In a game dominated by Arkansas’ defense, quarterback Brandon Allen did more than just enough to guide the Razorbacks’ offense to a Texas Bowl victory.
The redshirt junior completed 12 of 23 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 13 yards on six carries in the 31-7 win over Texas, earning most valuable player honors.
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It was a fitting way for Allen to end a season in which he received a lot of criticism.
“It felt great,” Allen said. “I think from where this team was and some of the things we had to go through, a lot of people can’t say they’ve been through some of the stuff we’ve been through, to have the leadership of our seniors who kind of pulled us out of where we were.”
Allen was also clutch on third downs for the Razorbacks, converting three through the air and three on the ground.
His third-down conversions included an 11-yard pass that set up Adam McFain’s 32-yard field goal, a 10-yard run that set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher, which also came on third down, and a 15-yard pass that led to the game’s final touchdown.
“We weren’t able to get off on third down defensively and that was huge for us,” Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “It extended their time of possession.
“They had the ball for way too long in our eyes and I think there were a few key third downs that we weren’t able to convert on.”
Although his performance was far from perfect, Allen was able to make those key plays with the help of his team.
The offensive line provided great protection, allowing only one sack, while also plowing ahead for a pair of third-and-one conversions on quarterback sneaks.
Several wide receivers, including junior Keon Hatcher and senior Demetrius Wilson, made tough grabs to help Allen’s completion percentage, which hovered around 50 percent throughout the game.
“We knew they had a real solid front four and they got a number one pick, or first round pick at d-tackle,” Allen said. “Just a lot of credit to the offensive line for protecting up and blocking as well as they did.
“Our receivers, all of my passes weren’t the best. Some were off target and we had some great catches, some great plays.”
His two touchdown passes gave him 20 this season, the sixth-most in a single-season in Arkansas history, passing Clint Stoerner’s 1999 total.
They were also his 33rd and 34th career touchdown passes, moving him ahead of current Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and into sixth place on the Razorbacks’ all-time charts.
Another 20-touchdown pass season would give Allen 54 in his career and move him into third in school history.
Ryan Mallett’s 62 career touchdown passes seems too far for Allen to catch, as he would need 29 in his senior season, but a win like the Razorbacks had over Texas could propel him and the rest of the team to a successful 2015 campaign.
“I think this team is definitely ready,” Allen said. “We have high expectations for ourselves as well. It just comes down to us being more clean and being able to capitalize in certain moments of certain games.
“I think (this win) is just going to keep this train kind of rolling.”