Rapid Reaction: Arkansas survives UAB, 37-27

Arkansas football overcame a dreadful start and held on late for a 37-27 victory over UAB in its home-opener in Fayetteville (Ark.) Saturday. Here is some rapid reaction and instant analysis from the Razorback win:

Razorbacks shorthanded in secondary

Arkansas’ depth was tested in the secondary on Saturday as starting cornerback Jaylon Braxton (knee) and two-deep safety Hudson Clark (back) were inactive.

The Razorbacks started the game with Marquise “Cuddie” Robinson and Jaheim Singletary manning the corners and sophomore TJ Metcalf earning his third consecutive start at safety.

On the other side of the ball, starting center Addison Nichols sustained an ankle injury on the first drive of the game and was replaced by Amaury Wiggins.

Familiar flatness early in Fayetteville

The Razorback defense had pitched shutouts in the first quarter against UAPB and Oklahoma State, but UAB was able to strike first with a methodical drive to open the game that that covered 66 yards over 15 plays spanning 7:27 and resulting in a field goal to give the Blazers an early 3-0 lead.

UAB was the aggressor, winning at the line of scrimmage and breaking multiple tackles on the opening drive that featured 10 rushes at a tick under five yards per carry.

After a big run by Ja’Quinden Jackson to move the sticks on Arkansas’ first offensive possession, Taylen Green was picked off by UAB’s Michael Moore to give the Blazers the football in the red zone.

Two plays later, Kam Shanks got the right edge for a 15-yard touchdown run to put UAB up 10-0 with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Monte Harrison provides jolt, Hogs fail to take advantage.

UAB got too ambitious after building a two-score lead with an onside kick attempt gone wrong that was fielded (ironically) by former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison and returned 16 yards inside the Blazers’ 30-yard-line.

Arkansas got points out of the drive with a 28-yard field goal from Kyle Ramsey, but the drive would have resulted in a touchdown had Green found his target on a number of missed throws to open receivers in the end zone.

Eye-Popping 1st Quarter Stats

• Taylen Green 0/5 with an interception and a QB rating of -40
• UAB out-gained Arkansas 112-36 in yardage and averaged 4.6 yards per carry while bullying the Razorback defensive front
• Blazers led 10-3, marking the first time the Razorbacks have trailed at any point in a first half this season.
• UAB dominated the ball with more than 12 minutes of possession in the first quarter

Hogs still sleepwalking in second quarter…

UAB pushed its lead to 17-3 on the first play of the second quarter with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Zeno to Amare Thomas with Doneiko Slaughter getting beat in coverage.

Arkansas followed up by having to call a timeout after the ensuing kickoff before the first play from scrimmage, much to the dismay of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Razorbacks FINALLY commit to the run

It took one completion in 10 pass attempts and multiple near interceptions for Arkansas to realize it needed to commit to the run.

The Razorbacks rushed nine times for 66 yards on its next drive, capped by a two-yard touchdown by big freshman back Braylen Russell to cut the deficit to 17-10 with just over nine minutes to go until the half.

Green, Jackson and Rodney Hill all got in on the fun in what was Arkansas’ first touchdown drive of the afternoon.

Green found Armstrong for a couple key completions on Arkansas’ next possession, but it was another powerful run by Jackson followed by a QB scramble that tied the game a few minutes later.

Arkansas averaged 7.8 yards per carry and ran for 140 yards in the first half.

Arkansas starts second half better than first

Taylen Green was no more accurate to start the third quarter than he was in the first half, but Arkansas was able to utilize its superior athleticism to matriculate the ball down the field and take its first lead on a 16-yard touchdown run by Ja’Quinden Jackson that put him over the 100-yard mark for the third straight game.

Green made several plays with his legs on the drive, but missed Armstrong on a gimme touchdown pass and sailed Rodney Hill on a dump off that got him hit hard. His first completion of the day to a Razorback not named Andrew Armstrong was an 8-yard pitch and catch to Isaiah Sategna four minutes into the third quarter.

Missed opportunities keeps UAB in it

Arkansas had the opportunity to essentially put the game on ice as Andrew Armstrong continued to bail Green out in the passing game after a video game escape by the quarterback turned into a contested grab by the go-to receiver.

Unfortunately for the Hogs, the drive stalled as E’Marion Harris was bull-rushed into what became the first UAB sack of the game, and lost footing on a route by Tyrone Broden led to the Razorbacks having to settle for a 45-yard field goal attempt that was missed by Kyle Ramsey.

After coming up with a defensive stop, Arkansas quickly moved into UAB territory on the back of more powerful running by Ja’Quinden Jackson, but Green was sacked again, the drive stalled again, but Ramsey redeemed himself from 40 yards out this time to make it 30-20 with 13:31 to play.

Blazers punch back with big score

UAB answered with an impressive 12-play, 83-yard touchdown drive to cut Arkansas’ lead to 30-27 with 6:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Blazers converted a pair of critical fourth downs on the drive and were aided by the Razorback defense looking for the strip, rather than the tackle, on multiple plays, including Dallas Payne’s 21-yard score.

Arkansas survives despite countless self-inflicted wounds

Arkansas iced the game with a scoring drive capped by a Taylen Green touchdown run with 3:36 remaining, but don’t be fooled, UAB ran out of gas the the Razorbacks simply had a couple horses that were too much to handle late.

Green’s legs, Jackson’s burst and Armstrong’s reliable hands all came up big, but the Hogs had a false start to open the drive, a fumble on a pulled handoff at the goal line and a botched snap on Green’s score.

It also didn’t hurt that UAB was hit with a defensive hold and unsportsmanlike conduct on the drive.

Arkansas moves to 2-1 on the year, but this group has A LOT to clean up before opening SEC play on the road at Auburn next weekend.