Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

ULM 34, Arkansas 31, OT

Why Arkansas Lost
Take your pick of places to point the finger of blame. Defensive breakdowns. Poor play calling. Injuries to key players, including quarterback Tyler Wilson. Ultimately it boiled down to the No. 8 Razorbacks not being able to stop the Warhawks, who outgained Arkansas 550-377. Arkansas blew a 28-7 lead in suffering arguably the worst loss in program history. ULM converted six of seven fourth-down attempts, including on the game-winning, 16-yard run by quarterback Kolton Browning in overtime.

Turning Point
Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson left the game with an unspecified injury just before halftime, leaving the offense in the hands of redshirt freshman Brandon Allen. ULM geared its defense to stop the run, daring Allen to pass in the second half, and the Razorbacks failed to consistently move the football. Unable to get enough push up front to run on the Warhawks, Arkansas ran for just 23 yards in the second half as Allen completed 6 of 20 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown with one interception.

Player Of The Game
ULM quarterback Kolton Browning compiled 481 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, none bigger than his game-winner in overtime. Browning was flushed out of the pocket and he tucked and ran 16 yards for a score that provided the Warhawks with the school's biggest ever victory.

Playing Hurt
Arkansas lost three starters in Saturday’s defeat.

Quarterback Tyler Wilson and cornerback Tevin Mitchel both suffered what were described as injuries “above the shoulder.” Fullback Kody Walker left the field with an air cast on his left leg.

CBS Sports Network reported Wilson is out “3-4 weeks” with a broken collarbone, but later ran a correction on that report and had no other details on the injury.

Mitchel and Walker were both carted off by medical personnel. Mitchel appeared to be unconscious after colliding with teammate Alonzo Highsmith, but was “responsive” after he was taken to the hospital.

One That Got Away
It was bad enough to watch as the Razorbacks defense surrendered 34 points and 550 yards. But it had to be even more frustrating watching Arkansas native Mitch Lane turn in the best defensive performance of the night for the Warhawks.

Lane, a junior safety from Pine Bluff and who played his high school football a Watson Chapel, led ULM with nine tackles. Plus he had a pair of pass breakups, both coming on attempts from Allen to Cobi Hamilton in overtime.

Strong Start
Brandon Allen’s night got off to a strong start.

Stepping in for Wilson, Allen's first drive of the game resulted in a 13-yard scoring completion to freshman Mekale McKay. Allen also had passes of 17 yards (Cobi Hamilton) and Chris Gragg (30) on the drive, going 2-for-3 for 60 yards and a touchdown.