By Harry King
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ third-down failures, addressed prior to Ole Miss by offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and after the fact by his brother Bobby, are rooted in first-down fizzles.
The numbers are very revealing.
Thirty-eight times in the four losses vs. Southeastern Conference teams, the Razorbacks have needed at least six yards on third down. Even Peyton Manning can’t negotiate that mountain time after time.
The Razorbacks were in that bind 11 times vs. Alabama, a direct result of seven incomplete passes and one sack on first down. Third-and-six or more came up nine times against Georgia and six of those descended from an incomplete pass on first down.
These are not isolated examples. In the 30-17 loss to Mississippi, Arkansas had third-and-eight or more eight times and the first-down plays included five incomplete passes, two 2-yard gains, and a fumble for minus two.
The degree of difficulty is multiplied when a closer look reveals that Arkansas needed 10 or more yards on 31 of those 38 third downs.
Even a brilliant offensive play caller such as Bobby Petrino is constricted when it comes to sending in a play to make 10. It’s pretty much a pass of some sort or a draw play. He knows that and so does the defense.
With that in mind, the coordinator on the other side can ignore the run, decide whether to blitz or defend, and assign somebody to check on the draw.
Quarterback Ryan Mallett and his receivers are skilled enough that they will convert on occasion. But, consistency is impossible.
Sixteen times on first down vs. the Rebels, the Razorbacks made two yards or less. Dissected, that is eight incomplete passes, two penalties, one sack, three runs of two yards each, and two runs that lost yardage.
Arkansas’ longest run on first down was five yards.
Ole Miss was 9-of-15 on third down, but only 1-of-3 when dealing with third-and-10 or more.
The analysis of Arkansas’ failure to convert on third down is not a condemnation of passing on first down, only a reminder that an incomplete pass is the equivalent of no gain. Mallett and the receivers must do better so that the Razorbacks can avoid third-and-long predicaments.
This week, Arkansas is No. 114 of 120, making good less than 27 percent of the time on third down. The Razorbacks are followed by San Jose State, Washington State, SMU, Syracuse, Kent State, and New Mexico.
The Razorbacks’ numbers will improve this week against winless Eastern Michigan, assuming they need more than two downs against the Eagles. The following week, Arkansas will have numerous third downs vs. South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are fifth in the SEC in scoring defense behind Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU. Those five teams are a combined 32-5. Notably, South Carolina is No. 2 in pass defense behind the Gators.
That is sufficient segue for a fuddy-duddy to point out defense, kicking, and turnovers influenced Alabama 12, Tennessee 10; Florida 29, Mississippi State 19, and LSU 31, Auburn 10.
Leigh Tiffin, the goat against Arkansas a couple of years ago, kicked four field goals and Terrance Cody blocked two attempts by Tennessee. Alabama was home free until Mark Ingram lost a fumble for the first time in his career and the Vols recovered an onside kick.
Mississippi State was only down three when Dan Mullen called for a fake punt from the Bulldogs’ 27. Florida almost broke up the pitch to Robert Elliott and took over at the MSU 22. Six plays later, Florida led by nine. The Bulldogs led 2-1 in interceptions returned for touchdowns.
LSU defenders sacked quarterback Chris Todd four times and held Auburn to a total of 193 yards total offense.
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Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.
