Arkansas Report Card vs. Troy University

Quarterbacks — B- Junior Casey Dick didn’t do anything great, but he didn’t do anything too terrible, either. He got off to a good start, completing four of his first six passes for 49 yards.

But he didn’t do much after that, and he nearly had a few passes intercepted. At the same time, Darren McFadden threw a perfect strike to an open Crosby Tuck for a 42-yard touchdown pass that put the game out of reach.



Running Backs — A+

As usual, McFadden and fellow tailback Felix Jones carried the offense. McFadden kicked off his Heisman Trophy campaign by rushing for a team-high 151 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. Jones looked even more dominant at times, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. He broke big runs and finished with 129 yards and one touchdown.



Wide Receivers — C

Arkansas’ wide receivers didn’t get many opportunities to show what they’re capable of doing because of the struggles with the passing game. It didn’t help, though, that senior Robert Johnson dropped a wide-open pass that would have kept a drive alive early in the third quarter. But tight end D.J. Williams made a nice catch, and McFadden and fullback Peyton Hillis turned several short passes into first downs.



Offensive Line — B+

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt admitted that his offensive line must get tougher, but it’s hard to argue with 350 yards rushing. The offensive line wasn’t overpowering at times, but the pass protection was impressive. The Razorbacks gave up just one sack.



Defensive Line — B-

At times, defensive ends Adrian Davis, Chris Wade and Antwain Robinson stood out by applying pressure and batting down footballs. But the Razorbacks didn’t fluster Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook enough in the first half. They made up for it after halftime.



Linebackers — B

Nutt praised middle linebacker Weston Dacus for his ability to make plays and help put pressure on Haugabook. The senior tied for a team-high with seven tackles, and he recorded Arkansas’ only sack. But both Dacus and fellow linebacker Freddie Fairchild came up empty when they tried tackling Troy running back Kenny Cattouse on a screen pass. The play gained 37 yards.



Secondary — C+

It was a tale of two halves for Arkansas’ secondary. In the first half, the Razorbacks committed too many penalties and allowed Haugabook to pass for 173 yards and one touchdown. But the secondary clamped down in the second half, holding Haugabook to only 31 yards passing. Strong safety Matt Hewitt also intercepted a pass.



Special Teams — B

This grade would have been much higher if it weren’t for Michael Smith’s struggles with fielding punts. Felix Jones’ 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown early in the second quarter was a huge momentum swing, and freshman kicker Alex Tejada was exactly what the Razorbacks have been missing. But Smith fumbled two punts in the third quarter alone.



Coaching — B

Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring made only minor adjustments in the second half, but whatever he did — and said — worked. The secondary looked much more focused after halftime, shutting down Troy’s passing game. But the offensive playcalling was predictable at times, and the passing game never got going.