Arkansas State Recruiting: Gus Malzahn’s First Class Taking Great Form

As the offensive coordinator for Auburn less than a year ago Gus Malzahn was helping build a highly ranked recruiting class for the BCS defending national champion Tigers.

Now the first year head coach at Arkansas State is trying to build a highly ranked recruiting class for the defending Sun Belt Champion Red Wolves.

Oh, how times have changed.

Malzahn’s 2011 recruiting class with SEC West power Auburn was ranked No. 7 by Rivals.com and No. 2 by Scout.com. Of the 12 high school players designated for offense, two were considered 5-star prospects- offensive guard Christian Westerman and quarterback Kiehl Frazier. Seven 4-star players were signed along with three 3-star recruits.

With one week left in before National Signing Day, Malzahn has 23 verbal commitments and has the Red Wolves ranked No. 78 in recruiting.

Without a closer look into the ASU recruiting situation, one may feel bad for the new head coach. The rankings do not tell the entire story. Malzahn appears to be building a winner in Jonesboro.

In 2011 Arkansas State finished the recruiting season tied for the 101st best or worst class, depending on one’s outlook, out of 120 Division 1-A college football teams. The Red Wolves signed 24 players in total. 10 of those signees were out of the junior college ranks. None scouted higher than a 3-star.

Arkansas State finished recruiting ranked No. 106 with the third best talent haul in the Sun Belt Conference in 2010.

Do not pity Gus Malzahn. If you are an opposing coach you should fear him.

ASU currently leads the Sun Belt in recruiting per Scout.com, highlighted by six 3-star players who have verbally pledged their college careers to Malzahn. Still a far cry from his time at Auburn but with two scholarship spots left ASU is within current striking distance of named schools like Wake Forest, Iowa State, and Connecticut.

Not impressed yet? ASU is ranked ahead of teams like Kansas State, Kansas, and Memphis; teams with much greater tradition and name power than the defending Sun Belt champs.

Breaking Down the Class

Two junior college transfers should help the Red Wolves defense next season. 3-star defensive tackle Dexter Blackmon, 6’2”, 285 pounds, from Coffeyville, Kansas and middle linebacker Eddie Porter, 6’3”, 235 pounds, from Blinn College.

Blinn College defensive ends John Gandy, 6’0”, 245, pounds and Ishmael Hayes 6’6”, 245 pounds will via for playing time next season. Lawrence Cayou, 6’5”, 265 pounds, from Highland, Kansas is another junior college transfer looking for playing time at defensive end.

ASU took a couple of in-state 3-star players to help out, offensive tackle Jemar Clark, 6’6”, 280 pounds, from McCrory and cornerback Marquis Walker, 6’0”, 170 pounds, from Rison.

What good is a potent offense without a quarterback to run it? Malzahn has two quarterbacks on his list to help build his program around with Jalen Whitlow, 3-star from Prattville, Alabama and Fredi Knighten, 2-star from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The following is a complete list of the 14 remaining verbal commitments:

RB Kendrick Daniels, 3-star, 5’7”, 150 pounds, Sulphur Springs, Texas

RB Quintavius Burdette, 2-star, 5’10”, 179 pounds, Senatobia, Miss

RB DeKeathan Williams, 2-star, 6’2”, 205 pounds, West Helena, Ark

RB Todd Mays, 2-star, 5’11”, 205 pounds, Olive Branch, Miss

RB Michael Gordon, 2-star, 5’11”, 180 pounds, Camden, Miss

WR Warren Leapheart, Not Ranked, 6’5”, 205 pounds, Morrilton, Ark

WR Bralon Roberts, 2-star, 6’5”, 185 pounds, Dallas, Texas

C Bryce Giddens, 2-star, 6’0”, 265 pounds, Moultrie, Georgia

OG Colton Jackson, 2-star, 6’4”, 250 pounds, Ozark, Ark

OG Michael Flint, 2-star, 6’4”, 303 pounds, Oxford, Alabama

OT Devin Mondie, 2-star, 6’6”, 300 pounds, Olive Branch, Miss

LB Quanterio Heath, 2-star, 6’2”, 200 pounds, Rison, Ark

CB Derek Keaton, 2-star, 5’11”, 165 pounds, Camden, Ark

DT Tevin Bryson, 2-star, 6’4”, 285 pounds, Humboldt, Tenn

National Signing Day is Feb. 1. All commitments are verbal and non-binding. 

