Why Arkansas Won
The Razorbacks' defense turned in another phenomenal effort, holding Texas to 59 yards of total offense, 34 of which came on the Longhorns' final drive. Arkansas recorded three sacks, forced two turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown. Credit the Razorbacks, too, for a solid offensive performance against a defense ranked one of the best nationally entering the game.
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Why Texas Lost
The offense, or lack thereof, that plagued the Longhorns throughout the season was no match for the Razorbacks. Texas' offensive line struggled to protect Tyrone Swoopes or the team's running backs, and the Longhorns' receivers couldn't get open.
Offensive Player of the Game
Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen came through with big plays when the Razorbacks needed them. He helped the Razorbacks convert 9 of 16 third downs (a kneel-down at the end of the game counted for a 17th attempt), rushing for first downs three times. Allen also passed for 160 yards and two touchdowns, earning the game's most valuable player trophy.
Defensive Players of the Game
It's hard to pinpoint any one individual when the entire unit played so well, but defensive end Trey Flowers and linebacker Martrell Spaight played well in their final career games. Each had five tackles and two tackles for loss. Flowers recorded a sack on the final play of the first half that resulted in a 19-yard loss.
Play of the Game
Taiwan Johnson's fumble recovery in the endzone that gave Arkansas a 17-0 second quarter lead swung momentum. The Longhorns had just forced the Razorbacks to punt after Arkansas had scored a touchdown in its previous possession. But Sam Irwin-Hill's punt was downed by Jeremy Sprinkle at the Texas 3, allowing the Longhorns no room for error. On first down, quarterback Tyrone Swoopes and running back Jonathan Gray botched a handoff exchange and Johnson pounced on the ball for an Arkansas touchdown. The game was never in doubt afterward.
Two-Sided Rivalry?
It's no secret Texas has dominated the series against Arkansas, but the tide has turned somewhat over the last several meetings.
Monday's win improved the Razorbacks to 4-2 in their last six meetings against the Longhorns dating to 1991. Two of Arkansas' wins were convincing ones in bowl games and another snapped a long Texas home winning streak when the Longhorns were ranked No. 5 in the country.
Prior to the current streak, the Razorbacks had only gone 4-2 against Texas one other time in six attempts. That was from 1951-56.
The Longhorns lead the all-time series 56-22.
Unless the teams are to meet again in a bowl beforehand, Arkansas and Texas aren't scheduled to play again until 2021 in Fayetteville.
Bad Run
Arkansas' two bowl wins over Texas have resulted in two of the best defensive performances in program history.
After rushing for minus-27 yards in the 27-6 Cotton Bowl loss to the Razorbacks in 2000, the Longhorns recorded 2 yards rushing in the latest loss.
Texas' 59 yards of total offense were the fewest allowed by Arkansas in a bowl game, eclipsing a record set in the 1965 Cotton Bowl against Nebraska.
Good Run
For a team that has historically struggled in bowl games, Arkansas has had a good run of late in the postseason.
The Razorbacks have won three of their last four bowl games following the Texas Bowl rout. Arkansas defeated East Carolina in the 2010 Liberty Bowl, lost to Ohio State in the 2011 Sugar Bowl and beat Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl.
The program is now 14-23-3 all-time in bowl games.
Arkansas is 6-7-2 in bowl games played in the state of Texas and 2-0 in bowl games played in Houston. The Razorbacks beat Florida in the Bluebonnet Bowl at the AstroDome to end the 1982 season.
Like Old Times
Arkansas played three games in the state of Texas this season against teams from the former Southwest Conference.
The Razorbacks defeated Texas Tech and Texas, and blew a late lead in a loss to Texas A&M. The three games were the most Arkansas had played in the state since leaving the SWC in 1991.
There were 14 games in 2014 between teams who were once members of the SWC.
By the Numbers
71,115 - Attendance at NRG Stadium
59 - Total offense yards for Texas
45 - Margin of victory in two Arkansas bowl wins over Texas
21 - Second quarter points scored by the Razorbacks
6 - Non-offensive touchdowns scored by Arkansas in 2014
5 - 100-yard rushing performances this season by Jonathan Williams
2 - Sam Irwin-Hill punts downed inside the 10-yard line
1 - Arkansas penalty after committing 12 in the regular season finale
0.1 - Average yards per rush for Texas