Arkansas Business

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MIDSEASON REPORT CARD No. 10 ARKANSAS

OFFENSE – B
HIGHLIGHTS: Arkansas leads the SEC in passing (336.83) total (466.17) and scoring (39.17) offense. Impressive numbers, particularly when you consider quarterback Tyler Wilson is just six games into his role as a starter. Wilson, who has shown great toughness, is 135 of 208 for 1,779 yards with 12 touchdowns on 3 interceptions. His A&M outing was superb as he set a school record with 510 yards. Jarius Wright  also enjoyed a record day against the Aggies with 281 yards of 554 total were recorded that day. Wright leads the team with six touchdown catches. Broderick Green has provided scoring punch on the ground with three touchdowns the last two games. Ronnie Wingo and Dennis Johnson each have two receiving touchdowns out of the backfield. Joe Adams has been spectacular at times, especially on his 92-yard touchdown run against Auburn. He’s got touchdowns as a receiver, runner and punt returner. Could a passing TD be next?

LOWLIGHTS: Coaches talked up the offensive line talent in the preseason. Upon further review that was more the staff trying to instill confidence in the unit, rather than an expression of confidence in the group, which includes two new starting tackles. That group has struggled to protect Wilson at times and must get a better push up front to give the running backs room to operate. Wingo and Johnson haven’t quite made us forget about Knile Davis in the backfield. Imagine the points and yardage this offense could put up if defenses had to consistently account for a running game. Greg Childs needs a strong second half after just nine catches for 109 yards with 0 touchdowns. Arkansas could use more  production out of its tight ends.

DEFENSE – C
HIGHLIGHTS: In situations where the defense absolutely, positively had to make plays, the Razorbacks have succeeded. Check the fourth quarter against Texas A&M and post-first quarter against Auburn. Defensive stops helped win those games, even though the offense got much of the credit. Junior college transfer Alonzo Highsmith has been a nice addition at linebacker with 41 tackles (second on team) and a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss. Senior linebacker Jerry Franklin appears poised to lead the team in tackles a fourth consecutive season and currently has 51. Freshman cornerback Tevin Mitchel told coaches in the preseason he planned to start at some point this year. Mitchel got into the lineup because of an injury to Darius Winston, but might not give the spot back easily when Winston is healthy. Safety Tramain Thomas has three interceptions, a team-high and half of the Razorbacks’ total as a team.

LOWLIGHTS: Currently, the Razorbacks rank in the bottom half of the SEC in rushing offense (No. 8), rushing defense (No. 9), pass efficiency defense (No. 7), total defense (No. 9), scoring defense (No. 9), turnover margin (No. 10), sacks (No. 12) and tackles for loss (No. 11). Injuries haven’t helped the defense’s cause, of course. Injured starters, however, are not an excuse for missed tackles. Alignment has been poor and defensive coaches even challenged the unit’s “courage” at points. A fearful defense isn’t a good defense.  Poor and timid tackling — what led to Thomas being benched for stretches — is a big part of why Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn combined to run for 874 yards over three weeks. For all their productivity, Franklin and Highsmith have gotten distracted from their duties at times on plays, according to coaches. Turnovers are becoming more common, but the defense has to generate more.

SPECIAL TEAMS B

HIGHLIGHTS: Teams have their hands full with Adams, Johnson and Marquel Wade in the return game. Adams has a pair of returns for touchdowns and Wade has a kick return score. Johnson hasn’t broken a long one yet, but seems poised for one. Kicker Zach Hocker leads the team in scoring with 47 points (six field goals, 29 extra points) and has 18 touchbacks in kickoff duty. Punter Dylan Breeding has been solid with a 44.9 yards per punt average.

LOWLIGHTS: Poor fielding on punts seems to have the Razorbacks content to catch rather than return them in recent weeks. Hocker has missed two field goals, including one from under 40 yards. Net punting for the team (taking returns allowed into account) needs to improve from 37.53, which ranks ninth in the SEC.

OVERALL – B
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: For all the issues this team seems to have — offensive line, rushing, run defense, etc. — Arkansas is in great shape at the midway point. A 5-1 record seemed to be the most optimistic projection through six games and the Razorbacks have met that despite injuries in all three phases keeping starters out of action for stretches. Improve the run game, give the quarterback more time to throw on offense and keep forcing turnovers on defense and double-digit wins and a BCS Bowl are still in play. Only two Top 15 teams — No. 1 LSU and No. 15 South Carolina — remain on the schedule, meaning a strong finish is a very real possibility. LSU-Arkansas in the regular season finale could again have major postseason significance.

PLAYERS OF THE FIRST HALF
OFFENSE: In his first six starts Tyler Wilson has ranged from steady to superb. He’s completed 65 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Wilson has showed toughness and seems to improve his decision making each week.

DEFENSE: No newcomer on the team has had more impact than linebacker Alonzo Highsmith. The junior college transfer helped shore up a position that was an offseason question mark. His 41 tackles and team-high 7.5 tackles for loss have been big boost on defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS: An increased workload hasn't been too much of an issue for Zach Hocker. While he hasn't been perfect - two misses on field goals and one on extra points - he still provides an option in the red zone if the offense stalls. Hocker leads the team with 47 points and has been solid as the team's option on kickoffs.