Arkansas offense needs consistency across four quarters against Notre Dame
The Arkansas offense has put up some strong numbers through four games this season, but coming out of the locker room with that same consistency has been an issue for the past two weeks.
In both the loss to Ole Miss and Memphis, the Razorbacks put up 28 points in the first half each time. In fact, they’ve scored 28 points in the first half of every game so far this season.
The most recent lapse came last weekend in the Hogs’ 32-31 loss to the Memphis Tigers. Arkansas carried a 28-17 lead into the locker room, but the Tigers outscored the Hogs 15-3 in the second half to take the lead, and later the win.
There are a lot of different factors that go into it, but head coach Sam Pittman said a string of missed assignments in the third quarter against the Tigers caused part of that.
“It just seemed like 15 plays in a row, was just somebody — maybe not in a row — but it was somebody that, whether it be not running the right route, missing a read, or not blocking an end coming underneath,” Pittman said. “It just seemed like that happened to us in that (third) quarter a little bit more than it did in the first.”
Pittman also said part of the problem against Memphis was the inability to run the ball — particularly on first down — that caused problems for the entire offense.
“This past week was because we didn’t run the ball — when we ran the ball well on first down, we kept rolling,” Pittman said. “But we didn’t run the ball as well as normal on first down and then we had a turnover, we had a sack and we had a fumble in the last three. In between all of that, we’re really moving the ball. So obviously that’s two out of three possessions that we had a turnover and the other one we had a sack that we were well in field goal position and we’re 41 out. I don’t think we’re ready for 59 or 60, especially at that point in the game.”
Taylen needs to cut down on the turnovers
Over the first few weeks of the season, redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green looked like a Heisman candidate. Part of that was the level of competition the Hogs played – particularly in the first two contests – but he also wasn’t turning the ball over much.
Green threw two interceptions against Arkansas State, which were his first of the season. He didn’t throw an pick against Ole Miss, but he gave the Rebels several opportunities.
He did that against Memphis, too, but the Tigers were able to capitalize on those, as Green threw two interceptions. One was in the first half and the other was in the second.
The second interception of the day didn’t result in immediate points for the Tigers, but it did squander an opportunity in plus field position. The Hogs were at the Memphis 22-yard line and the offense was rolling.
“One (interception) he went out of the pocket, tried to make a throw, a deep throw, on their sideline,” Pittman said. “That was just ill-advised. It wasn’t there. On the second one down toward our locker room, he just didn’t see the linebacker and threw it right to him.”
Can Hogs have more success against Notre Dame?
On paper, the Fighting Irish are more talented in most position groups on the field. But their defense has surrendered points. The Irish defense is ranked 117th nationally in scoring defense and has given up at least 27 points in each game this year.
Part of that is due to the competition level, as Notre Dame has played two Top 25 teams in Miami and Texas A&M, but quarterbacks have had success against the Irish defense, as it’s ranked No. 130 in passing yards allowed this season.
“They’re good on the D-line, but I think we’ve got good matchups against them,” Pittman said. “I really like their Mike linebacker, Bowen. He can run side to side. We have to get him blocked. I mean, we just have to, because he can run and he’s physical. They’ve run a lot of different coverages. A lot. You know, whether it be 8, 4, 6, and man free. So we have to prepare for all those coverages.”
The Razorbacks haven’t played a staunch defense yet this season, so Notre Dame will be the biggest test they’ve had. But they need the offense to click for all four quarters, or things could go south in a hurry.
Arkansas and Notre Dame will kick off from Razorback Stadium at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The game will air on ABC.
