Kenny Hill kept the door open and Austin Allen kicked it in.
Hill, the hyped TCU quarterback, orchestrated a magnificent second-half comeback against Arkansas last season, and his 5-yard touchdown run gave the Horned Frogs a 28-20 lead with 2:05 left in the game.
However, Hill made a major mistake which played a part in costing his team the win. The player whose erratic off-the-field behavior led to his transfer from Texas A&M, celebrated the touchdown with a throat slash sign. The obscene gesture is a universally punishable offense in every sport at any level these days and officials quickly flagged Hill for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty was assessed on the kickoff. That set up a long return by Dominique Reed.
Arkansas went into hurry-up mode and Allen, in just his second career collegiate start, engineered a drive that began a memorable string of events of historic proportions. Arkansas covered the 58 yards in four plays in just over a minute. Still, the Hogs needed a 2-point conversion, so they turned to their budding star.
Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos dug deep into the playbook and had Allen hand to receiver Drew Morgan on what looked to be an end around. Instead, Morgan flipped the ball to Keon Hatcher who threw a perfect strike to Allen for the two points.
That was memorable play No. 1. No. 2 came after TCU’s Vontae Turpin returned the ensuing kickoff 64 yards. An illegal touching penalty negated a 27-yard gain but it looked like Hill did enough to make up for his mistake by scrambling for 16 yards on two plays leading to a chip shot field goal. That set up 6-foot-10 offensive lineman Dan Skipper’s blocked field goal to force the game into overtime.
Now, essentially each quarterback was on an equal footing and most likely whoever played the best in this sequence was going to win the game for his respective team. On Arkansas’ first drive Allen finished the drive with a touchdown pass. Hill answered with one of his own.
However, during TCU’s next possession Hill and TCU faltered against Arkansas’ hap-hazard defense and had to settle for a field goal. Allen took advantage of the opportunity and scored on a five-yard run. Ballgame. Arkansas 41, TCU 38.
That was the Allen coming out party. Allen was 17 of 29 for 223 yards and three touchdowns and the rushing score. Hill finished 36 of 56 for 377 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 93 yards and two scores. If only he had been composed enough to hand the ball to the official. The kickoff being moved back paved the way for Reed’s long return.
Allen showed even though he was inexperience he was more poised. His execution on the final drive in regulation and the trick play was phenomenal. He was again cooler under pressure during the overtime.
Allen went on to pass for 3,430 Yards and 25 TDs, which ranks No. 5 in UA history. Allen passed 146 times before he was intercepted which ranks second in school history. He engineered wins against three top 15 teams in his debut season.
Hill completed 269 of 440 passes for 3,208 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ran for 609 yards, which was best for Big 12 QBs. Hill’s 3,817 yards of total offense is good for third all-time in TCU history.
While both teams went on to mediocre seasons, Allen played a tougher schedule and therefore made more of a splash.
The two signal callers will be on center stage on Saturday in a game that could go down to the wire again. TCU Coach Gary Patterson would hope that Hill learned from his mistakes last year. That he won’t lose his poise and that he will make more plays down the stretch. However, he won’t outplay Allen. Allen’s presence and the game being played in Fayetteville makes me think Arkansas will win.
Allen was the more prepared players last year, and he is twice as good as he was the second game of 2016.
Neither team’s defense is threatening. The Hogs made enough plays defensively last year to slow TCU down when they needed to. Hill may not react well to the new 3-4 scheme with more team speed on the field.
Both players will have a chance to orchestrate a win late in the game as I see another high-scoring nail biter. Allen will get it done again and show he is one of the top quarterbacks in the country.