FAYETTEVILLE - Quarterback Brandon Allen’s efficiency rating at the time of his shoulder injury in Week 3 was 166.12, a figure that was good enough to rank No. 19 in the country.
Since his return against Texas A&M, while continuing to play through a sore shoulder with reduced practice reps, Allen’s effectiveness has dropped substantially.
Allen has completed 38 of 89 passes for 476 yards with 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in losses to Texas A&M, Florida and South Carolina. He compiled 42.7 percent completions and an 89.75 efficiency rating - a calculation that takes into account completion percentage, touchdowns, interceptions and yards per pass - in those three games, dropping his overall numbers to 48.1 percent completions and a 115.02 efficiency.
Allen went 4 of 12 for 30 yards last week against South Carolina.
“You know, those don’t bug me as much as the losses do, for sure,” Allen said. “Sure, you see them and you want to do better than that, but the biggest thing that bugs me is the losses, not the passing efficiency.”
Coach Bret Bielema pointed to Allen’s limited Tuesday practice and no participation on Thursdays as a factor in the passing game’s downturn in recent weeks.
Allen said his shoulder has gotten progressively better, to the point he was full-go Tuesday.
“It’s pretty much back to full strength for me,” he said.
Show your I.D.
Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, asked what the unit’s identity is, repeated what he’s said since the coaching staff arrived.
He said the Hogs want to be a downhill running team that can work the play action pass and a vertical game.
“At times that shows up.
At other times it doesn’t,” he said. “It’s hard to say what our identity was. We didn’t play very well this past Saturday, but up until then I felt like we were heading in the right direction sometimes.
“It’s just a work in progress.”
One for 20
The Arkansas wideouts are coming off a game in which their only catch was Javontee Herndon’s 20-yard catch and run on the opening drive. The receivers have had numerous drops in the past two games.
“They’re disappointed in the way that we’ve played, both as a unit and as a team,” receivers coach Michael Smith said. “These kids are battling. They’ve been through a lot, and that’s not an excuse.
“We’ve just got to learn how to deal with adversity and play better.”
Smith said the unit has to be more focused on the little details that make a play successful.
“Obviously we’re not there yet, but I’m optimistic,” he said. “I’m not going to be satisfied until we’re where we need to be as a receiving corps.”
Only 20 left
Kicker Zach Hocker is one of just 20 players in the FBS ranks to remain perfect on field-goal attempts this season.
Hocker is 8 of 8 on field goals, including a career long of 53 yards.
The only kickers in the nation to remain perfect with more made field goals are Andy Phillips of Utah (11 of 11), Jake Elliot of Memphis (10 of 10) and Brian Davis of Arkansas State (9 of 9).
First time
Alabama has posted many illustrious feats in its football history, but until last week the Crimson Tide had never had a 300-yard passer and a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game.
AJ McCarron threw for 359 yards, T.J. Yeldon rushed for 124 yards and Kenyan Drake ran for 108 in a 48-7 victory over Kentucky.
4th down funk
South Carolina converted 5 for 5 fourth-down conversions, all on fourth and-short yardage, to help in its 52-7 rout of the Razorbacks.
Arkansas’ opponents have been successful on 9 of 11 (81.8 percent) fourth-down plays, a figure that ranks No. 117 in the country.
The most painful fourth down conversions were by Rutgers, which converted a fourth-and-4 en route to its first touchdown with 39 seconds left in the first half, then connected for a 33-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-12 as part of its late comeback for a 28-24 victory.
Not laughing
Nick Saban said Monday there has been no change in the status of safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, who has missed the past two games on a disciplinary suspension.
Alabama has announced only that Clinton-Dix violated team rules, but media outlets have reported he received a loan of less than $500 from assistant strength coach Corey Harris in violation of NCAA rules.
Saban said Clinton-Dix, who has started 14 games, is working on the scout team.
“I think he’s done as good a job at trying to practice and continue to improve … as anyone could,” Saban said. “I’m sure it’s a difficult circumstance.”
Sophomore Landon Collins has started at free safety.
Henry on list
Tight end Hunter Henry was named Tuesday to the midseason John Mackey Award watch list.
Henry is one of two freshmen and one of three SEC players on the 29-man list. The 6-6 freshman from Pulaski Academy is the only SEC freshman with a 100-yard performance this season.
He ranks second for the Razorbacks with 14 catches for 276 yards and 1 touchdown. Henry leads all freshman tight ends in receiving yardage, and ranks sixth nationally.
Named for NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey, the award has been in existence since 2000. Arkansas’ D.J. Williams won it in 2010.
Sports, Pages 22 on 10/16/2013