Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

9/11/2010 at 9:57pm

Image by Mark Wagner

Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin had eight tackles in the 14th-ranked Razorbacks' 31-7 victory against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday. Franklin and the UA defense provided a lift when the offense struggled early.

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas expected to have to lean on its defense a few times this season, just not this early. A Southeastern Conference game, perhaps; but not a Sun Belt opponent. Yet, with an offense continually struggling and stalling after reaching Louisiana-Monroe's end of the field through most of three quarters, the Razorback defense kept the Warhawks down until Ryan Mallett and his receiving crew could break the game open for a 31-7 win.

The Hogs defense allowed only one Louisiana-Monroe drive past midfield until the fourth quarter lead reached 24-0.

Then, perhaps some sense of satisfaction if not complacency settled into the defenders, and ULM drove 77 yards for its only score, a 25-yard pass from Kolton Browning.

It was the longest completion out of seven for Browning in 17 throws, and he was sacked three times. The other six completions totaled 49 yards. A defensive staff can live with 8 yards per catch.

And on the ground, ULM netted 116 yards on 37 attempts (3.1 per rush). For the second straight week the Hogs held a foe under 200 yards total offense, and they came within 5:12 of pitching a second-straight no-touchdown effort after throttling Tennessee Tech last week 44-3.

Maybe the most significant play for the fast-reacting defense came early in the third quarter. Another Razorback drive into ULM territory had bogged down. In the first half, Bobby Petrino gambled with fourth-down attempts three times from around the ULM 40, only to see failure. This time he turned to sophomore punter Dylan Breeding who, with maybe a little luck after dropping the snap, delivered his kick almost rugby style, where freshman Javontee Herndon downed it at the ULM 1.

Last year, and surely in Petrino's and coordinator Willy Robinson's first season, the Hogs would have let the Warhawks out of the hole. This time, they turned the ball back over after three downs, nearly sacking the quarterback in the end zone on second down, to the offense at the ULM 33. Arkansas hammered away in seven plays for the touchdown, a 1-yard Ryan Mallett sneak, and a two-score edge.

"We got a safety last week, and we were thinking then, let's get another safety," defensive end Jake Bequette said.

"Our defense is just out to prove something. Last year the talk was we had an offense but no defense," junior safety Jerico Nelson said. "This year we're just out to prove that we do have a defense and we're coming to ball every game."

The Hogs and the crowd of 55,705 fans could breathe easier, despite all the high humidity and the gritty play of the Warhawks. It was becoming less likely we'd see a repeat of 2008, when Arkansas had to score in the final minute to beat ULM 28-27.

Arkansas had players swarming speedy back Luther Ambrose of ULM and stripping the ball away for a turnover -- Jake Bequette getting his big arms in, but safety Tramain Thomas and other also helping -- in the third quarter at the ULM 29. And when the offense wasted that opportunities with Greg Childs' loose carry after a reception, the high-pressure defense got it right back at the Warhawks 49, forcing Browning into an overthrow that safety Rudell Crim picked before it hit the ground. That would set up a 26-yard Zack Hocker field goal early in the fourth quarter and a three-score edge.

"I can't say I'm surprised, but I am happy with the way they're playing," Petrino said of the defense. "They're playing fast, not making many errors. We got guys running to the ball. When you watch them play, they're having fun out there."

Robinson has had to weather the storm of fans disappointed with Arkansas' defensive showing in the past two years. Last year, Arkansas gave up more than 400 yards a game to rank last in the SEC. He said the difference is having a unit that has played and learned together.

"I know it's a different view from up in the stands, but from the sidelines, it's lightning fast," Robinson said, describing the way his group is attacking the football.

Yes, Robinson and his players felt disappointment giving up the late score. Linebacker Nelson said Robinson was upset and gave the starters a loud, but not too loud, talk about it.

Robinson said, "The thing we preach on is finishing. It's a shame we worked that hard and didn't finish like we've been working so hard to do."

But Robinson and Petrino, along with the players, seem to be approaching the Georgia game with a level of confidence that's been high since spring.

"These two games were tough football teams that we played," Robinson said. "Now all of a sudden we're walking into a stadium where the caliber of players we have. We've been very hard working toward this third week of our season, so we're looking forward to it."

Petrino said, "When you look at where our defense has played in the two games, you have to feel good about it."

They have to feel good knowing the offense can lean on them now. It's not offense or bust for the Razorbacks in 2010, at least in the pre-SEC season.

And what's changed most? Jerico Nelson said, "I say the chemistry of the defense. We've been together the last three years and you know where this person is going to be, where that person is going to be at. Experience, playing with each other and you know how to fit off other people."

Tagged: Willy Robinson, Jerico Nelson, Jake Bequette, Bobby Petrino