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Evans runs for 2 TDs in Arkansas spring game; Allen looks sharp

Tom Brew

By Tom Brew

Published:

If there is ever a time when final scores don’t matter, it’s in spring football games. That was certainly the case Saturday in Arkansas’s spring game in Fayetteville.

The Red-White game was set up as the first-teamers (White) against the rest of the roster (Reds). Jamario Bell, a potential backup tight end, caught a 28-yard TD pass from fourth-string QB Ricky Town in the final minute of a running clock in the fourth quarter but he did it with a group of players half in red jerseys and half in white.

The Red, who got double points, were credited with the points – and the victory – originally. But it was reversed after they realized there was mostly White players on offense at the time. So the score was changed and the White won 39-21. Red wins? White wins?

How’s that for irrelevant?

It was mostly about the key players doing good things under sun-drenched skies at Razorback Stadium and that certainly happened. It was a good day for the Razorbacks. Here are a few highlights.

Game Highlights

Defense dominates:  Much like a lot of the spring has gone, the defense outshone the offense during Saturday’s game, especially early. The White team, playing with the first-team offense, struggled to move the ball early and didn’t start finishing drives until right before half. Willie Sykes made a great play knocking down a sure TD pass from quarterback Austin Allen to Keon Hatcher midway through the second quarter. … “We never broke any tackles (on offense), so I guess that means we didn’t miss any tackles on defense,” Bielema said. “I thought our defense, both groups, really played well and tackled well.”

QB of the future: All eyes were on QB Austin Allen, who won the job last week and goes into the fall as the starter, replacing three-year starter Brandon Allen, his older brother. He forced a few throws early but then seemed to get more comfortable. He threw some nice out routes too with plenty of zip on them, especially one to Dominique Reed in the second quarter. “He really took charge and he’s done a great job so far,” Brandon Allen said of his little brother’s spring ascension to the starting role.

In the  third quarter, Allen zipped a 28-yard pass over the middle to Keon Hatcher after a bad snap that was his best throw of the day. It should have been a touchdown, but Hatcher got knocked down at the 1-yard line. Allen was 13-of-19 for 141 yards through the air.

Field goal fun: After the first and third periods the Razorbacks held a field goal shootout that wasn’t veery impressive, with many short misses. But during the game, Red kicker Adam McFain nailed a 51-yard FG in the second quarter, which was worth double points for the Red. Starter Cole Hedlund answered for the White to end the half, giving the White a 16-12 lead at the half.

https://twitter.com/ericwbolin/status/723922135295500292

Backfield battles: Denzel Evans ran hard to score the first touchdown of the game, late in the second quarter. He took the handoff to the left side from 5 yards out and broke two tackles near the goal line to score for the White, giving them a 13-6 lead. He scored again from the 1-yard line to end the third quarter to make it 23-12.

Evans was impressive in a group that really didn’t do much Saturday. Potential starter Kody Walker was out with a foot injury – and will be at least into June – so it was an opportunity for others to step up. Evans was the best of the bunch, by far. He finished with 44 yards on 14 carries to lead all backs.  The longest runs actually came from receiver Keon Hatcher (21 yards) and Cody Hollister (15) on end arounds. Damon Mitchell, playing for both teams, had 10 total carries for 43 yards.

Noteworthy

Welcome back, Rawleigh: RB Rawleigh Williams III was back on the field for the first time since his scary neck injury last fall. He got a chance to carry the ball a few times, but wore a green jersey so he couldn’t be tackled. Still, it was great to see him back. WR Drew Morgan (offseason surgery) also played in a green jersey.

Mackey trophy heads home: Hunter Henry won the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end last year. He accepted the award back in December, but was honored at the spring game for winning the award and, finally, got to take the trophy home.

Memory Lane: Clint Stoerner led Arkansas to a huge upset win over Tennessee back in 1999. The former Razorback quarterback was working the game for the SEC Network and prior to the fourth quarter they recreated the game winning play, a 35-yard TD pass to Anthony Lucas. Stoerner through another strike, 16 years later, much to the crowd’s delight.

Bielema’s thoughts

Tom Brew

Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist and author who is covering SEC football for Saturday Down South.

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