Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Why Arkansas Won
The Razorbacks were expected to dominate the Gamecocks and ultimately the Hogs' offensive firepower was too much for Jacksonville State to handle. The Gamecocks scored enough points to keep the game interesting, including cutting Arkansas’ lead to 35-24 early in the third quarter, but simply couldn’t keep up with the Razorbacks.

Turning Point
It wasn’t until the second quarter when Arkansas finally took the lead for good. The Hogs scored first on a 1-yard run from Kody Walker, but the Gamecocks then scored 14 straight points. Tyler Wilson found tight end Chris Gragg in the back right corner of the end zone with 9:00 left to put Arkansas ahead to stay as the Razorbacks tacked on two more touchdowns for a 35-14 lead.

FIRST TACKLE
Fans were excited to see running back Knile Davis make his return to the field after a year's absence, but few probably expected him to make Arkansas’ first tackle of the season. Arkansas received the opening kickoff and was driving when Wilson was hit and fumbled at the Jacksonville State 27. Gamecocks linebacker Rashad Smith ran 49 yards with the recovery until Davis caught him from behind. The play saved a touchdown and ultimately led to a Jacksonville State field goal attempt blocked by Byran Jones. 

HAMILTON HURT
Senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton was off to a hot start early, catching two passes for 13 yards, but Hamilton was sidelined with what was described as an “injury above the shoulder.” Hamilton did not return, and the media was told afterward only that the injury “is being monitored.” His status for future games is unknown.

GRAGG CAN BRAG
With Hamilton out of the game, Gragg became Wilson’s go-to receiver at tight end when the game was still in question. Gragg caught seven passes, including a 30-yard touchdown pass, for 110 yards.

AS USUAL
Wilson was 19 of 27 for 367 yards and three touchdowns. Even with Hamilton out of the game early, Wilson appeared comfortable throwing deep to Gragg, Brandon Mitchell and Javontee Herndon, who scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 63-yard bomb from Wilson in the third quarter.

NEVER A RECEIVER?
Mitchell’s debut as a receiver should provide plenty of excitement for his future at the position. Mitchell’s first catch was a 34-yard, falling-backward play that set up Ronnie Wingo Jr.’s first touchdown and put the Razorbacks ahead 28-14. Mitchell's second reception was 37 yards down the middle on a post-slant route. Later, the 6-foot-4, part-time UA basketball player and former backup to Wilson turned a basic, 10-yard route over the middle into a 40-yard play by breaking the initial tackle and hitting the sideline, showing some speed.

IT WASN'T THAT BAD
There will surely be lots of talk this week about the Arkansas defense’s spotty performance, but Ross Rasner’s effort should be excepted. The safety/outside linebacker led the team with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. He also forced a fumble and broke up one pass. Rasner's shift to outside linebacker in the second half allowed Rohan Gaines to take over at safety, and Gaines forced Jacksonville State's only turnover. Alonzo Highsmith picked up the fumble for a 6-yard return that ended a JSU threat in the third quarter.

NATE! WAIT
Freshman punt returner Nate Holmes electrified the crowd with what appeared to be a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown. Holmes seemed to break a tackle just after catching the ball and ran from the right sideline to the left pylon. However, a review showed that although Holmes was able to keep his knees from touching the ground when he broke the tackle, his elbow did contact the turf. But Holmes provided a glimpse of the speed and open-field athleticism coaches have raved about throughout fall camp.

ALLEN DEBUTS
Brandon Allen, the redshirt freshman quarterback from Fayetteville, played most of the fourth quarter and completed 4 of 7 passes for 33 yards. His most impressive play was actually a 27-yard run around the left side, showing speed at quarterback Arkansas hasn’t seen in several years.

SPEAKING OUT
“Our expectations are to do better than we did.”
— Arkansas Coach John L. Smith

UP NEXT
The Razorbacks (1-0) head to Little Rock Saturday to take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. The final tune-up for Alabama is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.