Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

11/12/2011 at 10:09pm

Image by Mark Wagner

Jarius Wright moved into first-place for receptions at Arkansas on Saturay. He now has 155 total.

Arkansas 49, Tennessee 7

Why Arkansas Won
Arkansas is getting closer to that elusive “complete game,” turning in big plays in all departments. A major emphasis entering the night was in sending the team’s 17 seniors off right and the guys on the way out did their part to ensure victory. Seniors were responsible for the night’s biggest plays on offense, defense and special teams. Arkansas (9-1, 5-1) finished with 499 yards, including 263 on the ground. For the first time this season the team had more rushing than passing yards. Defensively, the Razorbacks gave up yards to Tennessee (4-6, 0-6), but only one touchdown.

Turning Point
For all the big plays the Razorbacks had made against the Vols, this felt like a tight game until the third quarter. Arkansas led 21-7 and there was little differential in yards gained by the two teams. Dennis Johnson scored on a 15-yard touchdown run — his second of the day — churning through the Tennessee defense and a couple of missed tackles. Johnson’s score gave the Razorbacks a 28-7 lead and the game was never in doubt.

Impressive Play
It takes a lot to impress offensive coordinator Garrick McGee. He often talks of expecting the Razorbacks to make plays.

McGee couldn’t hide his excitement over Joe Adams’ 60-yard punt return, however. Adams appeared to be hemmed up by Tennessee defenders on the sideline, but reversed course (multiple times) and broke at least seven tackles on his way to the end zone.

“I said to Joe after the game, I said, ‘Listen, I’ve done seen you make a bunch of plays around here, but that punt return tonight was special,” McGee said. “That was a play.”

Adams has returned three punts for touchdowns this season.

And Another...
Describing Jarius Wright’s most impressive play on a record-setting night is difficult. So we’ll let Wright explain his 40-yard catch that included juggling the ball and getting tangled up with a Tennessee defensive back:

“It was a fade route. I was running up the sideline. I saw Tyler threw the ball out there, there was a little wind out there tonight, I think it kind of got caught in the air. I tried to stop and go back to it. I actually caught it the first time, but then the cornerback was right up there on me. I kind of flipped it in the air trying to bring it in. I tried to bring it in the second time with one hand and it kind of hit off my facemask and bounced in the air again. I was like, ‘let me go out there with two hands this time,’ so I just dove for it with two hands and ended up coming up with it.”

Wright ended the night with five catches for 94 yards and one touchdown. He is currently the Arkansas receptions leader with 155.

And Another...
Not to be outdone, safety Tramain Thomas pulled in an impressive interception. He had contact on the goal line with a Tennessee receiver, but still managed to pull down the ball to intercept Volunteers’ quarterback Justin Worley, who finished 15 of 29 for 208 yards and an interception.

Thomas just missed a jaw-dropping, one-handed interception in the first half. He finished with a team-high 10 tackles.

Getting In On The Act
It’s not uncommon to see Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Tramain Thomas making big plays. They’re mainstays in the Arkansas lineup and have a history of highlights.

They were far from the only Razorback seniors who had a memorable night.

Senior running backs De’Anthony Curtis and Broderick Green both had touchdowns against the Volunteers.

Green scored on a 10-yard pass to make it 42-7. It was a touchdown set up by his 40-yard run earlier in the possession.

Curtis, who has bounced between offense and defense and back to offense in his career, got a 26-yard score.

Personnel Update
Not only was Tenarius Wright back on Saturday, he was back in the starting lineup. Wright had been out since the Alabama game with a broken arm.

Wright started and finished with a tackle.

Missing from the lineup was return specialist/wide receiver Marquel Wade. He was suspended for "breaking a team rule." Wade missed last week’s game because of suspension for a hit against Vanderbilt.

Speaking Out
“I thought they did a good job all week long in our preparation. It was easy for us. We were focusing on the seniors, making sure they won their last game in Fayetteville. We showed our maturity and came out and played well.”
—Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino

Up Next
Arkansas hosts Mississippi State in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on CBS.

Tagged: Arkansas Razorbacks, Tennessee Volunteers, Garrick McGee, Bobby Petrino, Tramain Thomas, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright