5:35 p.m. 63-7 — Nicholls gets on the scoreboard with 9:15 left in the third quarter on a nicely executed drive against a lot of the Hogs’ defensive backups, although starting MLB Brooks Ellis was on the coverage and trailing as Keenan Canty took a 10-yard bullet at the goal line from Kale Henderson.
Nicholls moved 75 yards in 9 plays. Arkansas’ defensive coaches have a lot of teaching moments to note on film for the youngsters, such as one DE running himself out of the play with a bull rush and bad angle on a running sweep to his side. Arkansas’ coverage really hasn’t been spectacular, despite Nicholls’ difficulty in moving the ball through the air — the Colonels have had passes hit them in the hands and fall incomplete all day — but on this drive the Nicholls receivers settled down and handled Henderson’s throws.
Backup safeties Josh Liddell and Dre Coley, both freshmen, were on the field on that drive. It was one of the few scoring drives Arkansas has given up this year that the safeties were not the problem.
5:09 p.m. 63-0 — A kickoff return to near midfield by Keon Hatcher, an Alex Collins run through left tackle and then a little pass over the middle to freshman Jared Collins, running right to left, who then scooted past three defenders down the left sideline to score his first official touchdown as a Hog (he had scored earlier only to see that wiped out by penalty). The play covered 38 yards, the drive covered 48 yards, and only 52 seconds half elapsed in the second half.
Yes, I question having Brandon Allen back in the game, along with the offensive starters up 56-0 at the half. This is unnecessary. But, hey, give the fans what they paid for. Just don’t get anybody hurt. Allen is now 4 of 5 for 119 yards and a stratospheric quarterback rating of 540.6
4:48 p.m. 56-0 Arkansas, halftime — I can’t even blame the fans on hand if they want to scoot out early and catch some dinner at the many fine dining establishments around here. But the younger players certainly will deserve some attention as they get a massive amount of playing time in the second half.
Arkansas has 425 yards to Nicholls’ 55. Arkansas has rushed for 329 yards (still 180 shy of Air Force’s total rushing yardage last week against Nicholls), while the Colonels have minus-9 yards on the ground.
LPGA star and former Razorback All-American and NCAA champ Stacy Lewis is being recognized at halftime.
Back to football: This stat just blows my mind. Arkansas actually improved its yard-per-play average in the second quarter, averaging 21.2 per snap for the first half. That is Xbox numbers where you load up one team and let the computer have, well, Nicholls. The Colonels are averaging 1.2 yards per play.
Nicholls is crushing Arkansas in time of possession, 21:11 to 8:49. Arkansas has four sacks and four other tackles for loss. Jonathan Williams leads the rushing attack with 143 yards on 4 carries.
Here are some other notes from the SID crew:
Alex Collins scored a career high three rushing touchdowns in a game in the first half; the 56 points in the first half are the most in a half in Bielema’s coaching career; Arkansas matched scoring five touchdowns in its first five possessions vs. Kentucky two years ago (but this was ridiculously easier); Drew Morgan and Cody Hollister had their first career catches as Razorbacks, and both were touchdowns; Arkansas averaged 2.8 POINTS per play (56 points in 20 plays) and averaged a touchdown every 2.5 plays; Arkansas scored 8 touchdowns in 9 possessions.
Pardon us if the blog is a little less detailed in the second half.
4:37 p.m. 56-0 — I can’t recall Arkansas ever leading anyone 56-0 at halftime. One of the bigger blowouts I can recall was Lou Holtz’s 1978 Hogs leading a good Texas Tech, needing a win to tie for the SWC title, 42-0 at the half and scoring on all six possessions. Ron Calcagni and crew were perfect that day. It ended 49-0.
KTHV’s Mary Dunleavy just asked me, what did I think would be when Arkansas shuts the scoring down. I’d like to think they’d be nice about this and halt it at 63, but the Hogs might not be able to help themselves the way the Colonels are playing, which is barely. I was thinking an all-star team of the top high school players in Washington County would put up a better fight than this.
4:35 p.m. 56-0 — Alex Collins can barely be tackled, as Austin Allen directs a TD drive of 46 yards following a Nicholls punt. Collins goes right up the gut for 13 yards and hardly is touched.
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