Humor

Highlight Hogs- Season In Review

Date: 2011-11-29T05:11:49.323
Author: Jimmy Carter
Editor note: Arkansas junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith returns a fumble 47 yards against LSU. Highsmith was the Hogs third-leading tackler in the regular season with 73 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss
Number of Views: 326

Best Win: Arkansas 42 Texas A&M 38

The Aggies failed to live up to their Top 10 ranking entering the season, but were still ranked No. 14 when Arkansas played them. The Razorbacks came back from an 18-point deficit against the Aggies to avoid its second straight loss after the dismantling by Alabama.

Play of the Year – Joe Adams’ 60-yard punt return against Tennessee

Adams’ electrifying return will likely be a candidate to win an ESPY for Play of the Year in July. It has more than 1.1 million views on YouTube and garnered attention after he broke five tackles and raced up the sideline.

Offensive MVP – Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson

Wilson had big shoes to fill replacing NFL draft pick Ryan Mallett, but turned in an impressive year and has an opportunity to break Mallett’s single-season school records. With the bowl game remaining, he has 3,422 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Aside from the statistics, he has a chance to lead Arkansas to more wins than Mallett could.

Biggest Offensive Disappointment – Passing Game against Alabama, LSU

As good as Wilson was, Arkansas struggled to throw the ball mightily against the Crimson Tide and Tigers. He threw for 392 yards and three interceptions, while getting pressured constantly.

Wilson was sacked five times and hit many other times in the two games, in part because the Razorbacks’ highly-touted receiving corps struggled to get open against top-tier secondaries.

Best offensive performance – Texas A&M

The offense racked up 582 yards of offense and scored 25 second-half points to rally for a season-saving 42-38 win against then-No. 14 Texas A&M.

Wilson threw for a school-record 510 yards and three touchdowns, while senior receiver Jarius Wright showcased his big-play ability, hauling in 13 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Offensive Area to Improve – Offensive Line

The offensive line progressed throughout the season, but struggled to run and pass-block against elite defenses. Losing junior running back Knile Davis before the season hurt and Wilson took a beating throughout the season. The Razorbacks lose strong-side tackle Grant Freeman and weak-side guard Grant Cook and preparing a wealth of young talent for next season will be crucial.

Defensive MVP – Junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith

The junior college transfer has exceeded expectations during his first year in Fayetteville. Highsmith started all 12 regular-season games for the Razorbacks and was third on the team with 73 tackles, with a team-high 10.5 tackles-for-loss. The junior linebacker also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and one interception.

Biggest Defensive Disappointment – Junior cornerback Darius Winston

The 6-foot-1 cornerback completed his third year as a Razorback and still struggled to show signs of the five-star rating he had coming out of high school. Winston struggled with injuries in a few games this season and logged just 17 tackles and quarterback hurry.

Best Defensive Performance – Tramain Thomas vs. LSU

Arkansas lost at No. 1 LSU 41-17 to end its regular season, but the score could have been much worse without Thomas’ efforts. The senior safety had a game-high 14 tackles and forced a fumble that was returned for a Razorback touchdown, before also having a tight-rope interception on the sideline.

Defensive Area to Improve – Secondary

Arkansas’ secondary was supposed to have increased depth this season and it was shown when starters Issac Madison and Darius Winston both went down in the Alabama and Texas A&M games, respectively. However, both players, along with senior Greg Gatson, struggled to have much of an impact in the big games for the Razorbacks this season.

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