HornSports Staff
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in Texas Longhorns Football By Lukus Alderman
OFFENSE
For the first time in what seems like years, Texas faces an offense that runs a traditional slow-down (compared to Big 12 offenses), huddle-up offense that prefers to run the football and only passes when necessary. Much like the Longhorns, Arkansas elects to slow the game down and tries to win by controlling the clock with methodical drives.
The Razorbacks run out of a variety of sets, including: single-back, shotgun with a single-back, and shotgun with an offset RB/FB.
(single-back)
(shotgun, single-back)
(shotgun, offset RB/FB)
While Arkansas won’t be confused with a multiple formation, spread offense, they are efficient when their running game is working. The Razorbacks feature two 1,000 yard rushers in Jonathan Williams (1085 yards. 11 TDs) and Alex Collins (1024 yards, 12 TDs).
The Razorback offense is led by QB Brandon Allen, who is charged with protecting the ball and finding open receivers. Allen isn’t a big threat to run, but he has done a decent job of limiting negative plays and turnovers. When Arkansas passes, they seldom throw down the field, instead opting for short passes within ten yards of the LOS.
Other Notes:
- Arkansas has an average offense that is good at rushing the football (28th – 220.3 ypg) and poor at passing (99th – 190.3 ypg) which equates to 58th nationally in total offense and 48th in scoring (32.0 ppg).
- While QB Brandon Allen does a good job protecting the football (only 5 INT’s), he has a below average completion percentage (56.3%) and only 18 TDs on the season.
- The Razorback offensive line has done an outstanding job in paving the way for the running backs as well as protecting the QB. The Hogs rank 11th in sacks allowed (1.08 sacks allowed per game – 12 total).
- Arkansas ranks 80th in red zone scoring as they’ve only converted 41 of 51 opportunities.
DEFENSE
Arkansas runs a basic 4-2-5 defense that features several strong defensive performers in the front 6.
(4-2-5 Defense)
The Razorback defense is led by All-Conference LB Martrell Spaight (123 tackles, 8.5 TFL) and DL Trey Flowers (5 sacks, 13.5 TFL). Arkansas is aggressive defensively, as they like to blitz their LB’s from the edge, and do a lot of pre-snap movement to confuse the offense.
(LB Blitz from the edge)
Other Notes:
- Arkansas has a very efficient defense that is ranked 24th in yards allowed (345.4 ypg) and 15thin points allowed (20.3 ppg).
- While the Razorback defense limits yards and points, they only rank 90th in sacks (1.75 spg – 21 total sacks).
- Teams have been more successful against Arkansas when they pass the ball, as opponents average 221.4 passing yards per game (56th) with 19 total TDs through the air (opposed to 124.0 rushing yards per game with 10 rushing TD’s).
- The Arkansas Red Zone defense has been very effective this year. They limited opponents to scoring on only 22 of 32 attempts, which is 4th nationally.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Arkansas is average in most areas of special teams. After poor performances at the beginning of the year in field goal kicking, the Razorbacks switched kickers. The Hogs chose to go with Adam McFain, who is 6/8 on the year with a long of 49 yards.
Similar to the Longhorns, Arkansas struggled defending kick returns, as they rank 111th in the county, allowing 23.64 yards/return, including one TD. Much like TCU, the Razorbacks limit punt returns, as they only allow 3.0 yards per punt return, but they only average 38.53 yards per punt.
The best unit of Arkansas’ special teams is their kickoff return, which averages 25.32 yards per return, including returning one for a TD.