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Is Arkansas the most Influential State for College Football of All-Time?

Since the first football game was played November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, football fans have battled over whose team is better, which team has the best players, and why for over 100 years.

The most overlooked area in college football and perhaps the most important is what state is the most influential. What makes your criteria, the most Heisman Trophy winners per state, the most first round NFL draft picks, or the coaches that got those players to their prominent positions?

Based on coaching, would you believe Arkansas may be the most influential college football state of all-time?

Penn State fans will argue about the legacy of Joe Pa, Florida State fans will “Tomahawk” you to death with Bobby Bowden all the while Bill Walsh and Cardinal fans will nickel and dime you down the field in the West Coast offense. But if one looks closely at the coaches born in the state of Arkansas or those that cut their teeth coaching at the University of Arkansas, you might change your mind.

Here are a few coaches that have made their mark in the world of college football after passing through the great state of Arkansas.

Paul “Bear” Bryant

Who is arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time? Most fans, especially those who support Alabama, will tell you Paul “Bear” Bryant is the end all be all and for good reason. Coach Bryant won six national championships at Alabama and 15 conference titles between the SEC and Southwest Conference.

When Bryant retired he owned a 323-85-17 coaching record; that is a winning percentage of 76. After his passing in 1983, Super Bowl XVII was dedicated in his honor. The National Coach of the Year Award is even named in his honor.

Three coaches that got their start under Coach Bryant went on to win National Championships – Danny Ford, Gene Stallings, and Howard Schnellenberger. Other notable head coaches that got their start under Bear Bryant include David Cutcliffe, Jackie Sherrill, Pat Dye, Sylvester Croom, Jim Owens, Charles McClendon, and Neil Callaway.

What does Coach Bryant have to do with Arkansas? He was born in Fordyce, Arkansas. Alabama and college football fans, you are welcome.

Frank Broyles

The next great Arkansas coach would have to be Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles was the head coach at the University of Arkansas for 19 years compiling a record of 149-62-6 (69 winning percent) making him the all-time winningest coach in school history.

Coach Broyles won a national championship in 1964 and seven Southwest Conference titles from 1958 - 1976.

His showdown against University of Texas in 1969 was considered “The Game of the Century” before this year’s Alabama and LSU teams were even a consideration. There was so much national attention on the game President Nixon showed up in Fayetteville to watch.

Broyles was in the broadcast booth with Keith Jackson on ABC from 1977-1985 influencing generations of college football fans watching the games at home.

In 1996 college football started the Frank Broyles Award to honor the top college football assistant in the nation. Past winners include Randy Shannon, Norm Chow, Gene Chizik, and Gus Malzahn.

Broyles helped Johnny Majors (Tennessee), Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins), Barry Switzer (Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys), and Jimmy Johnson (University of Miami and the Dallas Cowboys) all get their start in coaching. Between the four coaches they have won five college football national championships and six Super Bowls.

Of the players Coach Broyles mentored over 30 have gone on to coach at the college or pro levels.

As the athletic director for Arkansas in 1992, Coach Broyles led Arkansas to college football’s first mega-conference when they departed the now defunct Southwest Conference for the Southeastern Conference.

Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz succeeded Coach Broyles in 1977 as the head coach at Arkansas after stops at William and Mary, North Carolina State, and a one-year stint as the New York Jets head coach. Coach Broyles gave the embattled coach an opportunity to get back into college coaching before taking Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.

Holtz won the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 1977 after leading Arkansas to a 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Had Oklahoma won the game that would have been the third national championship in four years for the Sooners. OU was coached by Barry Switzer.

Younger generations may only know of Coach Holtz from his work on ESPN’s College Football Score Board and College Football Live or his time as South Carolina’s head coach (1999-2004).

Houston Nutt

Recruited by Broyles and played under Lou Holtz, Houston Nutt not only was born in Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks but he was also the head coach at the University of Arkansas from 1998-2007. Coach Nutt won three SEC West titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year three times.

