ARLINGTON, Texas - Want proof there is a real difference in Southeastern Conference speed?
Toss in the game film of Arkansas’ defense Friday night in the Cotton Bowl.
The much-maligned unit was superb in a 29-16 win over Kansas State under the bright lights of Cowboys Stadium. The Razorbacks held the Wildcats to 260 yards of total offense in the first game under the direction of new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes.
Aside from a 60-yard drive to open the second half and a handful of other first downs sprinkled throughout K-State’s nearly-34 minutes of possession, Arkansas preyed and feasted on its Big 12 foe with speed that fails only in comparison to some of its SEC mates.
The Razorbacks’ push on the defensive front was too much for Kansas State to contain. The Wildcats, which averaged 193.7 rushing yards per game during the regular season, finished with only 87 yards on 40 carries against the Razorbacks. Arkansas had finished ninth in the SEC in rush defense.
“We had a good plan,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “Coach Haynes and our defensive staff did a really nice job on the plan. Our players came out and executed well.
“I thought we played very, very fast. Our defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage.”
VIDEOS: Cotton Bowl Postgame
As expected, quarterback Collin Klein was K-State’s best offensive weapon, but he surprised everyone by doing considerably more with his arm (173 passing yards, 1 touchdown) than with his legs (42 yards on 24 carries). Arkansas took away the Wildcats’ option game, repeatedly meeting K-State runners in the backfield.
The Razorbacks (11-2) finished the game with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The sacks were the second-most in the bowl’s history, just behind Arkansas’ eight in the 2000 Cotton Bowl win over Texas.
“I think our guys stepped up to the challenge,” Haynes said. “We challenged them to stop the run. It was a little bit difficult for our ends because they are sack guys, so we had to make sure we got them in position to get those sacks.
“My nerves were going crazy before the game. These guys and coaches have worked so hard, and I really didn’t want to screw it up.”
Arkansas led 3-0 after the first quarter and extended its lead to 10-0 on Joe Adams’ 51-yard punt return touchdown with 14:27 to play before halftime.
Adams, a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile player, went untouched for his fourth return touchdown of the year. The senior was the first player to return a punt for a score in the Cotton Bowl since Arkansas’ Lance Alworth 51 years ago and tied the SEC record for punt return touchdowns in a season.
“It was another one of those where you just go, ‘Wow!’” Petrino said. “It was a great punt and he hit the ball really hard. You could see when he made the catch he had in mind what he was going to do.
“We got some good blocks. Joe showed great acceleration and made another spectacular play for us.”
Another Hocker field goal and a 45-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Wilson to Jarius Wright put the Razorbacks ahead by what appeared to be a comfortable 19-0 margin with 3:47 left before halftime.
Kansas State was able to climb back into the game on the back of its defense and special teams. Nigel Malone returned a blocked Hocker extra point for a score to pull the Wildcats within 19-2.
K-State capitalized on a Wilson fumble at the Arkansas 13 later in the quarter. Klein’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Andre McDonald pulled the Wildcats within 19-9 at the intermission, despite accounting for only 60 yards of total offense in the first half.
“We had four dropped balls, we had two turnovers, we had four penalties – all in the first half,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “We just weren’t ready to play. That’s my responsibility to have our guys ready to play. On that side of the ball, we weren’t.”
It didn’t look as if it would matter early in the second half, however, as Klein led the Wildcats on a 60-yard drive to begin the third quarter. His 6-yard touchdown run with 11:38 left in the third quarter pulled K-State within three, but it could get no closer.
Arkansas, which seemed to sputter its way to 345 yards of offense, scored on a 9-yard pass from Wilson to Cobi Hamilton with 3:57 left in the third and Hocker tacked on his third field goal of the game with 3:30 left in the fourth to cap the scoring.
Wilson, who passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns, earned offensive MVP honors for the game, while Bequette (two sacks) earned the defensive MVP award.
Kansas State had several chances to cut into the lead in the fourth quarter, but Anthony Cantele missed a field goal late in the fourth quarter and Klein threw an interception to seal the loss in the game’s final minute.
Arkansas finished the season with 11 wins for the first time since 1977, tying a school record. The Razorbacks have improved on their win total in each of Petrino’s four seasons at the school and will finish with a top five ranking in the polls.
“It’s an end of one season and start of next season,” Petrino said. “Certainly everyone understands what our goals are. This helps us get started for next year.
“I thought it was a great game for us.”
In addition to its final ranking, the Razorbacks will likely be a top five team to start next year. If Arkansas is to make the next step up the national ladder, it will need its defense to continue its growth.
It will need more performances like the Cotton Bowl.
You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
I think the Hogs have the talent, coaches, and schedule to make a big-time run in 2012. But, the loss of 18 seniors troubles me. Losing guys like Jake Bequette, Jerry Franklin, Jerico Nelson, Tramain Thomas, Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, and Greg Childs, could mean a rebuilding year of sorts, especially on defense and with a new DC.
If Wilson and Knile Davis return (which they should), the Hogs offense shouldn’t miss a beat. In fact, if a few key newcomers can contribute early, next year’s offense could easily be even better than the 2011 version.
But once again, the defense is where the Hogs are lacking. If Paul Haynes can improve that side of the ball, there is no reason what-so-ever why the Arkansas Razorbacks wouldn’t be able to win a national title in the next few years.
