When the Game Against TCU was on the Line, the Hogs Went Allen

The Hogs stun the college football world in Fort Worth beating TCU in a stressful double OT game 41-38. Austin “Freaking” Allen… Well, we will get to that later.

Arkansas knew going in that they were going to need to put points on the board to come out of Fort Worth with a win. At first, there did not seem to be too much difficulty. The problem: the early points we are all multiple of 3’s.

Very few Razorbacks fans felt like the 38-yard field goal by Cole Hedlund on the Hogs opening drive would be a secure first step to victory.

Nor did the 27-yard field goal with 12:07 left in the second seem to do the trick. However, having eaten up 6:37 off of the clock, a ball control strategy started having positive thoughts. Yet six points was of little comfort.

Enter Brooks Ellis on the very next drive. A 47-yard touchdown return of a Kenny Hill interception put the Razorbacks in a much more comfortable spot. Arkansas now leads 13-0. This would also be the lead taken in at halftime.

Much like a Kardashian’s Saturday night date, TCU would not be denied. Having deferred to the second half, Gary Patterson’s group started the third quarter with stronger intentions. Kyle Hicks’s 9-yard touchdown run to cap off an 84-yard drive put the Frogs on the board for the first time.

Arkansas would answer later in the third. Austin Allen found Drew Morgan (whom we believe to be one of the best WRs in the SEC) for six. This capped off a quick six-play drive to put the Hogs up 20-17.

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Missed opportunity. Momentum swing. Acid brewing in my stomach.

The fourth quarter seemed to be on instant replay continuously as TCU hit big play, after big play, after big play, after big play… Turpin Time and Time Again. I cannot remember ever hating a person so quickly as I did #25 for the home team, including a kid in third grade that stole my “STAR WARS” lunch box and told the teacher it had been his the entire year. My Kit Kat was in that box you sorry… But I digress. Back to my point: Tackle, special teams. TACKLE. Cover the middle of the field, defense. COVER.

TCU had quickly created a 28-20 lead with a little more than 2:00 remaining. Special props to Kenny Hill for that fabulous run into the end zone… and the throat slash that went with it. Thank you, Kenny. As the words “some people just do not know how to win with class” escaped my lips, you and the little yellow flag gave the Razorbacks something on which to build.

Sep 10, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (left) scores the game-winning touchdown in double overtime against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The drive itself was impressive, yet the two-point conversion is the Christmas present we all want to open last. Respectively, Keon Hatcher made a move that made a defender (as either Joe Tessitore or Todd Blackledge stated) “spin into the ground”. Forgive me if I quoted that a little incorrectly, I was too excited to write it down. This led to the aforementioned two-point attempt… and conversion. A quick handoff to an in motion Drew Morgan, a flip reverse to Keon Hatcher, and then a throw from Hatcher to a wide open Austin Allen in the end zone. We were tied, folks.

Dang that KaVontae Turpin kid!!! After a monster kick return, TCU was poised to let the clock run down and end it with a field goal. Ryan Graf needs only make a 28-yard field goal with 16-seconds left to seal a Big 12 victory over the SEC. Not tonight, Ryan. Kudos to Coach Bret Bielema for having retained a final timeout to use late in the game. Following the freeze, a big mitt from 6’10” Dan Skipper (who had been sent onto the line) was not having any of that. And it must be said, that if Dan Skipper’s left hand was 9-feet in the air, Jeremy Sprinkle’s was 11, just in case.

The rest was an edge of your seat double-overtime. Arkansas went first and their touchdown was matched with TCU’s. In the second, TCU was only able to salvage a field goal for a lead but minimal security. Fast forward to 3rd and Goal from the five. Austin Allen took a planned QB keeper three yards in before being met by the Horned Frogs defense. Legs churning, dedication emitting, Allen pressed forward. And, with a little help from a few Razorbacks, Allen crossed the goal line and sealed a victory for Arkansas. Time to breath again. Thank you, Austin “Freaking” Allen and to everyone that contributed.

must read: Predicting the SEC 2016-Week

Great job by the players, the coaching staff, and even the fans in attendance. I must extend my apologies to my desk. After a slap in the fourth quarter that would make Mike Tyson proud, I felt guilty taking out my internal rage physically. I know that after a Hogs victory, a little massage, and a bottle of Old English, all will be in harmony again.

Texas State looms. Hopefully, overconfidence does not. Go HOGS!!! We are always proud.

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