In 1998 Coach Nutt was awarded coach of the year by The Football News for leading Arkansas to a 9-3 record after being picked to finish last in the SEC West during the preseason.

Coach Nutt had eight winning seasons while at Arkansas, two as the head coach at Ole Miss. Nutt’s teams have appeared in seven New Year’s Day bowl games.

He coached Darren McFadden to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Heisman Trophy Award – 2006 and 2007.

Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson played his college ball at the University of Arkansas before becoming the defensive coordinator under Broyles from 1973-1976. Johnson went on to be the head coach at Oklahoma State University (1979-1983) and University of Miami (1984-1988) before going to the NFL.

Coach Johnson won the 1987 national championship at Miami before taking over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach in 1989. While in Dallas, Johnson won the Super Bowl in 1992 and 1993. The foundation Johnson laid for the Cowboys set up another Super Bowl win in 1995.

Johnson’s coaching tree includes native Arkansans Tommy Tuberville and Butch Davis. Johnson also helped start the careers of Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt, and Dave Campo.

Randy Shannon was the starting linebacker for Johnson’s national championship team. Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010.

Barry Switzer

As the head coach at University of Oklahoma from 1973-1988 Barry Switzer had a college record of 157-29-4 winning three national championships (1974, 1975, and 1985) and won 12 Big Eight Conference Titles.

Coach Switzer won 82 percent of his games at OU. His teams finished in the Top 10 of the AP Poll 12 times during his tenure.

He won Super Bowl XXX in 1995 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Switzer played for the Razorbacks from 1956-1960 before taking a position as an assistant from 1961-1965 with the Hogs.

Coach Switzer was born in Crossett, Arkansas.

Ken Hatfield

Ken Hatfield was born in Helena, Arkansas. He played at Arkansas under Frank Broyles, was the head coach at Arkansas from 1984-1989 compiling a record of 55-17 with three 10 win seasons – 1985, 1988, and 1989.

Hatfield was also the head coach at Air Force, Clemson, and Rice.

Butch Davis

Coach Davis was a defensive end for the Razorbacks before starting his coaching career at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas.

Coach Davis helped turn the University of Miami program around and laid down the tracks for success for Larry Coker and their BCS Championship winning team in 2001. Davis was the head coach at Miami from 1995-2000 before taking over as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns (2001-2004).

Davis was recently the head coach at North Carolina – 2007-2010.

He won three Big East Championships while at Miami – 1995, 1996, and 2000.

Butch Davis recruited Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, and Jeremey Shockey, just to name a few of the more noteworthy NFL players under his mentorship.

Hayden Fry

Coach Fry got his big coaching break when Frank Broyles brought him on staff as his offensive backfield coach in 1961. After Arkansas was the Southwest Conference co-champions that same year, SMU hired Fry as their head coach for the 1962 season.

Fry is most remembered as the head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes (1979-1998). Fry won one Southwest Conference title (1966), one Missouri Valley Conference title (1973), and three Big Ten titles (1981, 1985, and 1990).

Johnny Majors

Coach Majors may be considered “Mr. Rocky Top” but before he became the head coach at Tennessee he was an assistant under Frank Broyles from 1964-1967. Majors parlayed his time at Arkansas to a head coaching position at Iowa State (1968-1972) before two stints at University of Pittsburgh (1973-1976 and 1993-1996).

Majors won the SEC three times (1985, 1989, and 1990). His coaching record for the Volunteers was 116-62-8. In 1985 his Tennessee team finished the season ranked No. 4, his highest post season ranking.

Head Coaches Born in Arkansas

Fred Akers

Fred Akers was born in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was a running back, kicker, and punter for the Hogs before becoming a coach.

Akers is best remembered as being the head coach at University of Texas from 1977-1986. He also had head coaching jobs at Wyoming (1975-1976) and Purdue (1987-1990).

Akers twice led the Longhorns through undefeated seasons only to lose their bowl game each time – 1977 and 1983.

Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn, from Jonesboro, Arkansas, was the offensive coordinator for Arkansas, Tulsa, and Auburn before taking the head coaching position at Arkansas State.

He won the 2010 BCS National Championship as the offensive coordinator for Auburn.

