KEY PERFORMERS
1. Ryan Mallett
It was a record-setting performance for Ryan Mallett Saturday in Arkansas’ season opener against Tennessee Tech.
Mallett’s three touchdown passes in a season opener marked the 17th school record that he shares or owns at Arkansas. The school record for TD passes in a season opener is shared with Matt Jones against Boise State in 2002 and Clint Stoerner against SMU in 1999.
Mallett, who left the game late in the third quarter, was 21-24 for a completion average of .875, his 18th school record. His percentage is the best ever in a season opener for the Razorbacks and ties his own record for best pass completion average in a game. Mallett also was .875 against Eastern Michigan last year on 14 of 16.
The completion average also was the second-best in a season opener in Southeastern Conference history.
2. Ramon Broadway/Jerry Franklin
Cornerback Ramon Broadway and linebacker Jerry Franklin pulled Tennessee Tech running back Jocques Crawford out of bounds short of the goal line for a safety with 13:46 left in the half to put Arkansas up 9-3. The stop came on second down after the Golden Eagles’ quarterback tried to roll right in the end zone to find a receiver.
Broadway was among several red-shirted Razorbacks closing in on Crawford as he tried to get out of the end zone.
It was the Razorbacks’ first safety since the South Carolina game last season.
3. Alex Tejada
Alex Tejada, replaced by freshman Zach Hocker for point-after-touchdown duties, came up big as the kickoff man for the Razorbacks.
Tejada’s first kickoff was run out of the end zone, but a block-in-the-back penalty put Tennessee Tech back on its 1-yard line, leading to the safety. Tejada’s second and third kicks carried into the end zone, both resulting in a touchback.
He started the second half with a kick five yards deep in the end zone. His streak was finally broken after the Razorbacks’ first touchdown of the second half when his kickoff was fielded at the 2. He returned to form on his sixth kickoff of the night.
4. Joe Adams
Wide receiver Joe Adams had two touchdowns, including the longest of his career, an 85-yarder, in the first half. Adams also scored from 15 yards out near the end of the third period.
Adams, a junior, started seven times and played in 10 games a year ago. He’s listed second on the depth chart, behind Greg Childs.
— Dennis Byrd • Arkansas News Bureau
