Johnson Returns
Dennis Johnson, who had missed 13 straight games with injuries, was one of the deep backs on the opening kickoff against Troy. The kick was over his head and went out the back of the end zone for a touchback, but he saw some real action later in the game.
Troy’s kickoff following its touchdown near the end of the half went to Johnson; he ran it back 35 yards before being tackled at the Arkansas 47. He had a 19-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. He also got some playing time at running back. His first carry came on the second play of the second quarter – a 1-yard gain. He had a 6-yard carry in the fourth period, lost 2, then added a 15-yard run with about 8 minutes to play. He ended the night with 22 yards on four carries.
Johnson went down with a bowel injury last season and missed the final 11 games of the year. The redshirt junior has been hampered by a hamstring injury this year. Johnson practiced at running back and on the kick return team last week. He has two kickoff returns for touchdowns in his career.
Sarah Bentham • Special to the Arkansas News Bureau
Players Out
Greg Childs, whose grandmother died last week, was not dressed out Saturday for the Troy game. The senior wideout from Warren missed practice last week. He is expected to return against Alabama. Also missing Saturday’s game were Jarius Wright (knee) and Jake Bequette (hamstring). It’s unknown whether the two will be back in the lineup against the Crimson Tide.
Critical Zone
Going into Saturday’s game against Troy, the Razorbacks had scored on every possession inside the opponents’ 20.
Against Troy, Arkansas scored all three times it had the ball inside the 20. That makes Arkansas 13-of-13 inside the critical zone. After two games, Arkansas’ 10-of-10 was tied for best in the NCAA. In 2010, the Razorbacks scored 44 of 49 times when inside the opponents’ 20.
Wilson Gets Third
Quarterback Tyler Wilson got his third start in as many games this season after sitting out the second half against New Mexico with concussion-like symptoms. He was released to play against Troy by the following Monday.
Against the Trojans, Wilson played most of the game, passing 36 times, with 23 completions for 303 yards, including a touchdown. He also had two mishandled snaps under center and threw an interception that Troy returned 47 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Wilson went into the Troy game averaging 259.5 yards per game, ranking second in the Southeastern Conference. His average of 280 yards of total offense was also second in the conference. In two games, Wilson’s passing efficiency rating was 174.99 – second in the league and 19th in the NCAA.
The First Ball
Arkansas has been on the receiving end of the opening kickoff in every game this year, either winning the toss and electing to receive, or taking the ball when the other team defers to the second half. Arkansas also has scored on the opening possession of every game. Ronnie Wingo scored on a 22-yard run for a touchdown with 13:09 left in the period.
The Arkansas offense has a well-earned reputation of being able to score quickly. The opening score against the Trojans was the fifth TD drive of less than 2 minutes this season and the 67th such drive since Bobby Petrino became the Razorbacks’ head coach in 2008. Arkansas added another quick touchdown with 6:40 left in the third period for the 68th under Petrino and sixth of the year.
Last season, the Razorbacks recorded 26 touchdowns in under 2 minutes.
Adams Extends Again
The number for Joe Adams is now 37 – that’s the number of consecutive games he’s caught a pass for Arkansas. It’s also the number of games he’s played in for Arkansas.
Against the Trojans, Adams was on the receiving end of eight passes, including an electrifying run after a Wilson pass early in the fourth quarter for a 56-yard touchdown. He ended up with 109 yards. On the down side, Adams lost two fumbles – one on a punt and the other after a reception in the fourth quarter.
