FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas linebacker Hayden Henry felt helpless watching the first half of the Razorbacks’ season opener against Rice.
Now in his fifth season after opting to return to school last winter, Henry was serving a half-game suspension for a targeting penalty during Arkansas’ 2020 season finale. A hard-nosed, old-school player, Henry came out of the locker room after halftime with an edge.
“That’s very frustrating,” Henry said. “But it is the rule, so I’ve got to sit out and pay my penalty or whatever. But, you know, I went in the second half and I was a little ticked off, so I thought that kind of fueled me a little bit.”
Henry turned in a solid Game 1, finishing with five tackles, including one for lost yardage on Rice quarterback Luke McCaffrey early in the fourth quarter with the game still in the balance. The Little Rock native was fired up after the play, flexing both arms and yelling as he hovered over the ball carrier.
On his final two tackles of the game, he teamed up with defensive lineman Taurean Carter, who pitched in six tackles in 26 snaps played. But the hit on McCaffrey, which spun the quarterback around and caused him to get to his feet slowly, was a highlight for Henry.
“I don’t know if he was crying,” Henry said with a grin. “I don’t know. I didn’t see tears, but he was definitely hurting. He was in pain, for sure.”
Among Arkansas linebackers who played double-digit snaps, Henry posted the second-best defensive grade in the game, according to Pro Football Focus. He was at his best in run defense.
Over 14 snaps against the run, Henry earned a grade of 89.0. He wasn’t satisfied with his play, though, adding that he could have done multiple things better to help the team.
“I thought I played well. I didn't play the best game I've ever played,” he said. “As far as just being ticked off, I mean, I'm sitting there the whole half, first game of the year, and I'm (on) suspension for a penalty I committed 10 months ago, so it’s a little bit outlandish.
“That was a little bit of pent-up aggression, definitely, in the second half. I thought I played good; didn't play my best game. I thought I tackled well and used my hands good, played physical.”
Bumper Pool, who led Arkansas with 14 tackles and 1.5 for loss in the opener, will be in the same situation Saturday against Texas. Pool was disqualified for targeting in the fourth quarter of the Rice game.
Henry knows Pool is preparing for the Longhorns as if he were starting. As for Henry, neither his previous targeting call nor the rash of similar calls across the country on the first full weekend of college football will impact how he plays.
“Doesn’t slow me down at all,” he said. “I’m going to play my game. I know that Bump went down and I’ve got to step up and play my game. It’s not going to slow me down. I promise you that.”
Linebacker Grant Morgan was also after a targeting call in the first quarter of the season opener. He played six snaps against Rice.
Henry noted Morgan will have some aggression of his own to let out when he takes the field again.
“He is ready to play and he’s been practicing like it,” Henry said. “I am pumped to get to stand by him and go to war with him on Saturday.”