record to 3-0 after scoring 40 or more points for the seventh time in their last 10 games. With the win, Arkansas improved to 3-0 for the second time under head coach Bret Bielema and for the seventh time since 1998.
• Hogs running wild: Arkansas continued to have success on the ground as it finished with 226 rushing yards in the win. Rawleigh Williams III reached the century mark for the second consecutive week, leading the Razorbacks’ running game with 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 carries. While Kody Walker (7 carries, 23 yards) added a touchdown of his own, true freshman Devwah Whaley had his biggest performance of his young career, rushing for 50 yards on 11 carries.
• Outstanding defense: There’s no question Saturday night was the best showing the Razorbacks’ defense has had all season. The unit allowed the Bobcats to only score 3 points on 105 yards of total offense, and it held the visitors to just 26 yards in the first half. That was the lowest offensive total of any opponent since Arkansas held Texas to just 59 yards in the 2014 Texas Bowl. Not only did the pass rush produce four sacks, the unit also limited the Bobcats to 22 rushing yards.
• Another pick-six: For the second week in a row, the Razorbacks returned an interception for a touchdown. After linebacker Brooks Ellis returned a pick for a 47-yard touchdown in Arkansas’ 41-38 double-overtime win at TCU last weekend, it was cornerback Ryan Pulley who scored a defensive touchdown Saturday night. He picked off Tyler Jones and returned it 25 yards to the house.
• Allen-Hatcher connection continues: Keon Hatcher was the signal-caller’s favorite target for the second time this season as he accounted for the majority of Allen’s 241 passing yards. Hatcher finished with three catches for 96 yards, including a 73-yard gain which was originally ruled a touchdown before the officials determined the wide receiver’s knee was down just inches before the goal line. Nevertheless, the long gain was the Razorbacks’ longest play from scrimmage this season, and it marked new career-longs for both Allen and Hatcher, who linked up for a 9-yard touchdown on the offense’s opening possession.

REPORT CARD

• Offense: A –Arkansas mixed things up offensively, utilizing a balanced attack of 241 passing yards and 226 rushing yards to torch the Bobcats.
• Defense: A –The unit bottled up Texas State’s offense, holding the team to just 105 yards. It only allowed one field goal in the win, while holding the Bobcats to three third-down conversions on 14 tries.
• Special teams: B – Although the unit didn’t hurt the team like it had the previous two games, there is still room for improvements.
• Coaching: A –Bielema and his staff deserve plenty of credit for having the Razorbacks locked and loaded despite playing against an inferior opponent. Even though the game was sandwiched between a wild victory over TCU and an SEC clash against the Aggies, Bielema’s bunch executed and came away with a lopsided win.
• Overall: A –After two hard-fought victories, Saturday’s win was just what the Razorbacks needed before beginning SEC play next weekend.

GAME PLAN

While the offense was balanced, the defense played with a reckless abandon, an aggressive approach that completely stifled the Bobcats. Just as the team was dominant on the defensive side of the ball, the Razorbacks’ offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage to help Arkansas run away with a massive victory.

GAME BALLS

• RB Rawleigh Williams: The running back became the first member of the Razorbacks’ backfield to record two touchdowns this season. While Williams recorded a season-best 137 yards last weekend, that came on 28 rushes compared to the 19 carries he had Saturday.
• The entire defense: Between the incredible first-half performance, Pulley’s touchdown, and the 3 points the unit allowed, the defense deserves another game ball for its strong play.
• WR Keon Hatcher: He only finished with three catches, but Hatcher showed once again he can cause problems for opposing defenses. As Allen continues to progress during his first season as the team’s starting quarterback, Hatcher remains his favorite target.

Brad Joyal