As offensive coordinator, Darren McFadden had a runner-up finish in the 2006 Heisman Trophy Award and in 2010 quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman while at Auburn.

Charlie Strong

Coach Strong was born in Batesville, Arkansas and attended University of Central Arkansas before embarking on his coaching career. Strong made a name for himself as a top SEC defensive coordinator at South Carolina (1999-2001) and Florida (2002-2009) before taking the head coaching job at Louisville in 2010.

Tommy Tuberville

The “Riverboat Gambler” was born in Camden, Arkansas and played safety at Southern Arkansas before beginning his coaching career at Arkansas State.

Coach Tuberville has been the head coach at Ole Miss (1995-1998) and Auburn (1999-2008) before taking the Texas Tech position in 2010. While coaching in the SEC Tuberville won one SEC Conference Title and five SEC Western Conference Division Titles.

In 2004 he led the Tigers to a 13-0 record. That same year he won the Paul “Bear” Bryant award. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year – 1997 and 2004.

Fitz Hill

Coach Hill was an assistant on the Razorback staff from 1992-2000. He played collegiately at Ouachita Baptist (NAIA) in Arkansas. He was the head coach of San Jose State from 2001-2004 before returning to Ouachita Baptist as the school’s president.

Coaching Assistants at University of Arkansas

Joe Gibbs – Running backs coach 1971-1972, three time Super Bowl winner with the Washington Redskins.

Garrick McGee – Quarterback coach from 2008-2009, offensive coordinator from 2009-2010, and now the head coach at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Monte Kiffin – Defensive coordinator from 1977-1979, parlayed stint at Arkansas into head coaching job at North Carolina State. He is considered the “father” of the Tampa Two defense. Kiffin is the current defensive coordinator at University of Southern California.

Pete Carroll got his first big coaching break as a graduate assistant coaching the secondary at Arkansas under then head coach Lou Holtz. On staff was Monte Kiffin who taught Carroll the “4-3 Under” defense and the principal of the Tampa Two defense. Carroll was the 2003 National Coach of the Year while at USC.

Arkansas’ Influences in other Areas of Football

Jerry Jones grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas and played on Frank Broyles 1964 national championship team. In 1989 Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and immediately made waves throughout the NFL by firing legendary head coach Tom Landry.

Jones has taken “America’s Team” to new heights in popularity while winning three Super Bowls as the team owner – 1992, 1993, and 1995.

He is also the general manager for the Dallas Cowboys.

Pat Summerall was a place kicker, tight end, and defensive end at Arkansas from 1949-1951. He spent 10 years in the NFL before working NFL telecasts in 1962. Summerall and John Madden became the definitive broadcast voices for NFL football covering 22 years.

In 1994 the Pro Football Hall of Fame awarded Summerall the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his contributions to football through radio and television.

From USC to Tennessee and Seattle to Miami, the coaching tree continues to spread its influence on college and pro football making Arkansas the most influential state in college football. 

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SEC College Football Preview: Looking Ahead to No. 15 Auburn vs. No. 10 Arkansas

How do you like your college football offense? Do you like watching a workhorse get 30-40 carries in a game? Or do you like watching a quarterback attempt 30-50 passes in a game? However you like your offense, the Auburn versus Arkansas game should fill your Saturday with plenty of excitement.

The Auburn Tigers

Auburn, the 2010 BCS National Champions, started the 2011 season with a comeback victory over Utah State 42-38 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers had to score twice in the final 2:07 of the game for the win and have been fighting for national respect every since.

The following game the Tigers extended their winning streak to 17-games with a home win against 16th ranked Mississippi State. Auburn’s defense stuffed MSU quarterback Chris Relf with 10 seconds to play at the goal line to hold on for a 41-34 victory. Still, no respect was given to Auburn. Everyone was waiting for an Auburn collapse as they only had five-starters returning from last year’s team.

Unranked Clemson brought Auburn back to reality with a 14-point beating in Death Valley. Finally the real Tiger team was exposed and no more late game heroics could save them. Or did Auburn just happen to lose 38-24 on the road to a really good team?

Clemson has won three straight games over ranked opponents and are now ranked 8th in the nation.