Go Hogs!
Arkansas Razorbacks (11-2) – 2012 Cotton Bowl Champions!
It wasn’t pretty, but the defense and rushing the ball late, finished the game. I loved watching us get two or three sacks and an interception to wrap up the year.
11 wins and a top 5 finish (probably)…..There’s only one thing better. We’ll get there soon enough, but man, I’ll take this and be giddy all summer long!!
GO HOGS BABY!!!!
I have to say thats the kind of defense I love to watch! As far as next year watch guys like Chris Smith, Flowers, Highsmith, and Mitchell, make names for theirselves on the D. Our offense will be just as explosive in time next year, if we can get there early enuogh before a loss, then we chase after a Nat. Championship once again. BP has got Arkansas setting top to bottom as a yearly contender in my opinion. I loved this game last night even though I think our offense looked rusty a lot of the time, understandably,but still hasd that exlosive look at times. Man I’m excited about next year, but I’m a little sad about the kids we are losing, kinda like your own kids leaving home or something feeling. Thanks guys, my hopes and prayers are with all you seniors in what ever endevors you pursue! Thanks for the hard work and exciting seasons and getting Arkansas back to where it belongs in the College football World. Luv You Guys! WPS! FOREVER!
Thanks to the seniors for a great run over their college careers. I appreciate all the hard work you put in to get Arkansas to 11 wins and a Top 5 ranking in your senior year.
I was excited to see how well some of the underclassmen played; Chris Smith (except for one stupid penalty), Alonzo Highsmith, and Tevin Mitchell had their coming out parties last night on defense.
I think with the Petrinos and Haynes, Arkansas isn’t going to miss a beat and will be just as good next year, if not better. WPS!!!!
Thank you to the seniors and rest of the players for a rewarding yr. Coach P hats off and a toast!!! Looking forward to Coach Haynes imprinting the “D” with his style. The secondary has got to be more aggressive. Playing 5yds off receivers is inviting trouble. K State did a good job in the secondary. First half was bothersome. We need corners and safeties who are 6ft plus physically. Tackling techniques must be improved in linebacker and secondary. Hogs have alot of upside. Coach P has been adding higher quality recruits each yr. The new facilities coming on line by 2013 will “WOW” recruits.. Special teams was 100% better this yr, punting and kicking as well. Now it’s finishing the year with a solid recruiting class.
Great win. For all the talk about how gruff and off-putting that Petrino is, you can tell that he cares about these kids, specifically Uekman. Mothers should take note: Perrino will develop your son into a man the hard way, but always with love underneath.
Also have to say how impressed I was with Snyder going and checking on each of his injured players. Too many head coaches just use the injury time to plan their next move, but he went and checked on the young men he sold on going to Manhattan Judy as in sure he told their mothers during their recruitment. Classy act.
Snyder is a class act. The only issue on defense was the one drive and the soft coverage in the secondary. Paul Haynes understood this and dialed up the heat. Thank you Coach Haynes! Great win guys! Go Hogs!
The defense looked immeasurably better and the offense was [understandably] a little off in timing, yet got the job done, especially when it mattered the most.
K-State actually scored only 7 points against the Razorback D, but for the blocked extra point and fumble right before half time. In my opinion, the gang tackling was impressive and the basic schemes seemed to be much more fundamentally solid and far less complicated. The energy level was impressive. Kudos to coach Haynes in getting his guys ready to play on a short time table.
Next season will be like most in the rugged SEC: challenging. As usual, the schedule will be difficult, but Bobby Petrino will have the Razorbacks competing to be the best. Caesar’s Palace already has Arkansas as the 5th most likely team to win the National Championship in 2013, though LSU and Alabama placed first and third, respectively. http://beyondthebets.com/2012/01/04/caesars-palace-releases-2013-college-football-bcs-national-championship-futures-odds
Many thanks to a gifted senior class for a very successful run and setting the standard for future teams to strive for and accomplish.
great season, great coach, great kids, GREAT FANS.
watching the defense last night, makes me wonder what would have been if we had changed the defensive coordinator BEFORE the season.
Folks, we have much to look forward to…next up is signing day, then in April we’ll witness NFL draft to see how many of our great seniors get drafted and where they go, then the spring game, then on to a new season. I’ll miss our seniors but just like McFadden, Jones, Hillis, Mallet along with the others..I’ll look forward to watching them on Sunday. I have to say it appear Haynes has made an immediate impact. Big coodos to all the defensive coaches for making the defense the strength of the team for the first time this season. GO HOGS PIGSOOEEE ATW to the National Championship! Bobby may not be the most entertaining public speaker but the man is the best coach in the country and he has the fire of a great competitor. He loves getting the most for his players. He shows them results for their hard work and dedication. What more would a prospective recruit want from a coach?
Will we ever have such a talented and loyal group of players comming out of Arkansas again like this bunch of seniors? I don’t know. But, can only echo my gratitude to this group like all of you just have. I am proud of them all from the least to the best.
Thank you and take what you have learned and done here throuhgout your life. It will serve you all well.
RAZORBACK RODGER,what this group of Seniors has done is great,but this group of Seniors is going to help the Hogs in Recruiting,every QB and Wide Receiver in the Country are now paying attention to the Hogs,and with a new Defensive Sheriff in town,the Hogs will recruit their share of Top D ball players.