Ball control

[bulldognation]

Arkansas held the ball for nearly 39 minutes. We only had it for 21.
I've heard a lot of arguments about turnovers, bad timed penalties, goal line stands and last second interceptions, but the ToP statistic just glares at you.

When you put that in perspective, it makes our defensive performance that much more impressive. Those guys were out there for a LONG time and bowed up in the red zone time and again.

Something about this team is far different than the MSU I'm accustomed to seeing.

 

[Captain Jack Bulldog]

I think most Bulldogs knew what was coming. Saddawg tweeted on Saturday about the funky vibe he got from being on campus this weekend, which I took to mean that State fans felt like we would win, but it would have to be a grind-it-out 16 rounder. That's exactly what it turned out to be.

Our D is so used to the up-tempo type stuff we've seen pretty much all year. Arkansas ran the old slow Hawaii offense from Sega College Football 1992 and chewed up clock. Thank goodness we have the 1A'rs and 1B'rs. Was awesome watching our defense dominate in the red zone time and again.

 

[patdog]

That's what Arkansas does. Not counting a couple of kneel-downs to end both halves, we only got the ball 9 times the entire game.

 

[kired]

They may have been on the field for a long time but not many more plays. In 7 games our opponents had averaged 79 plays per game. Arkansas held the ball forever but only ran 82 plays.

For comparison Texas A&M ran 93, Auburn 78, and Kentucky 76 --- mostly no huddle, so you're not getting a break to stand around with hands on your hips.

I think that much difference in time of possession frustrated for our offense more than it wore down our defense. Hard to get in a groove offensively when you stand on the sideline for 10-15 minutes between drives. Also somewhat kills the crowd.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

Bielema coached a terrific game. He doesn't have the talent yet but he gave that team their absolute best chance to win. They just took the air right out of the ball to borrow a phrase from basketball. If he gets a few playmakers, Arkansas is going to be back in a big way. I was impressed with them. That trip to Fayetteville next year will be rough.

Of course we didn't help matters with three turnovers.

 

[patdog]

Of course we didn't help matters with three turnovers.

The Graham fumble on the punt return turned a 24-3 game into a nail-biter. The other 2 hurt, but that one completely changed the game.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

muffing a punt on your own 25 yard line is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Dawgzilla]

I wouldn't say he coached a "terrific" game. They had a great gameplan, and a chance to win, but I questioned just about every 4th down call he made. Not just whether to go for it or punt, but when they did go for it the plays called were terrible. This is, of course, excluding the 4th and 15 pass at the start of their final possession.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

i don't know that i fault them for 4th and goal play call. they run. they should have been able to run and get 2 yards... that's the mindset. could they have done play action, absolutely. if it wasn't hunter in the pattern though, it was likely going to fail.

 

[NTDawg]

Bielema has talent

 

[patdog]

Running up the middle on 4th down on our defense is not a good play call for anyone. It's just not.

 

[coach66]

Totally agree, Arkansas was hoping and playing for that exact scenario and

they got it. They are not far away from being a decent team. I expect them to give Ole Miss problems.