Win a fitting farewell for seniors

FAYETTEVILLE - If ever there was a snapshot of the 2011 senior class, it was the group’s final game on campus.

For four (and in some cases, five) years, the now upperclassmen have almost always made the right plays at the right times. In doing so, the group – made up of several in-state recruits – helped the Razorbacks rise to national relevance under head coach Bobby Petrino.

That was the case again Saturday night as No. 8 Arkansas easily disposed of Tennessee 49-7 in the school’s most lopsided win ever over the Volunteers.

Be it Joe Adams’ jaw-dropping punt return, Jarius Wright’s circus reception or Tramain Thomas’ momentum-saving interception, the Razorbacks’ upperclassmen were always at the center of the action.

“This senior class is special to us because it was our first class,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “This was the crew that we said, ‘They’re going to have to win for us. They’re the ones who are going to have to buy into what we’re teaching.’

“They’ve set the standard for our program. They’ve set the standard of how to work and then how to go out and work on game day. We’ll never forget this senior class; they’ve put us on the map for sure.”

VIDEO: Garrick McGee – Tennessee Postgame

Arkansas’ upperclassmen combined to score all seven touchdowns in the Razorbacks’ 42-point win – the program’s second-largest margin of victory in a Southeastern Conference game.

The group isn’t limited to just the 17 fourth- and fifth-year seniors honored prior to the game. Players such as Tyler Wilson, Dennis Johnson and Chris Gragg were part of Petrino’s first signing class, but have another year to play because of redshirt seasons.

“I love playing with this group,” said Wilson, who passed for 224 yards and three touchdowns. “We all came in together and I’m glad to send them out that way.

“It’s fun to see the evolution of the program, to see where we were when we walked in and got beat up that first year.”

VIDEO: Tyler Wilson – Tennessee Postgame

Arkansas (9-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) got big plays out of its older running backs in the win.

Johnson rushed for 97 yards and had 43 yards receiving; Broderick Green had 44 rushing yards and a 9-yard touchdown reception; and De’Anthony Curtis had 59 yards rushing, including a 26-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Junior Ronnie Wingo added 51 yards rushing.

“I thought Tyler did a good job of spreading the ball around to them in the passing game,” McGee said. “Our offensive line did a good job in the run game. It was just a really good performance.”

The Razorbacks had more rushing yards (254) than passing yards (245) while only possessing the ball for 22 minutes, 54 seconds.

“In the first half we didn’t have the ball very much at all and I was a little concerned about that,” Petrino said. “The thing I liked at halftime was we were balanced – 14 passes, 12 runs.

“We had a lot of big plays. I guess you don’t have the ball much when you make big plays.”

VIDEO: Bobby Petrino – Tennessee Postgame

Johnson, who returned to the lineup earlier this year after missing a combined 13 consecutive games, was especially effective against the Volunteers. The Texarkana native had touchdown runs of 71 and 15 yards.

All eyes coming into the game were on Adams and Wright, who were within two and three catches, respectively, of the school’s all-time receptions record.

Wright caught five passes for 94 yards and a touchdown to break Anthony Eubanks’ career record, while Adams tied the mark with two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Wright tied the record on a spectacular 40-yard grab in the second quarter. He caught the ball off no fewer than four bobbles.

While the play was worthy of making a highlight reel, it wasn’t the best of the night. That distinction belonged to Adams, who returned a punt 60 yards for a score and extended Arkansas’ lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter.

Words can’t do the return justice. Adams fielded the ball, ran backward to avoid defenders and eventually weaved through a crowd to proceed upfield. When he did, he found a wall of blockers and few defenders ahead.

WATCH: Joe Adams’ 60-yard punt return TD

Adams broke at least six tackles on the play, which was the fourth punt return touchdown of his career. Three of those returns have come this season, contributing to a NCAA-leading five special teams touchdowns for the Razorbacks.

“That’s one of those where you go, ‘Don’t run backward. Oh, OK, here we go. Oh my gosh; touchdown!’” Petrino said. “It was an amazing play. You saw his athleticism and he’s been making plays like that all year long for us.”

Arkansas took a 21-0 lead on Johnson’s first touchdown run but Tennessee pulled within 21-7 on a Riajon Neal 11-yard run.

The Vols (4-6, 0-6 SEC) threatened to make the game closer at halftime, putting together a long drive just before the intermission. It was ended, however, when Thomas picked off Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley with 32 seconds to play in the half.

“It was a momentum saver,” Petrino said. “That was a huge play for us and helped us going into the locker room.”

Arkansas scored 14 points in each the third and fourth quarters to seal its sixth consecutive win. The Razorbacks stand a good chance to move up in the Bowl Championship Series standings thanks to losses by No. 4 Stanford and No. 5 Boise State on Saturday.

Being in that position is due in large part to a group that took a chance on a new coaching staff a handful of years ago. The results have been nothing short of spectacular.

“I’m very proud of our team,” Petrino said. “I thought we did a good job all week long in our preparation. It was pretty easy for us because we were focusing on the seniors and making sure they won their last game here in Fayetteville.”

You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.