Top 5 Overtime Games for the Arkansas Razorbacks
By Matt Jenkins
#2 Auburn @ Arkansas (2015), 4 Overtimes, Razorbacks win 54-46
Oct 24, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) drops back to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
We all know the hell the Razorbacks went through this season, with terrible injuries, losses that shouldn’t have happened, and more. Arkansas went into Tennessee 1-3 and much to hope for in 2015. And yet, the Hogs fought and battled for 4 quarters and beat Tennessee 24-20. Arkansas then fought valiantly against Alabama, but ultimately lost 27-14. With Auburn on a down year, Razorback fans, including myself, actually saw an opportunity for the Hogs to make a bowl game and salvage the season. All they had to do was beat a struggling Auburn team.
That proved to be easier said than done for the Hogs.
ESPN wrote in their post game article, “Time and again in three seasons under coach Bret Bielema, Arkansas has struggled in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Razorbacks saved their most dramatic win for their longest one yet under Bielema on Saturday … It was a back-and-forth game full of lead changes and big plays, the last of which was Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Drew Morgan on the opening play of the fourth extra period. Following a 2-point conversion pass by Allen to Jeremy Sprinkle, the Razorbacks defense finally found a way to stop the Tigers when it mattered most — earning Bielema his first win over former Arkansas offensive coordinator and Auburn coach Gus Malzahn in three games.”
That sums up the game right there. This game is arguably Bielema’s biggest win of his Arkansas career. Like ESPN wrote, Arkansas has struggled mightily to close and finish close games, even if they had the lead. Not only did Bielema and his coaching staff come up big in this game, the players came up huge, and that includes embattled Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen. Allen was 10 of 14 passing during the overtime periods, which included the game winning touchdown pass to Drew Morgan. Alex Collins rushed for 105 yards and 1 touchdown, and Drew Morgan stepped up big for the Hogs, snagging 6 balls for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hunter Henry, who had been fairly silent in the previous games, came back with a strong 5 catch, 68 yard performance.
The Razorbacks still have a lot to play for in the 2015 season. If everything goes well for the Hogs, then I think a lot of Razorback fan will refer to THIS game as the turning point of the season, and not Tennessee, like we all thought.
And now… #1 …
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