Arkansas’ offense ran into the same wall again Saturday, and the problem showed up in the same place it always does: the ground game.
Against No. 20 Utah, the Razorbacks couldn’t get any traction running the football, which made everything else harder.
Once Arkansas fell behind the sticks, Utah was able to crowd KJ Jackson and attack behind an offensive line that couldn’t create much room or protection. When the Hogs tried to run with someone other than Jackson, there was little there to find.
Jackson finished as Arkansas’ top rusher with 34 yards on seven carries. No running back topped seven carries or 25 yards. Sutton Smith managed 13 yards on seven attempts, Braylen Russell had 13 yards on five runs, and Cam Settles led the tailbacks with 25 yards on six carries.
“The offensive line's got to do a better job protecting the quarterback, but the running backs did a poor job as well,” head coach Ryan Silverfield said. “[It] starts, obviously the offensive line didn't do a good enough job, and then they played man coverage the entire game or pressured us with a cover three behind it, and that means there's always going to be an extra hat in the box, and we did a poor job.
“I think if you want teams to stop loading the box, you have to be able to throw the ball effectively. I think our lack of ability to throw the ball at all downfield or even beat man coverage, we're going to struggle to run the football.”
The issues looked familiar. Just like against North Alabama, Arkansas’ line didn’t generate much push, and the backs were left trying to make something out of tight lanes and early contact. There simply wasn’t much space once runners got beyond the line of scrimmage.
“I’m going to take responsibility for my unit,” center Caden Kitler said. “We didn't get hats on hats like we should. Getting two yards a carry is not our standard, not where we want to be.”
That leaves Arkansas with a major problem heading into next week’s matchup with No. 2 Georgia. To have any shot at a monumental upset, the Razorbacks can’t afford to become one-dimensional.
The challenge is steep, too. Georgia’s defense gave up only 10 rushing yards on 32 carries against Tennessee State in its opener and allowed three yards a carry against Western Kentucky on Saturday. The Bulldogs’ physical front could make life miserable for an Arkansas offensive line that has struggled to win at the line of scrimmage, especially with tackle Bryant Williams going down with an injury Saturday.
In Other News...
Arkansas Fans Are Turning This Utah Loss Into A Bigger Fight
The frustration around Arkansass blowout loss to Utah has quickly spilled beyond the scoreboard and into the bigger question of where the program goes next. Around the fan base, the focus has shifted toward athletic director Hunter Yurachek, who has now overseen three football coaching hires and a 37-62 record during his tenure, a run that has only deepened the sense that the program has not found steady footing.
Veteran reporter Mike Irwin has already urged fans who want change to make their voices heard with the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees chairman, underscoring how much heat has built up around Yuracheks role. His future in the job is no sure thing, even with his track record of successful basketball coaching hires, and the fallout from the Utah game has turned into a broader referendum on leadership as much as performance. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas QB Debate Just Got Real At The Worst Time
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Ryan Silverfield said he still needs to study the film before making anything final, but the coach also made it clear Jackson was chosen to start for a reason in the first place. That leaves Arkansas in an awkward spot heading into the next game, with a decision looming at the one position where stability usually matters most and a possible reset now sitting right on the table. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Suddenly Has A QB Problem In Brutal First Half
A rough first half has turned Arkansass opener into a much steeper climb than expected, with Utah taking a 29-3 lead into halftime and the Razorbacks searching for answers on offense. KJ Jackson never found much rhythm against a Utah defense that kept squeezing the field, while Arkansas also bled chances with a missed field goal and a costly miscue that helped the Utes cash in on a two-point conversion.
Devon Dampier was steady for Utah, and the ground game gave the visitors the balance Arkansas could not match. For the Razorbacks, the concern is bigger than the score for one half, because the offense has looked out of sync and the margin for error is already gone. [Read more 🡒]