Game Blog: Eastern Michigan vs. Arkansas
October 31st, 2009
Check out the comments section for game coverage.
I’m live here in the press box at Razorback Stadium. Happy Halloween!
Sorry we’re a little late today. Today has been a bit hectic.
Keep it here for further updates throughout the game.
ARKANSAS 7,
EASTERN MICHIGAN 0
FIRST QUARTER
Well, this one looks easy. Knile Davis has a 36-yard touchdown run, and has led the Hogs to more running yards than passing yards after their first drive of the night.
There's 10:42 remaining. Let's see how this E. Michigan offense looks.
ARKANSAS 14,
EASTERN MICHIGAN 0
FIRST QUARTER
Joe Adams, his first game back since suffering a mild stroke three weeks ago, just had the catch of the game so far. He had a 21-yard reception, gaining 12 of those yards after contact, had his facemask pulled and also took a slight helmet-to-helmet hit.
Two plays later, Broderick Green added the second rushing touchdown of the night for the Hogs with a 2-yard run.
It's amazing to see Joe Adams back on the field and, not only that, excelling and taking some punishment.
ARKANSAS 28,
EASTERN MICHIGAN 0
SECOND QUARTER
Well, if just seeing Joe Adams on the field wasn't enough, or coming down with a 21-yard reception and 12 yards after the catch, the sophomore just had a 10-yard touchdown catch from Ryan Mallett to put the Hogs up 28-0 with 12:21 remaining in the first half.
Linebacker Freddy Burton got the Hogs up 21-0 with a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown earlier in the first quarter.
Eastern Michigan, folks, is not very good. The Eagles are getting run over by Arkansas' offensive line. Meanwhile, the quarterbacks have combined for minus-5 passing yards so far and has 19 total yards of offense compared to the Razorbacks' 176 yards.
By the way, the wave started rounding the stadium at the start of the second quarter. The fans realize this game is pretty much over.
What are your thoughts so far?
ARKANSAS 28,
EASTERN MICHIGAN 0
SECOND QUARTER
Well, the Hogs had completed 13 straight passes but Tyler Wilson came up with the first incompletion when he attempted to find tight end D.J. Williams streaking to the corner of the end zone. Wilson's pass was just out of reach for Williams. Wilson went to him again on a similar play, but again over threw the tight end.
For now, Williams, who hadn't had a catch in three weeks prior to tonight, will have to settle with one catch for 3 yards.
ARKANSAS 42,
EASTERN MICHIGAN 0
HALFTIME
Ryan Mallett is still perfect through the air, and Joe Adams might be having a career night just three weeks removed from suffering a mild stroke.
The Razorbacks had one-play touchdown drives on back-to-back possessions to go up 42-0. The scoring was capped by Mallett's 78-yard touchdown toss to Adams.
Mallett is 10 of 10 through the air for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns. Adams has three receptions for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Broderick Green busted through the Arkansas offensive line for a 99-yard touchdown run, breaking one tackle near the sideline before crossing the goal line.
Green is only the second Razorback to have a run of 90 yards or longer. Billy Moore had a 90-yard scamper against Tulsa in 1962.
Here are some more stats and thoughts here at halftime.
Eastern Michigan has yet to pick up a first down and is 0 of 6 on third down conversions. Arkansas is 2 of 4 on third downs.
The Razorbacks have piled up 390 yards of offense to Eastern Michigan's 39 yards. Arkansas has 194 rushing yards on 14 carries, highlighted by Broderick Green's 99-yard touchdown run that put the Hogs ahead 35-0. Green has carried the ball six times for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Eagles have completed just two passes.
Alex Gillett leads the Eagles' two-quarterback attack completing 1 of 3 passes for 8 yards. Kyle McMahon has thrown a touchdown, but to the wrong team and is 1-of-3 passing for minus-5 yards.
FYI, Bobby Petrino has never reached the 50-point mark while at Arkansas. It looks like he may reach that tonight.
Not a bad night for Ryan Mallett on his perfect night so far, especially after completing just 39 percent of his passes in the last two games. Mallett has completed all 10 of his pass attempts for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns, both to Joe Adams.
ARKANSAS 49,
E. MICHIGAN 6
THIRD QUARTER
Well, Eastern Michigan picked up its first, first down of the night with a 24-yard throw and catch and Ben Thayer later gave the Eagles their first score of the night on an 8-yard catch from Kyle McMahon with 9:30 remaining in the third quarter.
There's about as many people left in the stands as there were here for the Red-White game in the spring.
ARKANSAS 56,
E. MICHIGAN 20
THIRD QUARTER
The biggest news in this one is that Ryan Mallett is still in the game, and that Arkansas' backups in the secondary are giving up touchdowns.
Mallett led Arkansas down the field on its last touchdown drive, completing a 55-yard throw to Cobi Hamilton which helped set up a 4-yard touchdown run for Knile Davis.
Mallett is 12-of-14 passing for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns.
where is the defense the spread is 38.
ARKANSAS 63,
E. MICHIGAN 20
FOURTH QUARTER
Ryan Malett was in the game all the way until there were 18 seconds remaining in the third quarter, leading Arkansas to another touchdown with an 18-yard toss to senior receiver Lucas Miller, who has my vote for the Crip Hall Award.
Mallett is now benched, though. Looks like he'll finish the night completing 14 of 16 passes for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. As I said earlier, that's quite a bit better than the completion percentage (39 percent) he had the last two weeks.
Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson can't be happy that his defense gave up three passing touchdowns in the third quarter, including a 77-yarder.
I'll have more after the game. I'm about to head down to the sideline for post-game interviews. Keep it here and WholeHogSports.com for more coverage tonight and tomorrow morning.
Thanks for following.
Lets hope this is the medicine we needed. Next week couldn't be bigger and it looks like SC is going to come in with a bad attitude (Tn is jumping on them pretty good so far).
I am very happy with the offense in this win, but the defense still looks shaky to me.
I know they didn't allow a first down in the first half, but some of those long touchdowns in the second half are the same types of touchdowns that have killed us so far this season. The secondary letting men behind the coverage. Tight ends running open down the middle of the field. If Eastern Michigan can complete these these passes, then South Carolina certainly can.
I can only hope that the reserves played defense in the second half, because they were horrendous. 0&7 EM actually outplayed and beat Arkansas in the second half 27-21... pathetic.