OXFORD, Miss. — Making his second career start, Brooks Ellis led the Arkansas defense Saturday.
Ellis recorded a team-high 11 tackles, including seven solo, in the Razorbacks' 34-24 loss at Ole Miss. The Fayetteville native, who was offered by the Rebels and several other programs, has 17 tackles in his two starts this year at middle linebacker.
As expected from freshmen, the game didn't come without mistakes for Ellis. He dropped what would have been an interception in the first quarter and was whistled for a questionable block in the back penalty on an Eric Bennett interception in the closing minutes, negating most of a 75-yard return.
Ellis was one of several underclassmen who stood out for Arkansas against the Rebels. Freshmen running backs Alex Collins and Korliss Marshall combined for 89 yards rushing, and sophomore Jonathan Williams led the team with 67 yards.
The trio came up big during Arkansas' first touchdown drive. Marshall had a 30-yard run, Collins a 13-yard run and Williams a 17-yard run before Brandon Allen threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end Hunter Henry.
Henry caught three passes for 26 yards in the loss and sophomore receiver Keon Hatcher continued to emerge as a reliable option with three catches for 58 yards.
Defensively, sophomore DeMarcus Hodge had six tackles and his first sack, and redshirt freshman Darius Philon had five tackles, including two for loss. Freshman cornerback D.J. Dean had a pair of tackles and a pass break-up in extended playing time.