Looking back at 5 keys to defeat UAPB

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas opened the season with a 70-0 win over UAPB on Thursday night in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.

The 5 keys to win the game ran here on Thursday. Now after the game here’s a look at how the Razorbacks executed those plans.

What Was Written

Take Control of Game Early

Don’t let UAPB hang around. Take the fight to them early and control the game from the first series. The longer UAPB stays in game the better chance of an upset. When Arkansas played them in 2021 the game was over at the half. Arkansas needs to do the same this year.

What Happened

The Razorbacks executed this to perfection. They led 28-0 after one quarter and 49-0 at intermission. The Hogs had the ball 10 times and scored 10 touchdowns. The defense held UAPB to seven yards rushing and just 130 total offense. The outcome was never in doubt.

What Was Written

Avoid Turnovers

In the last scrimmage, Arkansas had eight interceptions. They can’t turn the ball over like that and beat any team. Turnovers would be a way for UAPB to stay in the game. The Hogs need to stay away from turnovers and penalties.

What Happened

The Razorbacks had no turnovers and finished with only six penalties. Five of those penalties came in the first half. The Hogs played a clean game as far as turnovers.

“Too many penalties on special teams that we have to get better with that, but I thought, it’s hard to shut somebody out,” Coach Sam Pittman said. “I thought our defense did a great job with that.”

What Was Written

Dominate Both Lines

The Hogs should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. That will be a key to dominating the game. Landon Jackson, Cam Ball and the defense needs to force UAPB to play from behind. They have to make life for the UAPB quarterback miserable and force him to make decisions quicker than he wants.

What Happened

Arkansas definitely dominated both lines. UAPB couldn’t muster any running game. The quarterback was under constant pressure when trying to pass. The Hogs got pressure even with the backups.

“Yeah, well you know Quincy Rhodes, we kept him in a little bit more than most of the twos because he was substituting with Landon (Jackson) and we played Landon more than the other guys,” Pittman said. “So we kept him in there. I saw some spark out of him. Keivie (Rose). You hit it. I think JJ Hollingsworth went in there and played well. So we have to continue to develop that depth. I think we had a good head start on that tonight.”

What Was Written

Secondary Not Get Beat Deep

The secondary needs to show the UAPB wide receiver who chose to run his mouth that they aren’t just big, but they are fast and good. Arkansas has a lot of options in the secondary and they can’t afford to get beat deep and give up cheap touchdowns.

What Happened

The Hogs executed this well with one exception. A UAPB wide receiver got behind Jayden Johnson for an apparent touchdown, but the quarterback was out of bounds when he threw it so the play didn’t stand. Other than that the Hogs were very good at this aspect of the game.

What Was Written

Taylen Green Have Big Game

The last time Taylen Green played a game without a protective jersey was against UNLV and he was outstanding. Green dominated UNLV in the championship game of their conference and now needs to do same thing against UAPB. It’s doubtful that Arkansas runs Green that much tonight, but he is a threat that UAPB has to know is there.

What Happened

Green was simply outstanding. He had a great game passing for two touchdowns and then running for another pair. The worst pass he had was on the first play from scrimmage when Hogs tried to hit for the touchdown on deep pass.

“Yeah, we were throwing into a little bit of a wind,” Pittman said. “There was a little bit more wind … Aw, it was 8 miles an hour. But a little bit more wind. He just didn’t throw the ball well on that one. But when I talked to Bobby (Petrino) this morning about the first play, I said … We ran a similar – different protection – but a similar route in the first scrimmage that came wide open to (Isaiah) Sategna on the crossing route. Well (Tyrone) Broden ran by the guy and we thought … well, those were the two, a deep crosser to Sategna and the go route with Broden. And he elected, he should have, he threw it to the right guy, he just under-threw it. I don’t think a whole lot fazes Taylen to be honest with you. I think he’s a grown man in his mind.”