Report Card: Arkansas 63, Eastern Michigan 27

ARKANSAS 63, E. MICHIGAN 27
REPORT CARD
OFFENSE A
HIGHLIGHTS Nothing topped what Joe Adams did. Adams returned from a "mild stroke" to total 109 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns on 3 catches. Besides Adams, Arkansas did exactly what it was supposed to do on offense, piling up 589 yards on the hapless Eagles. It was nice to see the Razorbacks balance out their production, getting 297 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air while running for 292 with 4 touchdowns. Broderick Green and Knile Davis scored two touchdowns each. Green had a school-record 99-yard score, the first 90-plus yard run for the Razorbacks since 1962.
LOWLIGHTS It seemed insane for Ryan Mallett to be in the game during the third quarter. That's until Tyler Wilson got into the game, bobbled a snap and went 5 of 11 for 49 yards and one interception. Either the Razorbacks and coach Bobby Petrino have done a terrible job of developing depth at quarterback or Wilson has regressed. Either way, that's not good for the Razorbacks. It would be nice to see these running backs run this way against SEC competition.
WHAT WE LEARNED Arkansas is in trouble if Mallett gets hurt.

DEFENSE C-
HIGHLIGHTS Eastern Michigan was completely dominated in the first half; Arkansas allowed only 39 yards and 0 points. It took the Eagles until the third quarter to get a first down. Linebacker Freddy Burton made a nice play on his 50-yard interception return for a touchdown with 4:02 left in the first quarter. Wendel Davis had six tackles, including 1.5 for loss in limited action. Not only did highly touted freshman cornerback Darius Winston make an appearance on the field, he was third on the team with four tackles.
LOWLIGHTS Don't be fooled into thinking the Razorbacks were playing primarily with reserves when Eastern Michigan rattled off three third quarter scores. Fifth-year senior and regular starter Matt Harris was on the field when the Eagles scored on a 77-yard pass play. That marked the 11th scoring play of 30 or more yards the Razorbacks have given up this season. Arkansas had a 49-0 lead and then just got sloppy, allowing 309 second-half yards.
WHAT WE LEARNED Disaster is just a play away. It bears repeating: Arkansas has allowed 11 touchdowns of 30 or more yards this year. Until Willy Robinson figures out how to get that fixed, the Razorbacks are never a safe bet to win against good teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS A
HIGHLIGHTS Does it get better than Seth Armbrust scooping up a punt he blocked and taking it in for a touchdown? Beyond Dennis Johnson's electrifying kick returns this season, Armbrust's block and score is the special teams highlight of the year up to this point. Johnson returned three kicks for 129 yards, a modest but effective night.
LOWLIGHTS It would have been nice to see Alex Tejada get more work. Tejada's only attempt was a miss from 50 yards. He needs the work, particularly from beyond 40 yards. Reggie Fish returned two punts a total of 11 yards. This has nothing to do with Fish, but why can't Arkansas find a decent returner there?
WHAT WE LEARNED Special teams touchdowns are possible without Dennis Johson's help.

OVERALL A-
WHAT WE LEARNED Arkansas would be a beast in the MAC. Right now the Razorbacks are a developing mid-level SEC team at best. What's encouraging is that this team is loaded with talented youngsters, who are improving.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
OFFENSE: Thee were plenty of offensive highlights, but the only pick has to be Joe Adams. He finished with 109 yards and 2 touchdowns on 3 catches, which is a nice day at the office, but even more so considering the guy missed three weeks because of a "mild stroke." Damn.
DEFENSE: Nobody stood out all that much. Freddy Burton seems like a solid pick since he returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. Burton ended the night with only one tackle, but his score gave the Razorbacks a 21-0 lead with 4:02 left in the opening half.
SPECIAL TEAMS: How can it not go to Seth Armbrust? Not only did he block a punt, Armbrust recovered it and turned it into a touchdown.