Zach Turner
I, just like most, probably don’t have an answer for why Arkansas’ defense has gotten off to slow starts in the first half before being completely dominate at times in the second half.
Luckily for Razorbacks fans, it is the first half that the big plays are allowed and not the second half, specifically the fourth quarter where games seem to be won. The Hogs’ rush defense has allowed many holes get exposed early in games, but by the games end, the defense is solid and has been the biggest reason the Hogs have won their last two games after falling behind early.
Flashback to two weeks ago when then-No. 14 Texas A&M shredded the Razorback defense for 225 yards rushing in the first half, while averaging 8.6 yards per carry. After a halftime adjust that the coaches described as “going back to the old defensive formation,” Arkansas forced Texas A&M’s average yard per carry down to 7.0 and allowed 156 yards total in the second half.
Although 156 yards on the ground is one half is high, it was good enough for the Razorbacks to outscore the Aggies 25-3 in the second half en route to a 42-38 victory.
The latest first-half struggles came in the 38-14 win against Auburn when the Razorbacks gave up 141 yards in the first quarter, while also allowing two rushing touchdowns in the opening period.
Arkansas natives Michael Dyer and Kiehl Frazier busted off a 55-yard touchdown run and a 7-yard touchdown run, respectively, Auburn’s only scores of the game.
Arkansas pulled it together again after halftime and gave up 124 second half rushing yards, but, like the Texas A&M game, didn’t allow a second-half touchdown.
The most impressive stat? Limiting Dyer to just eight yards on nine carries in the third quarter.
After the Hogs were smashed by Alabama and dominated in the first half of the Southwest Classic against Texas A&M, some fans were calling for the firing of defensive coordinator Willy Robinson. Robinson is in his fourth year as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator and his defenses have been middle of the pack to bottom in the Southeastern Conference.
The players will tell you it is all about tackling. The coaches say they have changed some schemes.
Whatever it may be, though, Arkansas seems to slowly be putting together something that could give them the chance on defense to run the table until the Nov. 25 meeting with No. 1 LSU.
Junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith is only getting better with each game and is Arkansas best player on defense, while the defensive line is picking up steam again with Jake Bequette returning from injury. Senior safety Tramain Thomas had two straight irrelevant games against Alabama and Texas A&M, but seemed to find his footing with a nine-tackle, two-interception game against Auburn.
Senior linebacker Jerry Franklin was the leader and best tackler on the team against Auburn, like Arkansas fans have come to expect the last three seasons, with his 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
After playing the toughest three-game stretch of maybe any team in the nation in No. 3 Alabama, No. 14 Texas A&N and No. 15 Auburn, to emerge 2-1 in those games while continually getting better is a huge advantage heading into the second half of the season.
Whether it was tackling technique or if the Arkansas coaches have finally found a winning formula on defense, if the unit continues its effort from the second half of Auburn, regardless of the one loss, the Razorbacks could be headed to their second consecutive BCS bowl game.
Zach Turner is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Wednesday. Follow him on Twitter @zwturner.