Adams A Perfect 36
Joe Adams has a catch in every game he’s played as a Razorback, running his streak to 36 against New Mexico. Adams has had more than one catch in 26 games, including Saturday, when he caught five passes for 72 yards. New Mexico tried to punt away from Adams, who tied a Southeastern Conference record in the first week of the season against Missouri State with two touchdowns on punt returns.
Mark Buffalo • Arkansas News Bureau
He had only one return in the first half Saturday, losing a yard. Adams also lined up in the backfield for the first time this season, rushing twice for 33 yards in the first half.
9-11 Helmet Hog
The Razorback decal on Arkansas’ helmets had a new look Saturday. The red, white and blue hog matched the one at midfield to commemorate the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001.
In a statement released just prior to Saturday’s game, the university said the decals were part of “Razorbacks Remember,” a tribute that included a “red, white and blue out” in the stands at War Memorial Stadium and a flyover from the 189th wing of the Arkansas National Guard based at Little Rock Air Force Base.
The Razorback Marching Band also performed patriotic music at halftime. According to the statement, players didn’t find out about the commemorative decal until just before Saturday’s game. As part of the red, white and blue out, fans sported either red or white, depending on their seating section, while students, including Razorback cheerleaders, wore blue.
It’s Critical
Don’t talk red zone with Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino. To him, the 20-yard-line on in is the critical zone and he believes in being successful there. Arkansas was 4 for 4 inside the critical zone in the first half against New Mexico and 8 for 8 on the season. Against the Lobos, Arkansas scored on a 12-yard pass from Tyler Wilson to Jarius Wright in the first quarter.
In the second period, Zach Hocker kicked a 24-yard field goal, Kody Walker scored from the 1, and Wilson scrambled for a 7-yard TD for critical zone scores.
Wilson’s First Pick
Tyler Wilson suffered his first interception of the season early in the second quarter against New Mexico. His pass to Ronnie Wingo was high, but tipped to the Lobos’ Carmen Messina. The pass was picked at the New Mexico 21 and returned 1 yard.
The Lobos were unsuccessful after the turnover, punting after gaining 3 yards. Wilson also fumbled at the 10 on a scramble in the second quarter, but the ball was recovered by Arkansas’ Travis Swanson.
Two-Minute Drill
With 1:58 left in the half, Arkansas called a timeout with New Mexico facing a punting situation. It was obvious Petrino wanted to see his team execute the 2-minute drill against the Lobos.
The result was a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive in 1:32. Wilson dropped back, found nobody open, and took off up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown. Arkansas led 31-3 at intermission.
Mark Buffalo • Arkansas News Bureau
Walker Scores Again
Freshman Kody Walker has secured a spot as the Razorbacks’ short-yardage specialist, scoring from the 1 with 2:14 left in the half against New Mexico. He also scored in the third quarter from the 1. Walker scored twice in the season opener against Missouri State.
Hocker’s New Streak
Zach Hocker’s new streak for consecutive PATs began after missing one against Missouri State in the first week of the season. His record is now at 12 straight, including seven against New Mexico. He kicked 57 before the miss.
Hocker also handles field goal and kickoff duties for the Razorbacks. Hocker missed a 48-yard field at the 7:17 mark of the first quarter and was true on a 24-yarder with 5:33 left in the first half.
Mitchell’s Second Half
Brandon Mitchell took over at quarterback for Arkansas in the second half when Wilson, the starter, didn’t return to the field immediately after intermission. Mitchell’s highlight was a 54-yard touchdown pass to Cobi Hamilton with 12 minutes left in the game to put the Razorbacks up 45-3.
Mitchell also turned in a 14-yard touchdown run with 4:28 left. Mitchell, who completed 10-of-11 against Missouri State, was only 3 of 7 in the third quarter against the Lobos.
Little Rock Success
Arkansas made it nine straight victories — six under Petrino — at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock by defeating New Mexico on Saturday. The Hogs have a winning history in the capital city, moving the overall mark to 147-52-2.
Petrino’s perfect record against non-conference opponents improved to 11-0. In Arkansas’ only other game played in Little Rock on Sept. 10, it was a 53-10 victory over New Mexico State in 1977. That was the opening game in the Lou Holtz era and began a season that ended 11-1, including an upset over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Mark Buffalo • Arkansas News Bureau
Rush To Judgment
If a Razorback team rushes for 100 yards, it wins. At least that has held true in 11 straight games, dating back to last season. Arkansas rushed 42 times for 259 yards against the Lobos.
Arkansas barely kept the record going in its first outing this season, netting only 102 yards on the ground against Missouri State.
Freshmen Rotations
Lonnie Gosha recorded his first unassisted tackle as a Razorback on Saturday against New Mexico. Gosha was among 10 freshman to see action in the opener against Missouri State, a surprise to some after he was limited in preseason by a high ankle sprain.
But Gosha was back out there against the Lobos, rotating with a deep defensive front that includes Robert Thomas, Byran Jones, Zach Stadther, Alfred Davis and D.D. Jones. Petrino announced last week that senior Lavunce Askew will redshirt this season after starting seven games and playing in 31 for the Razorbacks in his first three seasons.
Captain Cobbs
Cedric Cobbs was back on the field Saturday, serving as the A Club honorary captain. Cobbs played from 1999-2003, rushing for 3,018 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is fourth on the Razorbacks’ all-time rushing list, fifth in career rushing touchdowns and tied for fifth with 11 career 100-yard rushing games.
He was first-team All-SEC as a senior and was MVP of the Independence Bowl victory over Missouri with 141 yards on 27 carries, including a touchdown. He was drafted by New England and played for the Patriots and the Denver Broncos in the NFL.
More Than Tradition
Arkansas coaches and players traditionally have made annual visits to Arkansas Children’s Hospital when playing in Little Rock, and that didn’t change prior to Saturday’s game against New Mexico. What was different was a $250,000 donation by Petrino and his wife, Becky, during a visit to the hospital on Friday.
Petrino said he also would lend his name to a golf tournament to benefit the hospital. The hospital said in a news release that a family lounge and waiting area in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit will be named in honor of the Petrinos.
Osborne Honored
Jennings Osborne, known for his extravagant holiday lights and barbecues, was honored in the A Club Walk of Fame on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. Osborne, who died July 27, was represented by wife, Misty, and daughter, Breezy.
— Arkansas News Bureau
