PISCATAWAY, N.J. - A year ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks were basically manhandled by Rutgers.
Saturday, with an all-new coaching staff, it was a different story. Same end result, but much more respectable because they never quit fighting.
Instead of being left shell shocked like they were last season in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks came away with a heart-wrenching road defeat, losing a 24-7 second-half lead when it couldn’t stop Gary Nova’s passing.
All the Razorbacks’ talk of owning the fourth quarter came back to bite them in the behind when they were outscored 14-0 in the final period and lost the lead with 5:18 to play on a touchdown pass.
It was the only time they trailed.
It was a strange game, with both teams getting a touchdown from either their defense or special teams.
Luck seemed to be on the Hogs’ side until midway through the third quarter when Nova, who looked like a Heisman Trophy winner last year in Fayetteville, completed 3 of 4 passes for 100 yards - it was a 98-yard drive that included a Razorbacks sack - to cut the Hogs’ lead to 24-21.
The Scarlet Knights forced a punt, then Janarion Grant returned a 42-yard punt 47 yards to the Arkansas 33. Six plays later, Nova threw his third touchdown pass to set the final score, 28-24.
Arkansas put it all on the line and played its heart out against a big, strong and fast Rutgers team that never lost its composure even after falling behind by 17 with 8:38 to play in the third quarter.
A 58-yard punt return by Grant for a touchdown with 2:14 to play in the third quarter was a red flag, and his 47-yard return all but buried the Hogs.
Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney squeezed everything he could out of his offense, and along with a truckload of luck the Razorbacks led 24-14 going into the final period.
Chaney mixed and matched plays for reserve quarterback AJ Derby, who started out tight but settled down when he realized Chaney was going to keep him out of pressure situations the best he could.
Arkansas’ coaches called for a fake punt in the first half that had punter Sam Irwin-Hill passing for 24 yards and a first down.
Chaney called reverses, a direct snap and a tailback pass, which resulted in a touchdown. On a day when Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams were penned up by the Rutgers defense, Chaney threw everything but the team bus at the Scarlet Knights and ended up with 283 yards and two touchdowns.
It just wasn’t going to be enough when the defense dropped two interceptions, one that would have led to an easy waltz into the end zone. Penalties also would be critical and eventually fatal.
Rutgers tried to shoot itself in the foot with three turnovers, but in the end the Hogs lost to the better team.
There was definite improvement from a year ago.
As sure as Rutgers never gave up Saturday, neither did the Razorbacks. They took advantage of anything and everything the Scarlet Knights gave them, but their inability to get pressure on Nova and cover receivers in the fourth quarter caught up with them.
Nova completed 7 of 13 passes for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns in the final quarter.
The bottom line for the Razorbacks is this coaching staff gives them a chance to be contenders instead of pretenders.
The reality is that if Arkansas were a team ready to compete for the SEC title, the coach would still be John L. Smith.
The Razorbacks received a dose of big-time football for the first time this season, and they fought hard until the bitter end.
What Bret Bielema and company will do now is try to get a little better as they enter the hardest part of their schedule.
Sports, Pages 23 on 09/22/2013