ARLINGTON, Texas — Arkansas' downfall in Saturday's late-game collapse against Texas A&M was caused by issues that have plagued the team through the first month of the season.
The Razorbacks were penalized 11 times for 93 yards, including twice for false start during crucial moments in the fourth quarter and overtime of the loss to the Aggies. Arkansas was twice flagged for roughing the quarterback and had another penalty for blocking in the back declined at the end of the first half.
"We can't win football games doing that and I think our kids need to hear that," Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. "They need to hear it every day. Unfortunately, you kind of get in that rut where not they're throwing a flat at will on us, and we're the only ones that can change that."
Through four games, the Razorbacks have been penalized 31 times for 239 yards. The penalties cost Arkansas touchdowns in losses to Toledo and Texas Tech, and impeded promising drives against Texas A&M.
"It's hard to win and score points when you aren't clean," Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen said. "We had (four) holding calls that were tough for drives."
In addition to the holds, Arkansas committed five false start penalties against Texas A&M. None were more crucial than Denver Kirkland's movement prior to a fourth down play late in the fourth quarter.
The Razorbacks were lining up to go for it on fourth-and-3 from the Texas A&M 35 with 4:15 remaining. Kirkland's penalty caused Arkansas to punt instead, setting up the Aggies' game-tying drive.
"I felt good about the play that we had called and the execution that we had done," Bielema said of the play Arkansas would have run on fourth down. "It was a play that we had run earlier as well.
"It didn't work out as good as we wanted."
Dan Skipper was also called for a false start before Arkansas' first offensive play in overtime. The Razorbacks gained 11 yards in overtime, but failed to pick up a first down after Texas A&M had scored on its possession.
"If we check the tape today I'm sure it was a lot of different things, but the penalties were just absolutely critical," Bielema said.
Penalties haven't been the only thing ailing the Razorbacks this season. Arkansas' defense has given up 19 plays of at least 20 yards this season, and two more of 19 yards.
Texas A&M hit on six plays of at least 20 yards, including two in crunch time. Kyle Allen's 63-yard pass to Josh Reynolds with less than four minutes remaining in regulation set up the game-tying score and Allen's 20-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk gave the Aggies the lead in overtime.
"It seems they always find that one guy," Bielema said. "That (63-yard pass) stands out and, unfortunately, that is when good teams have to rise to the top have a championship attitude."
Big plays bailed Texas A&M out of bad field position twice in the first half. The Aggies scored on consecutive drives despite starting at their own 3 and 7.
During those possessions, Texas A&M had four consecutive plays of 36, 44, 29 and 57 yards.
The Aggies averaged 8.8 yards per snap against the Razorbacks. Texas A&M had 10 plays of at least 13 yards and won despite having the ball for nearly 19 fewer minutes than Arkansas.
"They did what they do best and we didn't execute," Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis said. "We have to do better."