By Scott Faldon
Times Record • sfaldon@swtimes.com
FAYETTEVILLE — D.J. Williams admitted he got teary-eyed prior to his final game at Razorback Stadium.
The senior tight end from Little Rock, along with 20 other seniors, was introduced to the crowd before Arkansas 58-21 win.
“It was just a good deal to see the people that have been there for me throughout my life,” Williams said. “It was really an emotional experience.”
Williams finished with five catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns, which matched his career high. It was a fitting senior night for one of the Razorbacks’ most-productive offensive weapons.
He entered the game with 135 catches in his career, which was fifth-best in school history. With Saturday’s five catches, Williams moved into fourth on the Arkansas career receptions list with 140. He passed Anthony Lucas, who caught 137 from 1996-99.
Williams had 433 yards on 37 catches with just one TD this season prior to Saturday’s game.
“I had a fun night. I had a very good time playing tonight,” Williams said. “We have so many offensive weapons, and that’s what we expect from ourselves. We’re just doing a great job executing.”
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said with injuries to other players, Williams has become a more integral cog in the offense.
“D.J. is somebody that we have a lot of confidence in, and when Greg Childs is no longer with us (due to injury), it’s good to get him going and call more plays for him,” Petrino said. “He always answers the bell, and he improves on his blocking every week. He’s a big part of our football team.”
Zac Lehr • Special to the Arkansas News Bureau
Williams left the game in the third quarter after being sandwiched between two Miners following his final catch. On the sideline, trainers were checking his left shoulder.
“It was just a little bump, a little bruise,” Williams said. “No big deal, just go day-to-day with it … it’ll be fine.”
Disappointed Mallett
The Arkansas sports information staff estimated Saturday’s attendance at 67,330. Even if that number was accurate, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was disappointed by the Razorback fans.
“When we came out (before the game), me and a few guys said we were a little disappointed in how empty it was,” Mallett said. “Being our Senior Night, we thought more people would’ve wanted to see those guys’ last game here.”
A combination of the first cold weather of the season, the opening day of deer season and a non-conference cupcake kept Razorback Stadium from being sold out.
Special Teams
Midway through the first quarter, UTEP’s Marlon McClure received a kickoff at the Miners’ goal line. The 5-foot-9 sophomore wide receiver ran to his right and hit a wall of Razorbacks. But McClure broke several tackles, reversed field back to his left, picked up several blocks and scored a 100-yard TD return.
His TD return — which actually required him to run close to 140 yards — was the first against Arkansas since 2008. That season, Auburn’s Tristan Davis returned one 98 yards for a TD.
Tramain Thomas’ block of a first-quarter UTEP field goal attempt was the first of the season by Arkansas. The last field goal blocked by Arkansas was by Eliott Harris in 2004 against Mississippi State.
Things got worse for UTEP’s special teams at the end of the second quarter. After a last-minute drive to the Arkansas 19, the Miners tried for a field goal. The snap went through the hands of holder Carson Meger, and Darius Winston fell on it for Arkansas as time expired.
Arkansas had its own special teams miscue. Late in the fourth quarter, kicker Alex Tejada was sent in to kick the final extra point of the game. But holder Austin Tucker had trouble with the snap, which resulted in Tejada’s PAT being blocked.
Oclophobia
Speaking of crowds, UTEP is now 0-23 in games played in front of crowds of at least 55,000. UTEP is now 1-7 against SEC teams, with the Miners’ only victory coming in the 1967 Sun Bowl with a 14-7 win against Ole Miss.
UTEP has lost 25 consecutive road games to ranked opponents.
Nineteen Wins As No. 14
Arkansas is now 18-5 when playing as the No. 14 team in the nation.
The Razorbacks are 2-0 all-time against UTEP. Arkansas won 39-7 in 1989 in Little Rock in the other game.
Seniors Honored
Joining Williams and Tejada in the pregame ceremony for the seniors were: Damario Ambrose, Clay Bemberg, Ramon Broadway (who was on crutches and did not play), Freddy Burton, Dustin Cain, Ben Cleveland, Rudell Crim, Ray Dominguez, Wade Grayson, Patrick Jones, Anthony Leon, DeMarcus Love, Jermaine Love, Ryan Powers, Rhett Richardson, Andru Stewart, Van Stumon, Zhamal Thomas and Austin Tucker.
