LITTLE ROCK — As darkness nibbled away at an almost picture-perfect football evening Saturday, it was obvious the Arkansas Razorbacks were in total control of Missouri State, their first opponent of the season.
They were supposed to be in control.
Some media types call teams like Missouri State “rent-a-win games” or “buy a victory.”
Every major program does it, and there is no doubt why the Bears would travel south by bus to take on the Razorbacks, who, before Saturday, were last seen playing Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.
It is the money. They need it, and the Hogs had it.
Yet, these first three games for Bobby Petrino and the Razorbacks may be exactly what they need to start this season.
The Hogs won 51-7, and were so dominant in building a 30-0 halftime lead some folks decided to get an early jump on the traffic.
In this case, you couldn’t blame them.
If they had come to see how Tyler Wilson would handle snaps under center, he did very well.
That had been his weakness after spending five years in a Spread offense in high school and junior high, when he took every snap out of the Shotgun.
He struggled getting out from under center for the first two years of his career at Arkansas, but obviously Garrick McGee and Petrino have taught him well.
He was seamless Saturday, and by the time he was finished for the night — after playing in only four series — he had completed 18 of 24 passes for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions, and everyone was pleased.
Granted, Petrino, with his calibrated eyeball, may not have been hugging thrilled, but he didn’t have any criticism either, other than when Wilson scrambled and was knocked head over heels.
Everyone played very well overall, and Joe Adams was a recruiting highlight video.
Adams committed to Southern Cal coming out of Central Arkansas Christian, then changed his mind because he wanted to play in Petrino’s offense, overcame a stroke and is considered one of the best receivers in the SEC going into his senior season.
His two punt returns for touchdowns — especially the second one that earned him time on ESPN — were enough to make a veteran sports columnist put his pen down and just watch as it unfolded.
Adams made one mistake, fumbling the football, but he more than made up for it with his speed, ability to cut and being able to run with his eyes.
Make no mistake, he got great blocking, and two guys, Ross Rasner and Eric Bennett, had clear and tempting shots at blocks in the back but passed on them.
Special teams coach John L. Smith had to be the happiest guy in the joint.
Since he arrived as an assistant coach, not-so-special teams play has become special teams play.
Without Adams’ touchdowns, the 37-7 score might have concerned some — although one pass coverage breakdown cost the Hogs a shutout — but it shouldn’t.
Petrino never intended to show much of his offense, especially after it was 20-0 in the first quarter.
He intended to play a lot of folks, and he did. Passes were caught by 11 players.
Petrino most likely stepped in and out of that game exactly the way he expected, looking for mental and physical mistakes that can be corrected.
That’s how his teams seem to improve week after week.
Now comes New Mexico, with 15 starters back. It lost its season opener 14-10 to Colorado State.
This is not a trap game. Petrino doesn’t allow those. But there should be more size and speed than the Hogs faced last week.
A little more of a test, and a lot more of a chance to learn and improve.
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/07/2011