Hogs still dealing with second half woes

Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry reacts to a turnover in the closing minutes of the Razorbacks' 35-24 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

— A new year and new coordinator haven't yet fixed the problems that have long plagued Arkansas' offense.

The Razorbacks have only two field goals to show for their second halves in losses to Toledo and Texas Tech. Arkansas trailed the Rockets by two points at halftime and was tied with the Red Raiders at the intermission.

It isn't for a lack of opportunities that the Razorbacks have been locked out of the end zone after halftime. Arkansas had the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line a combined six times during the final half of the two losses.

Those six trips resulted in two made field goals, a missed field goal, an interception, a turnover on downs and the game clock expiring. The Razorbacks have only four touchdowns to show for 939 yards of total offense combined in the two-game losing streak.

"We've got to score touchdowns, not field goals," tight end Hunter Henry said. "We've got to preach it and remind people that this is the most important place on the field."

Arkansas had touchdowns called back because of penalties in the second half of both games. A holding call on Eric Hawkins nullified a go-ahead punt return touchdown for Jared Cornelius against Toledo, while Henry was called for offensive pass interference on a touchdown that would have pulled the Razorbacks within one score midway through the fourth quarter of the Texas Tech game.

Arkansas wound up not scoring on either of the possessions.

"We're getting down there, but we have to get the personnel and the drive to get in," receivers coach Michael Smith said. "I think it's just bad luck right now, to be honest with you. That's not an excuse. It's our responsibility as coaches to get it done and we have to get it done."

Not scoring in the second half has been a trend that has plagued Bret Bielema throughout his tenure as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas lost a fourth quarter lead in half of its SEC losses last season.

One of those was to this week's opponent, Texas A&M. After a penalty negated a 54-yard run to the 1-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter last season, the Razorbacks never scored again.

The Aggies overcame a 14-point deficit and won 35-28 in overtime. It was the fourth of six blown fourth quarter leads under Bielema.

"That loss still stings in our head," Henry said. "We remember what we did last year and we've got to fix that and finish this year."

The Razorbacks were outscored 81-23 in the fourth quarter of SEC games last season. In those games, quarterback Brandon Allen's completion percentage dropped by 14 percentage points in the final quarter.

Allen has been better statistically in the fourth quarter this year, but still has not been able to come through where it counts the most, on the scoreboard.

The Razorbacks have lost 12 straight games decided by two scores or less.

"I think any time you're the quarterback, you're expected to bring the team from behind," Allen said. "We need offensive plays and if it's late in the game in obvious passing situations, I've got to make the play, step up and make better throws."

Editor's Note: This story originally stated Arkansas had blown fourth quarter leads under Bret Bielema in seven games. It has been corrected.