Instant replay

Fit Allen receives no snaps

Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen watches from the sideline during a game against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema said the plan was to get senior quarterback Austin Allen some snaps against Coastal Carolina on Saturday.

It seemed logical considering Allen missed the previous three games because of a right shoulder injury and needed to knock off some rust before the Razorbacks resume SEC play at LSU next week.

But Coastal Carolina didn't cooperate.

Instead of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville winning in blowout fashion, the Razorbacks had to rally to win 39-38 after trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter.

The game's competitiveness meant Allen -- who started 18 consecutive games before being injured at South Carolina on Oct. 7 -- missed his fourth consecutive game while redshirt freshman Cole Kelley took every snap for the fourth game in a row.

Bielema said Allen was 100 percent healthy in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

"So we did intend to get him in there, but obviously just because of the flow of the game," Bielema said of not playing Allen. "We were going to come out in the second half with him, but just with the score and the situation, really felt for Cole's development just to keep staying where it is.

"So he'll be 100 percent next week, which will be exciting for us in our preparation."

Bielema was asked if Kelley or Allen will start at LSU, but didn't want to tip his hand.

"I think the great thing is we've got two guys who have won football games," he said. "And according to the game plan, I'd like to keep that a surprise for Saturday."

Agim ejected

Arkansas sophomore defensive end McTelvin "Sosa" Agim was ejected with 13:48 left in the second quarter for targeting after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Coastal Carolina's 5-9 quarterback Tyler Keane.

"I know the hit came high," Bret Bielema said. "It was a shorter quarterback so Sosa, I don't think .... there's no doubt in my mind Sosa didn't come in there and try to harm him.

"The thing I argued on the sideline was it was bam-bam ... The officials on the field concurred it probably shouldn't have been a roughing [the passer call], but they couldn't take away the fact it went helmet to helmet."

It was the first targeting call against the Razorbacks this season.

Junior Jake Hall and redshirt freshman Briston Guidry played in Agim's place.

Hall started last week at Ole Miss when Agim was held out of the first quarter because Bielema said he was late for a meeting.

After Agim's ejection he had to go to the locker room, but he greeted his teammates as they were coming off the field after the game.

So close

Arkansas missed scoring a touchdown on the last play of the first half by a few inches.

The catch by Jonathan Nance -- off a deflected pass from Cole Kelley -- initially was ruled a 55-yard touchdown.

But after a video review it was ruled Nance's knee hit before he crossed the goal line.

Tight end Jeremy Patton tipped the ball, giving Nance a chance to catch it for what officially was a 54-yard gain.

"I probably should have held onto it for a tick longer, but I didn't want to get sacked," Kelley said. "It was a great tip by Jeremy Patton and a great catch."

Award for Williams

Running back David Williams, a graduate transfer from South Carolina, won the Crip Hall Award as Arkansas' outstanding senior in the homecoming game. Williams had 5 carries for 43 yards and caught 1 pass for 11 yards.

Patton shines

Junior tight end Jeremy Patton -- who got extra snaps after Cheyenne O'Grady suffered what Bret Bielema called a "bruised butt" in the first quarter -- came through with season-highs of three receptions for 49 yards and also caught a two-point pass.

Patton transferred to Arkansas from Arizona Western College and didn't arrive on campus until late July.

"Even though he's a junior by nature, he's been in our program for eight games now," Bielema said. "He also missed almost his entire day Tuesday. Got the flu bug, had a huge temperature, but battled back.

"Especially when C.J. went down, he knew that he had to step up his game a little bit and took over some of C.J.'s reps that we had designated for him.

"A really good player in the making."

Warren catches on

Freshman wide receiver De'Vion Warren, who came into the game leading the SEC in kickoff returns average at 29.2 yards per game, got his first catch of the season for a 5-yard gain in the second quarter,

Warren also had his first carry on a pitch in the third quarter for a 6-yard gain.

Henry homecoming

Former Arkansas All-American tight end Hunter Henry, who played for the Los Angeles Chargers, served as an honorary team captain. The Chargers have an open date this weekend.

Captain Ragnow

Arkansas senior center and co-captain Frank Ragnow, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Auburn two weeks ago, was part of the pregame coin toss.

Ragnow, who underwent surgery this week, wheeled himself to midfield on a medical scooter to join fellow captains Austin Allen, Santos Ramirez and Kevin Richardson.

Same line

Arkansas started the same offensive line in consecutive games for the first time since the first five games.

The line Saturday remained Zach Rogers at center, Hjalte Froholdt at left guard, Colton Jackson at left tackle, Johnny Gibson at right guard and Brian Wallace at right tackle.

Interim victories

Arkansas beat a team with an interim coach for the second consecutive week along with a 38-37 victory at Ole Miss last Saturday.

Matt Luke became the Rebels' interim coach after Hugh Freeze resigned under pressure because of off-the-field issues.

Jamey Chadwell took over as Coastal Carolina's interim coach because Joe Moglia is taking a leave of absence for health reasons.

Flag bearers

Senior linebacker Karl Roesler carried the United States flag and redshirt freshman nose guard Dylan Hays carried the Arkansas flag when the Razorbacks ran onto the field before kickoff.

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Sports on 11/05/2017