The Scarlet Knights were shut out in the first quarter, as penalties killed drives and Kyle Federico missed a field goal, but the offense caught fire after a ballsy decision by Kyle Flood extended a drive. On 4th and 2 on their own 33 yard line, Flood called for a fake punt, and Jeremy Deering took the direct snap as the personal protector and picked up the first down with a 14 yard run. A 24 yard pass from Nova to Tim Wright and an 8 yard run by Deering on a reverse (good things happen when he has the ball, he should really get it more) set up another Federico field goal try. Federico sent the kick through the uprights, but the Hogs jumped offsides, giving Rutgers a first down. On the ensuing play, Gary Nova hooked up with Jawan Jamison on a 10 yard wheel route for a touchdown, getting the Knights on the board for the first time, trailing 10-7.
Nova started to feel it two possessions later, as he hit up Quoron Pratt for two big gains, before connecting with Brandon Coleman on a 19 yard touchdown on a slant and go to give the Scarlet Knights their first lead of the game, 14-10 just before the half. Rutgers wasn't having as much success running the ball as they did earlier in the season, but Nova was starting to find holes in the secondary, and Rutgers felt confident going into the locker room with a four point lead.
After receiving the kick off to open the second half, the Scarlet Knights went on a nice, methodical 10 play scoring drive. Jamison and the offensive line were able to get it going a little bit on the ground, and more key throws from Nova on third down set the Knights up with a first down on Arkansas's 38. On that first down play, Nova had the option of handing the ball off to Jamsison on a power play or throwing to Brandon Coleman on a quick screen, and with the corner playing well off the line, Nova threw it to Coleman. Big #17 made the corner miss and was sprung by a key block from Mark Harrison into the endzone, to put Rutgers up 21-10.
A holding penalty stalled the next drive before it started, but Nova and company kept the foot on the gas petal as the Razorbacks tried to mount a comeback. A 45 yard reception by Pratt and a 13 yard run by Jamison set up another Nova TD pass, this one going to Paul Carrezola on a 2 yard pass out of the backfield, making it 28-13. Tyler Kroft caught a 42 yard play action pass from Nova after the Hogs pulled to with in a score, but Dave Brock once again called three straight run plays in the redzone, despite the fact that Nova had a hot hand and redzone back Savon Huggins was still out. Fedirico then missed a very make-able 32 yard attempt, and the game was starting to feel too close for comfort.
Arkansas missed a 2 point conversion that would have tied the game, and a nice return by Mason Robinson gave the offense good field position. On the second play of the drive, Nova threw his 5th TD pass of the day on a 60 yard fade route to Mark Harrison. Rutgers got the ball back on their own 1 yard line, trying to eat as much of the remaining 6:15 as they could with a 9 point lead and their backs pressed against the goal line. Things almost took a disastrous turn, as Jawan Jamison appeared to be stuffed in the endzone, but another excellent spin moved allowed him to escape the would be safety for a 24 yard gain. They were able to take a chunk of time off the clock, but the Razorbacks were able to make a stop and get the ball back. Arkansas immediately turned the ball back over, and Jamison picked up two first downs to effectively end the game, while also going over 100 yards on the day in the process. Two kneel downs officially sealed the deal.
It was a great day for the offense. Gary Nova looked like he was developing into a solid quarterback after his performance against South Florida, but he took it to a whole nother level in this game. He threw for 397 yards (11.3 per pass attempt) to go along with the 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions,and he was able to spread the wealth, completing at least one pass to eight different receivers. He's finally been able to let loose with the deep balls, and it's paying off. Jamison only averaged 3.6 yards a carry, but he stepped up in the 4th quarter and helped run the clock down. You have to credit Brock for sticking with him to keep balance, when just having Nova throw every play was so tempting. The offensive line had a solid game run blocking, despite a few too many negative plays, and they still have yet to allow a sack this season.*
*They have technically allowed 2 sacks, but they were both credited to the defense on intentional grounding penalties.
It was an odd game for the defense, as they dominated in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but were torn apart in the first and fourth quarters. As I said in the game preview, Arkansas loves to throw the ball deep, and that was troublesome for a Scarlet Knight defense that loves to load the box up to stop the run and blitz. Tyler Wilson threw for 419 yards and 3 scores, while Cobi Hamilton had an SEC record 303 receiving yards on 10 catches, including all 3 of Wilson's TD tosses. That was a bit embarrassing.
The game started well for the defense, as Steve Beauharnais blitzed on the very first play and recorded a sack, but the Hogs completed a 54 yard pass on another jump ball that was caught by a receiver who had two defenders all over him, to set up a field goal that gave The Razorbacks an early 3-0 lead. Arkansas was able to infiltrate Scarlet Knight territory again on the following drive, but they turned it over on downs. Right before the end of the quarter, Wilson connected with Hamilton on a skinny post and Logan Ryan, who had outside leverage, missed the tackle and Hamilton took it to the house for 6 to extend the Razorback lead to 10.
At this point, defensive coordinator Robb Smith seemed to make a major adjustment scheme wise. Rather than their usual 4 man line with heavy blitzing, the Knights went with a three man front and dropped seven or eight defenders into coverage. Lorenzo Waters was also pulled from the game and replaced with better coverage guys, Wayne Warren and Mason Robinson. The Scarlet Knights forced Arkansas to have a 3 and out on all three of their second quarter possessions, and then again on their first possession of the third quarter. With additional men in coverage, Wilson was stifled, and the defensive line was starting to penetrate the backfield against the run, so the Hogs were not able to do a thing.
Hamilton then started to find a little bit of wiggle room, and two moderate receptions set up a field goal, making it 28-13. Arkansas put together their first sustained drive since the opening quarter late in the 3rd, but Ryan was able to intercept Wilson in the endzone, when it appeared that the Razorbacks' receiver gave up on the route, and Rutgers was still up 15 going into the final quarter.
Hamilton further terrorized Rutgers' defense in the 4th, first adding a 10 yard score on a crossing route to pull the Hogs to with in 8, and then by hauling in an 80 yard bomb from Wilson, and the Razorbacks were a successful 2 point conversion away from tying the game. On the PAT, Wayne Warren blitzed and caused an errant pass, making the try unsuccesful, and preserving the slim two point lead. The offense was able to extend the lead to 9 immediately after that, and the defense took over from there to bring the game home. They forced an Arkansas punt with just over 6 minutes left, and Duron Harmon intercepted a pass with three minute left, to put the game away.
Arkansas used a ton of 4 and 5 receiver sets, and this allowed Hamilton, who was lined up in the slot, to constantly have a match up advantage, as he often had a linebacker or safety across from him. He was able to just simply out run them, and Wilson's arm is more than strong enough to get it to him.
It wasn't the typical Rutgers defense domination that we've grown accustomed to over the last 2 seasons, but they stepped it up when they had to and won the game. The defensive line got a solid pass rush through out the day and shut down the run, and despite allowing 400 yard in the air, I actually think the corners did a solid job. Ryan was victimized on Hamilton's first touchdown, but he and Brandon Jones were pretty good overall. The safeties and linebackers struggled big time covering Hamilton, though, and that's why they gave up so many yards.
Kyle Flood had his team well prepared for this game, and John L. Smith did not, and Smith compounded the problem with inefficient time management. Gary Nova had a break out game, and the defense did just enough to earn a victory for the Scarlet Knights, who are now ranked in both the coaches' and AP polls. This win could give the team a major boost of confidence going forward, but they must also remain grounded, as Big East play will kick into full gear after a bye week.
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