ARLINGTON, Texas — Arkansas and Texas A&M traded identities in the 12 months between their meetings at AT&T Stadium.
The Razorbacks and Aggies ran contrasting offenses, but it was Texas A&M that displayed the physical nature that has become Arkansas' calling card under Bret Bielema.
The Aggies out-rushed the Razorbacks 366-120 despite running the ball three fewer times in their 45-24 win.
Texas A&M ran the read-option to near perfection. Quarterback Trevor Knight rushed for 157 yards on 10 carries and running back Trayveon Williams rushed 12 times for 153 yards.
Both players had two touchdowns apiece on runs of 42, 48, 33 and 22 yards. The Aggies averaged 9.9 yards per carry and wore down Arkansas at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter - the time when the Razorbacks relish in doing the same to their opponents.
More surprising than Texas A&M's ability to run was its ability to get stops on the defensive end. Nearly half of Arkansas' rushing yards came on a 55-yard run by Rawleigh Williams in the first half. The Razorbacks' other 39 attempts totaled 65 yards.
Texas A&M had 10 tackles for losses and allowed just 3 yards per carry. By comparison, the Razorbacks averaged 5.5 and 6.1 yards per carry in the past two meetings.
Arkansas' inability to run the ball was on display in the red zone, in particular inside the 5. The Razorbacks ran 11 plays from the Texas A&M 1 or 2, but had only a field goal to show for it.
Austin Allen was stuffed on a pair of quarterback keepers from the 1 in the third quarter, causing Arkansas coaches to attempt an unsuccessful end-around from receiver Keon Hatcher on a fourth-and-inches at the goal line.
The Razorbacks also failed to score a touchdown on seven plays inside the Aggies 2 during a penalty-aided drive in the second quarter, and lost a fumble at the goal line during another possession. Arkansas was 4 of 7 in the red zone and failed to score on three drives that reached at least the 9-yard line.
The Razorbacks' offensive line was the weakest position on the field during the preseason and it showed Saturday against an Aggie defensive front with multiple NFL prospects. Three Arkansas starters were making their first career SEC start, and tackle Brian Wallace was making his first start ever.
Arkansas struggled in run blocking and also in pass protection. Allen was only sacked once and hurried three times, but he took several big hits, including one that left him with a deep chest bruise in the second quarter.
Knockdowns aren't an official statistic in college football, but it seems low to estimate Allen was knocked down 10 times. Despite the beating he took, he completed 28 of 42 passes for 371 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving Arkansas a chance into the fourth quarter and earning the respect of fans and players on both sides.
His were the type numbers typical of Texas A&M passers in recent years in this game, and an indication Arkansas has a ways to go to re-establish the physical brand for which it craves.