FAYETTEVILLE — The old football cliché is that a team typically makes its greatest improvement from Week 1 to Week 2.
Those on the Arkansas offense hope that is the case this weekend. If it actually comes to fruition against South Carolina, there is a good chance the Razorbacks will put up a few big numbers on the scoreboard in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Last Saturday, Arkansas put together a solid showing offensively despite three fumbles, including one that was lost at its own 3-yard line. The Razorbacks’ 31 points were the most scored against a Luke Fickell-coached Cincinnati team in a season opener.
The previous high was 20 by Austin Peay two years ago.
But Arkansas’ leaders know efficiency and execution can be much better in the weeks ahead. Receiver Jadon Haselwood was among those not satisfied with the unit’s overall performance.
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“I feel like we as an offense had a debut, as well, because it’s a lot of new faces,” said Haselwood, an Oklahoma transfer. “I feel like we made kind of a statement. I feel like we’ve got more in the tank.
“We’re going to get better every week.”
The Razorbacks finished the opener with tremendous balance, passing for 223 yards and rushing for 224 behind 117 rushing yards from Raheim Sanders. The 447 total yards were the most by an Arkansas offense in an opener since 2015 against UTEP.
The rushing attack popped prior to halftime (146 yards) while the passing game came alive a bit afterward (145 yards). In the second half, Arkansas averaged only 3.1 yards per rush.
Veteran center Ricky Stromberg is eager to eliminate some miscues that led to stalled drives and six punts against the Bearcats. The Razorbacks had three offensive penalties – holding, false start, holding – totaling 25 yards.
“I think we need to clean up the mistakes on us, the penalties that were killing our drives and going backward,” he said. “We need to clean up the mistakes that hurt us. That’s been our focus this week.”
At quarterback, second-year starter KJ Jefferson was not razor sharp, but accounted for 285 yards of offense and all four of the team’s touchdowns. On passes traveling 1 to 5 yards downfield, he was 10 of 11.
Jefferson finished a middling 6 of 12 on throws 5 to 14 yards downfield and 2 of 3 on deep passes. On the ground, he posted a run grade of 59.0, according to Pro Football Focus. That mark was 86th among FBS quarterbacks.
Haselwood and fellow transfer receiver Matt Landers combined for 6 catches, 85 yards and 1 touchdown in their debuts. Haselwood, who scored on a 19-yard ball from Jefferson in the third quarter, said the offense is pushing to play a perfect game.
“Just being crisp,” he said when asked about offensive points of emphasis this week in practices. “Less (missed assignments), less drops, even though we didn’t have many. Nobody is perfect, but you always want to strive for that. You always want to make goals you know you may not reach.
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“Just keep getting better every week. We have some explosive dudes on that offense with Rocket, Matt Landers, Warren (Thompson), Trey Knox. The O-line is blocking its tail off. We’re all just trying to be a complete offense.”
The Razorbacks on Saturday may have a decent chance to match or exceed last week’s rushing total. South Carolina allowed Georgia State to rush for 200 yards on 40 carries in its opener.
Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer’s pass defense, though, was stout, coming away with an interception in addition to forcing 21 incompletions on 28 other pass attempts.
Haselwood, described by Stromberg as one of the team’s most confident players, is positive the Razorbacks will click in all areas offensively sooner rather than later.
“I feel like I’m actually having fun for the game again and my passion is starting to show again,” he said. “I feel like I’m back. KJ is going to be KJ and be a great player, a great leader and a great quarterback.
“Yeah, the offense is just going to keep rolling.”
Arkansas' total yardage in last 10 season openers
2022 (Cincinnati) — 447 yards
2021 (Rice) — 373 yards
2020 (Georgia) — 280 yards
2019 (Portland State) — 411 yards
2018 (Eastern Illinois) — 433 yards
2017 (Florida A&M) — 415 yards
2016 (Louisiana Tech) — 297 yards
2015 (UTEP) — 490 yards
2014 (Auburn) — 328 yards
2013 (Louisiana-Lafayette) — 522 yards