Keon Hatcher leads Arkansas in receptions and receiving yards, but the Razorbacks' most consistent pass-catchers have been at the tight end position.
During conference play, Hunter Henry and AJ Derby lead the team in receiving yards and one of them has been the leading receiver in the Razorbacks' last four Southeastern Conference games.
In fact, Henry's 110 yards in Arkansas' 17-10 loss to No. 1 Mississippi State were the most by a Razorback in a single game since Cobi Hamilton had 177 yards against Tulsa on Nov. 3, 2012.
"He's just another great example of a very good young player," head coach Bret Bielema said following the loss. "A kid of unbelievable work ethic. A very talented football player. He's starting to look like an SEC football player."
It was also a career-high for Henry, who had 109 yards in Arkansas' loss to Texas A&M last season. The performance came just two weeks after his 92-yard game against No. 10 Georgia.
"Hunter's just a real big weapon for us and is obviously a great tight end," quarterback Brandon Allen said. "He's a mismatch on a lot of their defensive backs."
Henry's 20 receptions and 290 yards against SEC opponents lead the team, while Derby's 15 receptions and 226 yards are third and second on the team, respectively.
While Henry's numbers are slightly better, both tight ends have been the Razorbacks' top downfield threats in conference play. They each have six receptions of 15 yards or more.
The rest of the wide receivers have 14 such receptions combined in nine games this season.
Including nonconference play, the tight ends have accounted for 16 of Arkansas' 42 receptions of 15 yards or more (Derby - 7, Henry - 7, Jeremy Sprinkle - 2).
"(Henry) and Derby and Sprinkle got in there a lot," Bielema said. "Those guys are going to continue to be a monster for us."
Close, but No Cigar
Saturday's 17-10 loss to No. 1 Mississippi State marks the third time Arkansas lost to a top-10 team by a touchdown or less this season.
The Razorbacks also lost to Texas A&M 35-28 in overtime on Sept. 27 and Alabama 14-13 on Oct. 11. The Aggies were ranked No. 6 in the country at the time of the game, while the Crimson Tide were No. 7.
"They expect to win every game we're involved in," Bielema said. "We just at times run out of the wrong horses and don't have enough of what we need to finish these things out."
The Mississippi State game also marked the sixth straight season Arkansas has faced a No. 1 team. The Razorbacks have lost all six, but three were decided by a touchdown or less (23-20 vs. Florida in 2009; 24-20 vs. Alabama in 2010; and 17-10 vs. Mississippi State in 2014).
Down the Stretch
Arkansas has three more opportunities to snap its long SEC losing streak this season and all three opponents could be ranked when they play the Razorbacks.
LSU is No. 14 in the current AP poll and, with a game against No. 4 Alabama looming, the Tigers could reach the top 10 before their matchup with Arkansas on Nov. 15. That would extend Arkansas' record of five straight conference games against top 10 team to six games.
Assuming No. 12 Ole Miss avoids an upset against Presbyterian, the Rebels could also sneak back into the top 10 before their matchup with the Razorbacks on Nov. 22.
It is unlikely Missouri gets into the top 10 before its game against Arkansas on Nov. 28, but with road games against Texas A&M and Tennessee, the Tigers (7-2) could get back into the top 25.
"I can promise you, we'll take a bye week, get a little bit better, get healthy, and nobody will attack these last three games … harder than the Arkansas Razorbacks," Bielema said. "So many good opportunities are in front of us."