Auburn was given an “adjustment game” against Florida Atlantic, winning 30-14, before starting a tough four-game conference schedule against teams that are all featured in the Associated Press Top 25; at South Carolina, at Arkansas, versus Florida, at LSU.

Auburn fans would hope for a 2-2 record through this tough stretch. Auburn players are wanting more than that, they’re for real and they want the rest of the world to take notice.

The Tigers had nothing to lose but everything to gain when facing No. 10 South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in week five action. The game would be a matchup of two of the top running backs in the SEC and in the nation, Auburn’s Michael Dyer and South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore.

Auburn’s late game heroics were far from over. A nine-yard Barrett Trotter touchdown pass with 1:38 left in the game would give the Tiger’s a 16-13 win.

Michael Dyer would win the running back battle over Lattimore finishing the game with 141-yards and one touchdown while setting an Auburn rushing attempts record with 41 carries. Lattimore finished the game with 66-yards on 17 attempts and one score.

The Arkansas Razorbacks

How many injuries does it take to derail a promising Arkansas Razorback football season?

One injury was thought to be enough when All-SEC running back Knile Davis was lost for the season with a left ankle injury during fall practices. Much was expected of Davis after he rushed for 1,322 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in what seemed like only half of a season last year.

Even with quarterback Ryan Mallett departed to the NFL along with three offensive linemen and their Mackey Award wining tight end, D.J. Williams, Arkansas was given national respect because of Davis and Bobby Petrino’s offense. After the injury to Davis, Petrino was left with the task of finding another offensive option. Now college football fans are aware of Tyler Wilson.

Wilson has been more than impressive as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks. With limited action in his first two starts, Wilson is still leading the SEC in passing yards (7th in the nation) with 1,517 yards, second in the SEC with 10 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions in 172 attempts.

Wilson’s go-to receiver, Jarius Wright, leads the SEC with 28 receptions and in receiving yards with 478. Wright’s 119.50 receiving yards per game is 10th best in college football.

The Razorbacks had other injuries to deal with on offense other than Knile Davis. Second string running back Broderick Green, a senior, was thought to be lost for the season when he tore his ACL during spring practices. Dennis Johnson, a 2009 All-American as a kick-off returner, was hurt during the first game of the 2010 season missing the rest of the year. Johnson did not play in the first three games of this season and had limited action against Alabama while recovering from a hamstring injury.

Arkansas started the season with three wins in their non-conference warm-up games; Missouri State 51-7, New Mexico 52-3, and Troy 38-28. Through the first three games Arkansas was never able to find a rhythm at running back with junior running back Ronnie Wingo Jr. as the starter.

Wingo rushed for 43-yards against Missouri State, 73-yards against New Mexico, and 109-yards and two touchdowns against Troy. On short yardage or goal line plays Petrino was using true freshman Kody Walker (Jefferson City, Missouri) instead of Wingo.

Alabama was able to limit Arkansas to 17-net yards rushing holding Wingo to 35-yards rushing on eleven attempts in a 38-14 loss. Arkansas’s offense had become one dimensional relying solely on the arm of Tyler Wilson.

Green and Johnson both made major contributions against Texas A&M which could be the turning point to the Razorback season. Johnson and Green were able to gain critical first downs in the second half using their tough and physical running styles. Green added two rushing touchdowns, his second touchdown proved to be the winning score for the Razorbacks.  

Arkansas’ injury problems have not stopped with the offense. Arkansas has been without both of their starting defensive ends Jake Bequette (missed three games) and Tenarius Wright (injured against Alabama, out 4-6 weeks). Starting cornerbacks Issac Madison (injured against Alabama, did not play against Texas A&M) and Darius Winston (injured during the Texas A&M game) have both missed significant game time. Junior college transfer Robert Thomas, a defensive lineman, was hurt against Texas A&M as well.

Arkansas’ early season has seen Petrino and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson plug and play around key injuries and inexperience on both sides of the ball. Through it all, Arkansas is now ranked 10th in the nation after a 42-38 victory over Texas A&M.

Key Matchups: Auburn vs. Arkansas

Can Arkansas stop Auburn’s top running back, Michael Dyer?

