Who got the start?
Four starting positions for Arkansas’ offense were up for grabs when the depth chart for the Tennessee Tech was released — center, left guard, left tackle, and running back.
The biggest question mark was at running back, where four potential starters were listed. Knile Davis was at running back on the first play from scrimmage, but all four played. Broderick Green got the most carries in the game with nine for 23 yards. Davis was the most productive with 67 yards on six carries.
Travis Swanson got the nod at center; it was Wade Grayson at left guard, and DeMarcus Love at left tackle.
On defense, Alfred Davis got the start at nose guard over Bryan Jones; Jerry Franklin got the nod over Anthony Leon at outside linebacker; and Isaac Madison was the starter over Darius Winston at cornerback.
Three not dressed for game
Razorback defensive tackle Patrick Jones and linebacker Bret Harris were not dressed out for Saturday’s game, apparently as a result of unspecified injuries. Zach Stadther, who started some games last year at defensive tackle, also was not on the field. Stadther has been working with the scout team recently. Stadther was listed as a possible starter on the depth chart.
Largest margin
The 41-point margin of victory against Tennessee Tech Saturday night was the largest since Bobby Petrino became head coach at Arkansas. It also marked the first time in the Petrino era that the opponent did not score a touchdown against the Razorbacks.
Two fumbles mar scoring drive
Two Arkansas running backs put the ball on the turf on Arkansas’ first scoring drive. Knile Davis fumbled and Greg Childs fell on it to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Dennis Johnson lost it, but D.J. Williams fell on it. Johnson scored from the 7 on the next play.
Hocker wins PAT kicking job
Freshman Zach Hocker trotted on the field for the extra point after the Razorbacks’ opening touchdown to end speculation about which of three kickers would be the starter. Hocker kicked true on all six attempts.
Alex Tejada, a three-year starter, freshman Eduardo Camara, and Hocker had been battling for the PAT duties. Tejada kept his job as kickoff specialist.
Hocker’s ‘fg’ ushers team to locker room
There was a hint before the game that Hocker would be the Razorbacks’ placekicker.
Hocker didn’t attempt a field goal Saturday night, but at the end of pregame drills, he split the uprights from almost 35 yards out with teammates surrounding him and screaming to distract him.
Longest TD
Ryan Mallett’s 85-yard second-quarter touchdown pass to Joe Adams was the longest of his career at Arkansas, eclipsing an 83-yarder to Ronnie Wingo against Troy last season. Mallett’s TD pass was the fourth-longest in Razorback history.
Matt Jones holds the record with a 92-yard TD pass to Richard Smith vs. Tennessee in 2002.
It was also the longest of Adams’ career.
Time of possession
Analysts often look at time of possession to determine how teams performed. In the first half of the Arkansas-Tennesse Tech game, each team held the ball for exactly the same amount of time — 15 minutes. Arkansas held a 23-3 lead at the break.
Ten in a row at Razorback Stadium
Satuday’s lopsided victory over Tennessee Tech was the 10th straight non-conference victory at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
If you throw in victories at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, the record is 14 straight.
The last non-conference loss at home was the 50-14 loss to USC in 2006.
Hatless Petrino
Bobby Petrino did not wear a hat Saturday, marking only the second time as coach of the Razorbacks that he shown up without headgear. The other time was inside Cowboys Stadium last season against Texas A&M.
— DENNIS BYRD • ARKANSAS NEWS BUREAU
