ARKANSAS AT NO. 20 MISSOURI

Austin steps in, controls huddle

Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen takes a snap during a game against Ole Miss on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas backup quarterback Austin Allen showed no outward signs of being nervous when he came into the Ole Miss game late in the second quarter after a hip injury sidelined starter Brandon Allen.

It was the first SEC game for Austin Allen, a redshirt freshman from Fayetteville and Brandon Allen's younger brother.

"No butterflies at all," Razorbacks junior receiver Keon Hatcher said of Austin Allen's demeanor. "I'm telling you, he stepped into the huddle and was like, 'Hey, let's do this,' and he went out there and handled business."

Arkansas junior tailback Jonathan Williams noticed a difference in Allen.

"Funny thing, he walked into the huddle and he was like, 'C'mon guys! Let's go!' " Williams said. "So that's kind of not like him.

"He's more of a relaxed guy, but you could tell that he's trying to get the confidence of the huddle and that's good. He walked in there, and he wasn't scared. He just did what we do every day, and it was cool to see."

Allen played quarterback on Arkansas' final eight possessions and helped the Razorbacks beat the Rebels 30-0 Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas led 17-0 when he came into the game.

"I thought Austin played a solid ballgame for us," Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. "He did what we needed him to do.

"It was good to see him get some good experience in there against a good opponent."

Allen completed 3 of 5 passes for 65 yards. He completed his first three passes and didn't have an attempt on the final three possessions after the Razorbacks built their lead to 30-0. Two of his possessions included drives of 8 plays for 60 yards and 8 plays for 41 yards.

"I've been in the film room with Brandon and Coach Chaney all week," Austin Allen said. "I went out there prepared, and I felt like I did my job."

Chaney called a pass play on Allen's third snap when Arkansas faced third and 2 at its 46, and Allen hit tight end Hunter Henry for a 4-yard gain and a first down.

"It meant a lot to me that Coach Chaney put the trust in me to have the ball in my hands and make the right decisions," Allen said. "I feel like I can throw the ball with the best of them out there. That's kind of why I'm here, I feel like."

Chaney said he had no problems calling pass plays for Allen.

"You can't just hand it off," Chaney said. "We had a good lead and the defense was playing so well you didn't have to be too radical, but occasionally you had to let them know you would throw the ball, and I had comfort in knowing that Austin knows what the game plan is and where we want to go with the ball."

Brandon Allen was on the sideline in the second half talking to his brother.

"He calmed me down if things weren't going right," Austin Allen said. "He was just like another coach out there for me.

"He was telling me, 'We've got a 20-point lead, the defense is playing well. Check the ball down when it's not there, and a punt's not a bad option for us."

Brandon Allen told his brother not to make the game complicated.

"He said, 'We've been playing football our entire lives, so don't make it too big,' " Austin Allen said. " 'Don't make it bigger than it is. Just out there and do what you can do.' "

Arkansas senior offensive tackle Brey Cook said it was "cool" to see how Austin Allen reacted to replacing his brother.

"Austin came in and filled some big shoes," Cook said. "Brandon's been playing very well, and Austin didn't skip a beat. He came in and led the offense."

Austin Allen said he hopes his brother will be healthy enough to start Arkansas' game Friday at Missouri.

"We'll just wait and see how that plays out with all that as we move through the week," Chaney said.

Chaney said he's confident in Austin Allen if he has to make his first start in an SEC road game.

"I know what Austin can and can't do, and I'll make sure I'm calling plays that I feel like he can be successful," Chaney said. "I think the team thinks Austin can play football. I don't think that's an issue.

"So if that ends up transpiring, we're comfortable. Let's go play."

Sports on 11/24/2014