FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas appears destined to go winless in Southeastern Conference play in Chad Morris' inaugural season.
Anything more than a program-worst 2-10 record seems unlikely at this point. Traditionally if you can't beat Vanderbilt, you probably won't beat the other teams in the SEC.
The Razorbacks squandered what was on paper their best chance at a conference win with Saturday's 45-31 loss to the Commodores.
It was a battle of last-place teams in the SEC West and SEC East, and Vanderbilt snapped a four-game conference losing streak by handing Arkansas its eighth consecutive SEC loss. Vanderbilt entered the game as the only other winless SEC team, and had lost 11 of its previous 12 conference games.
The Commodores kept slim bowl hopes alive, while the Razorbacks' bowl hopes officially ended with their seventh loss. Realistically those ended with their first two losses to Colorado State and North Texas.
Vanderbilt led 24-17 going into the fourth quarter, but the Razorbacks weren't really close after halftime. Ty Storey overthrew Jordan Jones on a long pass that could have tied the game late in the third quarter and the Commodores scored 21 of the game's next 28 points, and went ahead by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter with their backup quarterback under center.
The Razorbacks have scored in the final minute of all three losses in Fayetteville this season, softening the appearance of double-digit losses to North Texas, Alabama and Vanderbilt, which would have been by 34, 41 and 21 otherwise.
Once again Arkansas' defense played poorly in an SEC loss. Vanderbilt, which entered the game last in the conference in scoring offense and 11th in total offense, scored on seven of 11 possessions - including each of its final four - and racked up 442 yards, a number stymied somewhat by the fact that the Commodores set up two short fields with turnovers.
The Razorbacks were short-handed without linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who suffered an ankle injury early in the game. That hurt, but likely wasn't the difference. Besides, freshman Bumper Pool made some plays in Greenlaw's absence.
Vanderbilt scored after both turnovers, interceptions thrown by Arkansas quarterback Storey. The turnovers were the sixth and seventh forced by the Commodores in the past three weeks, and increased the Razorbacks' season turnover total to 19, which are most in the SEC.
But even without those 14 points it was obvious that Vanderbilt was the best team on the field. The Commodores gashed Arkansas' run defense for 275 yards on 45 attempts when adjusted for sacks and kneel downs. Vanderbilt had only three run plays that went for lost yardage.
Playing his first game in two weeks, Ke'Shawn Vaughn rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. Vaughn was the Commodores' leading rusher this season, but had only 170 yards in his previous three SEC games against South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Vaughn ripped off a 63-yard touchdown on Vandy's first possession, one of several big plays by the normally low-octane offense. By running so well the Commodores were able to set up several screen plays, such as gains of 23 and 19 to Khari Blasingame on second-half scoring drives. There were a number of other chunk plays throughout the game.
Kyle Shurmur managed the game well, completing 13 of 19 passes. There was only one chance for an Arkansas interception, which was dropped by Ryan Pulley early in the game.
By late in the third quarter it appeared Vanderbilt was one step ahead of whatever defense Arkansas threw its way. The Commodores had second-half drives that covered 57 yards in 14 plays, 76 yards in seven plays and 75 yards in nine plays. Vanderbilt converted four of six third downs after halftime and possessed the ball for more than 21 minutes in the second half.
Arkansas' offense was not sharp at times Saturday, but it still produced at least 31 points for the third consecutive SEC game. The Razorbacks were expected to do well against a Vanderbilt defense that ranks near the bottom of the conference in most statistical categories, especially rush defense.
Rakeem Boyd rushed for 113 yards and Chase Hayden had his best game of the season with 70 yards on five carries, including a 38-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Storey added 32 yards on three designed quarterback keepers.
But Storey was not very effective throwing the ball. He misfired on multiple throws to open receivers and his best success came on short passes to tight ends and running backs, who accounted for 12 of the team's 23 receptions.
Storey's best throw came when the game was in hand, a 40-yard strike to La'Michael Pettway that set up a short touchdown pass to O'Grady with 14 seconds remaining. O'Grady, who led the team with 83 yards on six receptions, was once again the bright spot in the passing game. He has five touchdown receptions in the past four SEC games.
Morris was frustrated after the game and said on multiple occasions that the better team won and Arkansas did not deserve to win. It was a different tone than other losses this season when the first-year coach pointed toward positive steps the team had taken over the week before.
There weren't a lot of positives to take away from this one. Arkansas was soundly beaten by what has more often than not been the SEC's worst team. Not this year.
Now the Razorbacks have two weeks to prepare for the season's final quarter - a home game against LSU and road trips to Mississippi State and Missouri over the span of 13 days. An Arkansas win in any three would be an upset and the highlight of an otherwise forgettable season.