Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

9/11/2011 at 9:24am

Image by Mark Wagner

Arkansas receiver Cobi Hamilton has six touchdowns in five career games at War Memorial Stadium. His second-half score helped the Razorbacks to a 52-3 victory against New Mexico on Saturday.

Arkansas 52, New Mexico 3 

Why Arkansas Won
No question the Razorbacks were once again the superior team. They put up big numbers on offense (632 yards and 34 first downs), dazzled again on special teams (Marquel Wade kickoff return for touchdown) and did enough defensively to put the Lobos away. There is work to be done before that Sept. 24 date with Alabama, but the Razorbacks proved they’re talented enough to have little trouble with lesser teams even on a night they aren’t perfect. 

Turning Point
Teammates raved about freshman wide receiver/return specialist Marquel Wade in preseason. He showed why with an 85-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. Not that there was any doubt Arkansas would win, but Wade all but put the game away with 4:57 remaining in the opening period. New Mexico had just pulled within 7-3 on a field goal and 15 seconds later, the Razorbacks were back up two scores. 

Gamebreaker
On a team full of dynamic playmakers, Joe Adams makes a strong argument as the Razorbacks’ best. Adams totaled 110 all-purpose yards. He lined up at tailback and averaged 16.5 yards on two first-half carries.

Adams had more first-half rushing yards than true tailbacks De’Anthony Curtis or Ronnie Wingo Jr. Coaches lined Adams up some in the backfield in some situations last season and figure to do that more this year. 

Razorbacks Remember
Tributes to the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were visible throughout the Arkansas-New Mexico game. 

Not only was a red, white and blue Razorback painted at midfield, players wore a helmet with the patriotic mascot on the side. A flyover from the 189^th Air Wing of the Arkansas National Guard happened following the national anthem and a moment of silence.

“It was really special to come here and see the Hog painted in red, white and blue, the entire atmosphere,” Coach Bobby Petrino said. “We all know what tomorrow is. We all remember that day and how hard that day was.” 

Injured Hogs
Arkansas played all or part of the second half without several key players. Missing were defensive end Jake Bequette (hamstring), wide receiver Jarius Wright (strained knee) and quarterback Tyler Wilson (concussion). 

“[We had] three guys get a little bit nicked up,” Petrino said of the injured players, all team captains. Petrino did not seem concerned by the three injures.

Cobi’s Town
What is it about Cobi Hamilton and War Memorial? The Texarkana native seems right at home in Little Rock and now has six career touchdowns in five games at the Razorbacks’ second home stadium. 

Hamilton pushed the Razorbacks up 45-3 with 12:00 left against New Mexico. It was a 54-yard reception.

Wilson’s Wheels
Tyler Wilson showed off his scrambling ability against New Mexico. Perhaps a bit too much.

Wilson, who averaged 9.2 yards per carry against the Lobos, didn’t return to the game in the second half, ending his day on a seven-yard touchdown run with 17.7 seconds remaining before halftime. He spent the bulk of the half on the sidelines in his pads, but without a helmet.

In addition to his seven-yard scoring run, Wilson had a 30-yard carry. He was actually the team’s leader in rushing for the first half with 46 yards on five carries. 

Wilson completed 18 of 26 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown.

Going Short
Kody Walker continues to state his case for the Razorbacks’ short yardage and goal-line back. Walker had a pair of one-yard touchdown runs for the second consecutive game. He finished with 10 carries for 32 yards.

No Sacks
Arkansas figured to feast on a New Mexico offensive line that allowed nine sacks in a week one loss. Surprisingly, the Razorbacks did not record a single sack against the Lobos. 

“I was complaining to the D-line coaches all night long, I’ll tell you that,” Petrino said.

Arkansas did hold the Lobos to 297 yards of total offense and 5 of 17 on third downs.

Solid Night
Wilson's injury opened the door for Brandon Mitchell in the second half. Mitchell completed 8 of 13 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score and finished with five rushes for 59 yards.

Quick Hits
Wide receiver Jarius Wright hauled in his 15^th career touchdown with 13:03 left in the first quarter. … Injured running back Knile Davis joined other team captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss. ... Arkansas has scored 103 points in the first two games of the season, second most in school history.

Speaking Out
"I think they liked them a lot. They like to style. They like to look good.”
Coach Bobby Petrino on the team sporting helmets with a red, white and blue Razorback decal on the side.

Tagged: Kody Walker, Tyler Wilson, Jake Bequette, Jarius Wright, New Mexico Lobos, Bobby Petrino, Arkansas Razorbacks