There's no easy way to put it. Last night was a disaster. Nevertheless, we still found a Hog of the week worthy performance.
For the second week in a row, we have an unconventional reason for picking this week's HOTW. He recorded three receptions for 24 yards but left the game before halftime due to an injury. This week's honor goes to Tyrone Broden.
All season long, he's been criticized for his drops. Sometimes, the ball would hit him right in the hands with no one around him. It's been frustrating for fans, especially after some of the catches he made in fall camp. However, in the last two games, Broden has finally started to make those connections, and he's done it while taking some of the most vicious hits of the season.
Two weeks ago against the Vols, Broden only had one catch, but it was late in the game for 22 yards. He was smoked by a defensive back for his troubles but still held on to the ball. If he didn't make that catch, Arkansas wouldn't have driven up the field for a crucial field goal. Last night, he caught his first three targets, including one that he juggled but somehow made the grab.
On one of his missed Targets, the DB made a great play on the ball to knock it down, but on the other target, Broden had control of the ball but was hit toward the upper portion of his body, resulting in a targeting penalty and an incompletion. Controversially, the video judge found that it wasn't targeting, but it was a dangerous hit regardless.
If he's not injured after last night's play, he could have a season like Matt Landers in 2022. It took the former Georgia transfer nearly half a season to be reliable, but he took off and became the leading receiver when it was all said and done. Of course, Broden won't lead the team with Andrew Armstrong playing the way he is, but he could give Taylen Green another reliable target in the future.