Arkansas rides Alex Collins, defense to critical comeback at Tennessee

One team had to win. That was the lone guarantee in the Misery Bowl on Saturday night, as Arkansas and Tennessee met for the right to avoid being labeled "SEC's most disappointing team not named Auburn."
Both teams had mucked around in fourth quarter (Tennessee had been outscored 35-17). Both had blown leads. Both had struggled mightily in the red zone despite talented offensive players. Both had been painfully unable to close out games. Both coaches (Bret Bielema and Butch Jones) had been justifiably criticized for late-game decisions.
And both took the field Saturday night with their seasons on the brink, hoping to avoid 0-2 starts to SEC play.
The fourth quarter lived up to the billing, as neither team seemed willing to take charge. But Arkansas' defense and running back Alex Collins (154 rushing yards, four touchdowns) refused to relent as the Hogs prevailed 24-20 in a game that could not have started any worse for them. Tennessee returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and jumped ahead 14-0 after less than seven minutes. But, as it did twice in the past three weeks, the Vols' double-digit lead slipped away thanks in large part to an anemic offense. Tennessee managed just two field goals the rest of the way and just 100 yards in the second half.
Arkansas, meanwhile, executed the ball-control game plan it wanted in the second half, even if it didn't have the points to show for it. Although the Razorbacks' mystifying struggles in the red zone continued, they kept the ball and moved the chains just enough as Bret Bielema picked up his first road SEC victory.

 

What the win means for Arkansas: There's still a little hope in Hog Country, at least for a bowl trip. Arkansas' 1-3 start and a brutal upcoming schedule (as Bielema reminded us last month) made six wins seem unlikely. But Saturday night marked a big step, especially given the Hogs' remaining road schedule (Alabama, Ole Miss and Auburn). The good news is Arkansas has controlled the tempo in consecutive games, letting one slip away against Texas A&M and holding on against Tennessee. But that's an encouraging sign heading into next Saturday's road showdown with Alabama and the suddenly electric Jake Coker. It will take a much crisper performance to win in Tuscaloosa, but Arkansas heads in with some confidence, especially on defense. Tevin Beanum and the defensive line had a very strong performance against the Vols.
What the loss means for Tennessee: The doubt has to be seeping in for Jones and his players, even if they don't admit it. They simply can't hold a lead, and the offense repeatedly disappears in crunch time. Tennessee isn't a team built for comebacks, but it has enough playmakers, even with the recent injuries, to deliver more points. Jones doesn't seem to trust Dobbs to make plays with his arm, and when Tennessee needed an offensive spark late Saturday, nobody provided it. The Vols face a must-win next week against another emotionally wounded team, Georgia, before visiting Alabama on Oct. 24. It will be another tense week for Jones, whose message seems to ring hollow with every heartbreaking loss.
Unsung hero: Arkansas won with defense and the run game, but it needed a lift in the passing game with its group of receivers decimated by injuries. Junior wide receiver Drew Morgan provided it with five receptions for 110 yards, including a 52-yarder to set up Arkansas' first touchdown. Morgan has become Allen's top target.
Say what? Arkansas mystifying red-zone touchdown-scoring woes continued Saturday, but the Hogs had a chance to take a 27-20 lead midway through the fourth quarter. But rather than attempt a 28-yard field goal on fourth-and-4, Bielema called a fake and Adam McFain was brought down short of the marker. It didn't cost Arkansas, but Bielema would have taken more heat if Tennessee had rallied for the go-ahead touchdown.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/107792/arkansas-rides-alex-collins-defense-to-critical-comeback-at-tennessee