Provo, Utah, was the site of Arkansas and BYU, who would meet for the first time in possibly the most beautiful scenery in all of college football. In every game, there are goals to accomplish. Last week we looked at three keys that it would take to win. It’s time to get a grade on this week’s keys to victory. The Hogs got the win but did they pass the keys? Let’s find out.
Last Week’s Keys
Stability at Quarterback–
Recently, we have seen a bit of controversy in Fayetteville at the quarterback position. Between Cate Fortin, Malik Hornsby, or KJ Jefferson, it’s been a literal guessing game with who would start. This week, there was no question about who would be under center for the Hogs. In Provo, the junior signal caller played with poise and confidence. The junior would have a career day throwing 29/40 for 347 yards and five touchdowns. Jefferson would set a personal best with his five touchdowns in a game. His previous best was four last seasons against Arkansas Pine Bluff.
Jefferson passed the first key with his ability to operate this offense to near perfection. To further the point, the Razorbacks scored eight of the eleven drives against the Cougars. Jefferson had nineteen attempts in the second half and only missed six. This may be the best version of Jefferson to date. If so, this Hogs offense has the potential to be a threat. In quarterback stability, Arkansas achieved and exceeded the key.
Grade – A+
Run The Ball
Light the rocket! Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and the Razorbacks had a repeat of an earlier game this season and ran right past the Cougars. The Hogs ran the ball 42 times for 277 yards at an average of just over six-and-a-half yards per carry. Sanders had 15 rushes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Furthermore, as a team, the Razorbacks rank 11th nationally in rushing offense with 1,680 and 14 touchdowns through their first seven games. With Sanders as their main threat, this key looks to be one we will need to see continue for the Hogs to succeed.
Sanders seemed to be run with more tenacity against BYU. He would put the final touch on the game early in the 4th quarter with a game-long rush of 64 yards with ease. When the rocket is lit, this team is dangerous. Offensive Coordinator, Kendal Briles, seemed to have a better-flowing offense this week, and running the ball was the primary key. Arkansas most definitely achieved the key of running the ball.
Grade – A+
Defense Improvement
The Razorbacks have not been good defensively this season, even with Bumper Pool tackling his way into the record books, it’s been a rough season. They rank 120th nationally after seven games giving up a total of 3200 yards. Offenses currently average 457 yards per game and roughly 6 yards per play against the Hogs. This trend still started to flatten out this week. Led by safety Hudson Clark, the defense played much better this week. After giving up 417 yards through the first three quarters, they would hold the Cougars to 54 in the 4th.
Clark led the way with 11 tackles and one interception in the game. Some questioned the decision to move Clark to safety after Jalen Catalon’s injury. After Clark’s recent performance, it seems this was an intelligent decision by this staff. After losing three straight, this game was vital for Arkansas. The Hogs performed better in what was the most difficult of the keys to victory. This was a challenge the Hogs had never faced, and they achieved the goal of playing better. It wasn’t pretty, but it was more effective.
Grade – C+
Arkansas passed their challenge against BYU with the win combined with their play. The challenge of traveling to an environment that is not easy to play in against a team you have never faced isn’t easy. Arkansas got a much-needed win after three consecutive losses with the three above keys. In the upcoming weeks, the Hogs will face more difficult foes in a brutal schedule. How will the Hogs fare? Can the Pittman effect keep the momentum going?
