The Best and Worst From the Arkansas Razorbacks 2015 Season

#3 Worst: September

There is no sugarcoating it. The Arkansas Razorbacks sucked in September. Were there valid excuses for the suckage? Of course! Injuries, injuries, and more injuries, as we discussed earlier. But that doesn’t excuse the poor play by the offensive unit, especially in regards to the running game.

Alex Collins was only able to net 54 rushing yards against Toledo in a losing effort. Against Texas Tech, Collins finished the game with 170 yards, but 70 of those came on a draw as the second quarter expired that didn’t accomplish anything. The Razorbacks were basically useless in September, especially in the red zone.

It wasn’t until October that the team was able to put together a decent 4 quarter showing against a decent opponent.  While they showed signs of life against TAMU in the last week of the month, it was still a losing effort…in overtime. Which brings me to my next point…

#3 Best: Overcoming Overtime Games

Bret Bielema can’t win close games. That’s what Wisconsin fans told us when he came, and that’s how it’s looked until this season for the Boss Hog. Even in the 2014 season, the Razorbacks never won a close game. They either blew their opponent out, or lost by scores of 1, 7, 7, and 7. Tough, close losses for the Hogs seemed to be our specialty.

It appeared it would stay that way in 2015. 4 point loss to Toledo, 11 point loss to TTU, and then a 7 point loss in overtime to TAMU. Just par for the course, it seemed. Fans were beginning to wonder if Bielema could get it done in late game situations.

But then a 4 point win on the road (another first for Bret) against Tennessee happened. Wins by 4, 8, and 1 for the Razorbacks down the stretch make it seem like the corner has finally been turned. Sure, we still went and lost by 1 to Mississippi State, but it’s hard not to be happy with Bielema’s progress in winning close games. Even more so when those games go to overtime, which was the case for Auburn and Ole Miss.

Oct 24, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) dives into the end zone to score the winning touchdown during the quadruple overtime against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The mental block that was surely in the minds of these players in the 4th quarter finally melted away, and it made all the difference for the Hogs in November.

Next: Robbed of a Finale and Legendary Performances