Arkansas gave up 381-rushing yards to Texas A&M; Christine Michael 230, Cyrus Grey 95. Alabama ran for 197-net yards against the Hogs; Trent Richardson 126 yards, Eddie Lacy 61.

Arkansas’ rushing defense is ranked 82nd in the nation allowing 168.20 yards per game.

Dyer is third in the SEC in total rushing yards with 567 and third in rushing touchdowns with seven. His 113.40 rushing yards per game ranks him 18th in the nation.

Arkansas is expecting defensive end Jake Bequette and cornerback Issac Madison to return against Auburn which should help their overall defensive performance. The Hogs will still be without defensive tackle Robert Thomas and cornerback Darius Winston.

Even if the Razorbacks are at full strength would they be able to slow down Dyer?

Can Auburn stop Arkansas’ passing attack?

The Tiger defense is ranked 74th in the nation in pass defense allowing 232.80 yards per game. The only true passing team Auburn has faced this season is Clemson. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd threw for 386-yards and four touchdowns against Auburn.

The Razorbacks are 16th in the nation in scoring offense averaging 39.40 points per game.

Jarius Wright (478), Cobi Hamilton (318), and Joe Adams (235) are all ranked in the top 15 in the SEC for total yards receiving.

Will the young and inexperienced Tiger secondary be able to keep up with the Razorbacks wide receiving unit?

Tiger cornerback Chris Davis was held out of the South Carolina game due to an ankle injury. Auburn will need every available body healthy come Saturday.

Recent Series History

Over the last five years Arkansas holds 3-2 series lead over Auburn. Auburn has been ranked at the time of each game including their 2006 meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium when Auburn was ranked second in the nation. This will be the second straight year that both teams are ranked at the time of their game and the first time the Razorbacks are ranked ahead of the Tigers.

2010 (12) Arkansas 43 at (7) Auburn 65

2009 (17) Auburn 23 at Arkansas 44

2008 Arkansas 25 at (20) Auburn 22

2007 (22) Auburn 9 at Arkansas 7

2006 Arkansas 27 at (2) Auburn 10

* Rankings in parenthesis

Inside the Game

Auburn has two prized 5-star recruits from the state of Arkansas on their roster, true sophomore running back Michael Dyer (Little Rock Christian) and true freshman quarterback Kiehl Frazier (Shiloh Christian, Springdale). Auburn has been using Frazier in the Wildcat formation for a change of pace on offense.

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is a former Arkansas high school football coach (Shiloh Christian) and was the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas in 2006.

Outcome

Both teams are coming off upset wins in their previous game. Arkansas over then ranked No. 14 Texas A&M 42-38 and Auburn over then ranked No. 10 South Carolina 16-13.

Was Auburn’s defense against South Carolina a sign of their maturation or a poorly executed offensive game plan by USC?

The Tigers will take credit for three Stephen Garcia sacks and his two interceptions. Garcia completed 39 percent of his passes finishing with a total of 160-yards passing; and lost his starting job in the process. Don’t look for Wilson to have similar results.

Marcus Lattimore was held to 66-yards rushing with one score. The Gamecocks also fumbled the ball three times losing two while finishing the game 2 for 10 on third down conversion attempts.

The Razorback defense had only allowed one rushing touchdown prior to the A&M game. A&M had an amazing first half racking up 404 yards of offense and 35 points. Through all of the defensive injuries, Willy Robinson made the correct halftime defensive adjustments making the second half a different game. Arkansas limited the Aggies to 3 second half points.

The ability to pick up short yardage first downs with the run and control the clock with the running game in the fourth quarter is something the Razorbacks have been missing. Arkansas appears to have found their power running game with the return of Dennis Johnson and Broderick Green.  

Auburn wide receiver Emory Blake did not play a full second half against South Carolina. His ability to play will help shape Auburn’s offensive attack. Auburn is already one dimensional with Michael Dyer. If Blake cannot play Arkansas will be able to stack the box against Dyer.

Auburn’s 74th ranked scoring defense yields 27.40 points per game.

Arkansas’ defense only allows 22.80 points per game ranking 48th in FBS.

Final Score

Dyer runs but not enough as Tyler Wilson exploits the Tiger’s secondary for a 38-24 win. 

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