Why Arkansas won
The Razorbacks played efficient football in all three phases. After a pair of non-offensive touchdowns gave Arkansas a first quarter lead, the offense was balanced. The Razorbacks passed for 215 yards and rushed for 212 yards, and scored five offensive touchdowns.
Why Northern Illinois lost
The Huskies made too many mistakes. In addition to the special teams blunder to start the game, NIU committed a turnover that was returned for a touchdown. The Huskies' defense had a tough time getting Arkansas off the field, allowing the Razorbacks to convert 10 of 14 third downs.
Offensive Player of the Game
Brandon Allen had an efficient game, completing 15 of 22 passes for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns. Allen also ran for a 2-yard touchdown on a play-action bootleg in the third quarter. Allen was 3-for-5 on third down passes and converted another third down with a 7-yard run.
Defensive Player of the Game
Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers recorded 9 tackles, including a sack. Flowers forced a fumble that was recovered by Darius Philon and returned for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Play of the Game
Korliss Marshall returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. It was the first career touchdown for Marshall, who had a 100-yard touchdown return called back because of a penalty last season at LSU.
Marshall's return was Arkansas' first for a touchdown since Dennis Johnson returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against South Carolina in 2011. Johnson was also the last player to return an opening kickoff for a score, having done so in the 2009 season opener against Missouri State.
Doing Their Part
Arkansas scored touchdowns on special teams and defense in the first quarter Saturday. Marshall's 97-yard kickoff return was the Razorbacks' first score and Darius Philon scored Arkansas' second touchdown when he returned a fumble 14 yards following a sack by Trey Flowers.
It was the first time since 2009 the Razorbacks have scored touchdowns on special teams and defense in the same game. Freddy Burton returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and Seth Armbrust recovered a blocked punt in the end zone against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 31, 2009.
Arkansas hadn't scored a defensive or special teams touchdown since the 2011 season prior to Saturday.
Injury Report
Linebacker Brooks Ellis left the game in the first quarter after being hit by teammate Martrell Spaight. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said Ellis, who had 4 tackles before the injury, was held out as a precaution and should be in the lineup next week against Texas A&M.
Receiver Demetrius Wilson didn't play after suffering an ankle injury last week against Texas Tech. Bielema said Wilson should be able to play next week.
Streaks End
All good things must come to an end, as was the case for Northern Illinois on Saturday.
The Huskies had streaks snapped of 26 consecutive regular season wins and 17 consecutive road wins. Northern Illinois is the two-time defending MAC champion and has played in two straight Orange Bowl games.
Among the team's road wins during its streak were at Big Ten foes Iowa, Purdue and Northwestern.
NIU fell to 0-2 against Arkansas. The Razorbacks beat the Huskies 30-27 in 1994.
Birthday Boys
Arkansas tight end AJ Derby and offensive tackle Dan Skipper celebrated birthdays Saturday. Derby turned 23-years-old, while Skipper turned 20.
Derby had an 8-yard reception in the first half. Skipper provoked a 15-yard personal foul penalty by NIU in the first quarter.
By the Numbers
67,204 - Attendance at Razorback Stadium
303 - Yards of total offense for NIU, well below its season average of 551 yards per game
174 - Points scored by Arkansas during its three-game win streak
107 - Receiving yards for Keon Hatcher - a career-high
79 - Rushing yards on 15 carries for Alex Collins
71 - Percent of third downs converted by the Razorbacks
34:38 - Time of possession for Arkansas
7 - Rushing touchdowns this season for Jonathan Williams