By Scott Faldon
Times Record • sfaldon@swtimes.com
FAYETTEVILLE — In 2009, the Arkansas defense surrendered more than 60 plays of 20 yards or more.
Early in the 44-3 win against Tennessee Tech at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Arkansas fans were probably worried about the trend continuing.
After the Razorbacks’ initial drive stalled, Golden Eagles’ quarterback Tre Lamb dodged two would-be tacklers and lofted a 39-yard completion to Henry Sailes to the Arkansas 1.
But after giving up yet another long play, the Arkansas defense clamped down. After two runs that failed to move the ball, Anthony Leon sacked the Tennessee Tech quarterback for a nine-yard loss on third down. The Golden Eagles kicked a field goal for an early 3-0, but the Arkansas defense had set the tone with the goal line stand.
“I really liked what our defense did,” Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said after the game. “I thought our defense was out there flying around. Our defensive line did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage.
“I thought our guys did a good job inside pushing them back. Basically, what we did was beat them off the ball.”
The Razorback defense posted a three-and-out on Tennessee Tech’s next possession. The next time the Golden Eagles had the ball, Arkansas’ defense got on the scoreboard. On second-and-nine from the Tennessee Tech 3, Jocques Crawford ran right, was bumped by a lineman blocked into the backfield and then was swarmed by several Razorbacks while still in the end zone. Jerry Franklin and Ramon Broadway combined to drag Crawford down for the safety.
Of Tennessee Tech’s 12 possessions, five ended without the Golden Eagles earning a first down.
Arkansas also held an opponent without a touchdown for the first time in Petrino’s tenure.
“Obviously, we haven’t had something like this for three years,” Willy Robinson, the taciturn defensive coordinator, said of the defense. “I think we have experience. I think we have a maturity about us and I think they have a great understanding of what we want to get done.”
Leading up to the game, Robinson was miffed by a reporter who referred to Saturday’s game as a “tune-up game.” Robinson said the coaching staff stressed to the team that wasn’t the case.
“Going into the game those kids had to remind themselves, and we told them,” Robinson said, “that this team we’re playing — regardless of what the media thought as far as it being a tune-up game — they just knew those kids and those coaches worked just as hard, probably not as hard as we do, but they did work hard to come into this game and gave it a great it a great attempt to win.”
Midway through the preseason practices, Anthony Leon was moved from safety to linebacker. The move paid off Saturday as the senior posted a team-high eight tackles — four behind the line of scrimmage — and both of the Razorbacks’ sacks.
“His speed and ability showed up at linebacker,” Petrino said. “I wasn’t surprised. The minute he stepped into that position it was like ‘ooh, wow.’ This guy has great instincts, he’s tough (and) he comes on and takes on blocks.”
Jerry Franklin was also moved, as the junior shifted from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker. Franklin and sophomore linebacker Ross Rasner each finished with seven tackles, two each behind the line.
“They were able to pin their ears back in the second half for sure,” Tennessee Tech quarterback Tre Lamb said. “I felt a lot more pressure in the second half than the first half, and that all comes from down and distance. On first down, we were awful.”
