LITTLE ROCK — Some of the initial shock and disappointment with the Arkansas Razorbacks’ defense has worn off.
Most of the Razorbacks Nation would rather think about the offense’s seven touchdowns and 49 points Saturday night, but that’s not a bad thing.
No doubt, though, defensive coordinator Paul Haynes saw some areas that need to be addressed, especially in the pass defense, which gave up 227 yards.
It was hard to believe Jacksonville State’s receivers were so wide open most of the night.
Plus they converted eight third downs and had 19 first downs, and that doesn’t include one by penalty.
However, the Gamecocks had 15 possessions and 253 of their yards came on fourdrives. On their second possession, they drove 83 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, they drove 75 yards in 10 plays for another touchdown. In the second half, they had drives of 43 and 52 yards but turned the ball over on downs both times.
One touchdown came after a fumble and a 35-yard drive, and the only score they had in the second half, a field goal, came after a shanked punt that gave them the ball at the Razorbacks’ 32.
Anyone vaguely familiar with Jacksonville State Coach Jack Crowe knew he was going to score a couple of touchdowns.
Crowe has long had the reputation of being creative on offense, and he found seams for his receivers under the coverage early and still challenged the corner backs on a fairly regular basis.
It did seem safety Ross Rasner, who led Arkansas with 11 tackles, was caught in deep coverage too often. But that is the scheme and something Haynes might consider tweaking, although Rasner was more effective than a couple of defensive backs, including one who saw very little action after getting burned.
There was a feel-good story Saturday night for the defense in that Jared Greenhad three tackles at defensive end.
Green walked on in 2010 after starring for two years at Mississippi Valley State.
Green, generously listed at 6-0, has busted his tail since arriving at Arkansas and his attitude has always been great. He just wanted a chance to wear the Razorbacks uniform and was willing to sacrifice for this opportunity. His dad, Michael, is the girls basketball coach at Little Rock Central.
Obviously the biggest plus of the night was the play of the offense, which had 564 total yards. That included 400 through the air as Tyler Wilson and Brandon Allen teamed up to complete 23 of 34 passes to nine receivers.
The feel-good play on offense, though, was that of Brandon Mitchell, the former quarterback turned receiver, who had four catches for 122 yards, and two of the catches were big-time.
Mitchell is an outstanding athlete who helped the basketball team last season, and probably will again. In fact, he was offered a basketball scholarship by LSU when he was in high school.
He has tight end size at 6-4, 230 pounds, with more speed and great hands.
Overall, the offense was about what was expected and the defense was a little disappointing, but it was just the first game.
Under Bobby Petrino, Arkansas’ teams showed progress during the season. Alabama has done the same thing under Nick Saban, although after the way Alabama named its score against Michigan on Saturday, it is scary to think the Crimson Tide could be better.
There is reason to believe there will be improvement this week when the Razorbacks face Louisiana-Monroe.
On both sides of the ball.
There is no way Wilson, who was sacked just once Saturday, will have the same amount of time to throw as the competition improves, but he knows that and so does John L. Smith.
Scoring points isn’t going to be a problem, but outscoring everyone will be. So expect a lot of attention on defense in practice this week.
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/05/2012