Five observations, with film, from Arkansas' 48-22 loss at South Carolina.
Languishing line
David Williams’ first carry back in Williams-Brice Stadium went for a chunk gain of 23 yards on Arkansas’ third offensive snap.
Backup quarterback Cole Kelley picked up 23 more yards on a pair of fourth-quarters runs.
Other than that, Arkansas gained a whopping 50 yards on 29 attempts. Ouch.
After running for more than 200 yards in each of the previous two weeks, the Razorbacks were whipped at the line of scrimmage, struggling to generate a push on short-yardage downs and everything else, for the most part.
For the first time this season, the Hogs switched up its starting offensive line.
They swapped out freshman right guard Ty Clary for senior right tackle Paul Ramirez, with junior right tackle Johnny Gibson sliding to guard in place of Clary. The move came after Clary struggled against New Mexico State and the line with Ramirez played twice as many snaps as that starting unit.
The new-look unit didn’t hold acquit itself spectacularly. The lack of push is concerning, especially given the looming Alabama and Auburn matchups, which feature arguably the two best defensive fronts the Hogs will face this year.
Both are more talented than the Gamecocks, who played in the backfield on a routine basis Saturday.
Here, the Gamecocks blow up left tackle Colton Jackson to thwart a third-and-1 run.
Here, center Frank Ragnow is pushed back and Jackson is unable to hold his block as Devwah Whaley runs east and west to try and find a hole.
Here, tight end Austin Cantrell is beat off the ball, allowing penetration that blows the whole toss play up.
The line issues weren’t limited to the run game…
Beat-up Allen
The SEC Network broadcast flashed a graphic on screen at one point showing Austin Allen had been hit or sacked more than any other Division I quarterback since the start of last season.
About an hour later, Allen was watching the fourth quarter from the sideline, grass stains covering his jersey and helmet nowhere to be found.
Coach Bret Bielema said Allen was pulled from the game by the training staff following the Hogs’ final drive of the third quarter. He wasn’t specific about why the senior quarterback didn’t play late, but trainers were at one point looking at Allen’s throwing shoulder.
Regardless, Saturday marked yet another game Allen took a beating.
On the first, a blitzing Skai Moore beats Whaley to collapse the pocket in what winds up being intentional grounding. On the second, Jackson gets beat inside on a play that resulted in Allen appearing to hurt his shoulder. On the third, Whaley slows the rusher with a cut block, but Allen can’t get rid of it in time to avoid the hit and only narrowly misses throwing an interception.
South Carolina sacked him twice and hurried him seven additional times, a cumulative toll that seemed to weigh on him as the game went on. On some plays when he had protection, the execution was off.
Jones had a step, but Allen has had issues with deep ball accuracy this year.
He finished 12 of 24 for a career-low 84 yards, one touchdown and this pick-six interception.
The right side of the line, guard Johnny Gibson and tackle Paul Ramirez, get pushed about five yards into the backfield, forcing Allen to scramble. But the decision to throw into coverage on the sideline was one you’d expect your fifth-year senior to avoid.
The game was a worse version of the TCU loss, when Arkansas’ receivers failed to generate separation and Allen missed them on some occasions they did. Of course, when you’re getting belted on a regular basis, standing in the pocket and stepping into throws isn’t a cinch.
In addition to the interception, he was stripped on this scoop-and-score after Gibson appeared to fail to pick up a stunt.
Allen established himself as a high-caliber quarterback early last season, but understandably hasn’t been the same since he began taking weekly beatings around the midway point last year. Saturday was more of the same.
Gamecocks find space against Hogs
Rico Dowdle and a date with Arkansas’ run defense apparently was the elixir South Carolina needed.
The Gamecocks entered Saturday ranked 123rd in the nation in rushing offense (84.6 yards per game) and 122nd in yards per attempt (3.04). South Carolina was without three starters, but still flipped the script against Arkansas’ 3-4 defense.
The Gamecocks ran for 159 yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry against the Razorbacks, particularly controlling the line of scrimmage in the second half. Armed with a lead, the Gamecocks ran the ball on 22 of 27 second-half snaps and picking up 4.9 yards per tote.
South Carolina controlled the line of scrimmage with Dowdle, who has struggled with injuries early this season, the beneficiary of some nice holes, particularly on this early second half drive.
Arkansas’ defense wasn’t awful. Remember, the Gamecocks scored three defensive touchdowns. The Razorbacks had their moments at times, but also gave up some big plays, failed to generate much pressure and struggled to consistently stop the ground game in a matchup they should’ve probably owned.
The run defense is better than the unit that was nearly the worst in the nation last season, but the Razorbacks entered the game ranked 11th in the SEC in opponents’ yards per carry (4.43).
The effort in Columbia against a makeshift line was disconcerting.
Bentley targets Curl
Arkansas cornerback Kamren Curl has been solid, doing an admirable job given he is a freshman forced into a starting role by Ryan Pulley’s season-ending injury in the opener.
But Curl is still a freshman, a fact opposing offenses are well aware of. South Carolina went after the Muskogee, Okla., native more than any other team so far this season.
Gamecocks sophomore quarterback Jake Bentley repeatedly targeted Curl all afternoon. Curl recorded a career-high three pass breakups, all in the first half, displaying his length and toughness in one-on-one matchups.
He was also flagged for another iffy pass interference penalty at a key juncture, this time a penalty that moved the ball to the Arkansas 10-yard line with 10 seconds left in the second quarter of a tie game. He recovered, was in great position and broke the pass up. Didn’t look like he got there early, but also didn’t turn his head around. Tough call.
That play set up this incredible touchdown catch by Bryan Edwards with four ticks left, another throw at Curl.
He’s in good position again, but Edwards simply makes a highlight-reel catch. Hat tip to the offense on that one.
Curl cramped up at one point, ostensibly the result of being tested over and over in the first half by South Carolina. He won his fair share of battles and lost a few, too.
The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder has a great frame, good speed and has displayed his physicality and ball skills early this year after being forced into action. Arkansas looks like it has a good one, but Saturday isn’t likely the last time he’s tested like he was in Columbia.
Kelley flashes skills
Let's end on a positive.
It was garbage time. South Carolina backed off the pressure. Allen is the clear-cut starting quarterback.
But Cole Kelley showcased the potential that makes him an promising player for the future.
The redshirt freshman backup quarterback played the final three series, entering with South Carolina up 41-10 and the game out of reach. They were a mixed and exciting bag, the pros and cons of Kelley put on display in the largest real quarterbacking role in a game setting of his young career.
He finished 8 of 13 for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception, along with 23 rushing yards. Arkansas picked up 177 of its 330 yards in the final quarter in a low-pressure atmosphere with the game already decided and the intensity ramped down.
Kelley showed his arm strength by leading two touchdown drives, the second of which he punctuated with a beautiful 38-yard bomb to Jonathan Nance, who at this point must be an elite college fantasy football receiver for anyone who plays that.
Kelley's arm is no joke and he moved well in the pocket.
He tossed an ill-advised pick-six interception in between the two scoring drives.
He also showcased his mobility in a non-Steamboat package setting on a few nifty runs.
Allen is the quarterback if he is healthy, but that may be a legitimate if, especially with the matchups looming the next two weeks. Kelley is young and his inexperience showed on the pick six Saturday, but he also flashed his ability.