FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' quarterbacks had productive days as the Razorbacks closed the first spring under new head coach Bret Bielema with its Red-White Game on Saturday.
Brandon Allen completed 11 of 16 passes for 158 yards working with the first-team offense before halftime and Brandon Mitchell completed 10 of 14 passes for 119 yards with the reserves, leaving room for conversation entering the off-season as to which will replace departed signal caller Tyler Wilson. Both had touchdown passes and Mitchell was intercepted once.
Allen led his team on two scoring possessions, including one culminating in a 37-yard Zach Hocker field goal as time ran out in the first half. The Fayetteville native threw a 26-yard touchdown pass on a fade route to Demetrius Wilson in the first quarter.
Mitchell also led two scoring possessions, including a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Sprinkle shortly before halftime. He nearly led a third scoring drive, but was intercepted by safety TiQuention Coleman at the goal line in the second quarter. Coleman returned the pick 49 yards, nearly giving the defense a scoring play.
The game was scored as offense versus defense, though all-but two field goals were counted toward the White (defense) total. The Red led 20-12 at halftime and won 34-27.
Nate Holmes, who didn't play in the first half, rushed for an 18-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to extend the Red lead to 27-12, but five made field goals between quarters tied the game at 27-all.
Hocker made field goals of 27, 37 and 52 yards before halftime, and 27, 37 and 49 yards in the second half. He attempted a 60-yard field goal, but it fell just short.
John Henson was good on attempts of 48 and 22 yards, but missed a 32-yard attempt off the upright in the first half. He was 2-for-3 in the second half as well, making kicks for 22 and 32, but missing one from 44 yards.
AJ Derby's 35-yard touchdown pass to D'Arthur Cowan on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the Red team a 34-27 lead. Derby, who transferred to Arkansas this semester, completed 1 of 2 passes for 35 yards, a touchdown and was intercepted by Will Hines.
Arkansas' second-team offense had an effective day running the football with power backs Patrick Arinze and Kody Walker. Arinze, a walk-on, had the game's longest run of 21 yards, finishing with 66 yards on nine carries. Walker, who missed most of spring practice recovering from a broken leg suffered last season, rushed for 40 yards on seven carries.
Jonathan Williams finished with nine carries for 29 yards working with the first-team offense.
The announced attendance was 51,088 - a school record for the Red-White Game.