FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney is proud of the progress his group has made as it races toward the end of the 2014 season.
The Razorbacks produced a pair of 1,000-yard rushers for just the third time in school history. Quarterback Brandon Allen was more efficient as a passer and the entire group cut down its critical mistakes. As a result, an offense that averaged just 20.7 points a game last season put up 32 to help the Razorbacks win six games.
"I just think we played cleaner and a little bit better football most of the season than we did the previous year," Chaney said last week.
Of course, Chaney also is the first to admit Arkansas remains far from where it wants to be as the Razorbacks (6-6) prepare to wrap up the season by playing Texas (6-6) in the Texas Bowl. And one of the areas he's hoping the Hogs can improve during bowl practices is how much it accomplishes in the second half after the Razorbacks were shut down after the break in its 21-14 loss to Missouri on Nov. 28.
"I think obviously we've got to pick up our production in the second half," Chaney said. "We're evaluating that and seeing what we can do a little bit better in that regard. All in all just all the little nuances of everything. Every particular play has problems to it and we try to work on that. If there's anything chronic that shows up in our self-scout, we try to get it worked on right now."
The Razorbacks got off to a great start against the Tigers, scoring a touchdown on their opening possession. Arkansas got in the end zone a little later, too, in building a 14-3 lead that was eventually trimmed to 14-6 before halftime.
Arkansas couldn't move the ball in the second half and watched its lead evaporate in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Brandon Allen's oblique injury played a role in the struggles. So did turnovers and other offensive mistakes.
"I think we have so many little tiny things," Allen said last week. "False starts and little penalties that are bringing back drives and getting us off schedule. I think once we clean up just a little nit picky things our offense will be much better."
But the second-half struggles weren't isolated to the Missouri loss. Arkansas scored seven offensive touchdowns in the second half of its eight SEC games. Four of those came in the 45-32 loss to Georgia, when the Hogs trailed 38-6 at halftime.
It's a big reason the Razorbacks enter the postseason ranked 12th in the conference in scoring during SEC games (20.6 points). Chaney said it stands out, but doesn't believe the scoring struggles in the second half of conference games overshadowed what the Razorbacks have accomplished on offense this season.
Arkansas improved in every major statistical category. In addition to the scoring improvement, the Razorbacks were better in total yards (357.2 to 410.6), rushing yards (208.7 to 220.2) and passing yards (148.5 to 190.3) in 2014.
"As a coach you're always dwelling on the things you want to do better," Chaney said. "But I'm proud of the fact I think our kids show up and play every week. We've gotten better and cut down on our mistakes. We're a long way from where we want to be from a production standpoint. But for the most part, as a coach, if you hang your hat on them playing hard and doing what you're asking them to do at the best of their abilities you're comfortable with that. I'm comfortable in that fact.
"I'm not comfortable where we need to be with production. We need to score more than we've been able to get done some games and we'll continue to work on that."
Of course, Arkansas doesn't have a break in its bowl opponent.
Texas has struggled on offense this season, but is bowl eligible largely because of coach Charlie Strong's defense. The Longhorns have been stingy most of the season and, at least on paper, look like another big test for the Razorbacks.
"They're almost like an SEC defense," Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry said. "They're big, fast, physical -- a lot of athletes on the field that can really run. It is going to be a big match-up for us, a big challenge."
The Razorbacks want to produce after struggling late against Missouri, though.
Allen said the Razorbacks plan to make an impression in their final performance.
"We want to be the most prepared offense on the field," Allen said. "That starts with film and getting great reps in practice. I think having these couple weeks to prepare is going to help us tremendously. We're going to be looking at everything that they might come out against us with. It's our job to be prepared for it all.
Hogs Add D-Lineman
Jeremiah Ledbetter, a junior college defensive lineman, signed a national letter of intent with the Razorbacks on Wednesday.
Ledbetter will enroll at Arkansas next month after spending the past two seasons at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Ledbetter was a second-team National Junior College Athletic Association All American as a sophomore after recording 76 tackles, 24 tackles for losses and 16 sacks.
"Jeremiah is another fantastic addition to our growing 2015 class," Bielema said in a statement Wednesday. "He will bring experience and physicality to our defensive line and joins a group of outstanding future Razorbacks that will make an immediate impact with our team. The sky is the limit with Jeremiah and we can't wait to see what he'll bring during spring practice on and off the field."
Rivals.com rates Ledbetter as a four-star prospect on a five-star scale. He chose Arkansas after also receiving scholarship offers from Georgia, Oklahoma State, Florida, South Carolina, Auburn and Miami.
Ledbetter will be the fifth 2015 Arkansas signee on campus in January, joining quarterback Ty Storey, offensive lineman Zach Rogers, defensive end Daytrieon Dean and defensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt. The other four have signed financial aid agreements with the program and are with the Razorbacks this week.
Ragnow Recognized
Arkansas center Frank Ragnow was named to the Sporting News' Freshman All-American team on Wednesday.
It was the second postseason honor for Ragnow, who also was named to the SEC's All-Freshman team last week. Ragnow did not start a game this season, but logged more than 200 snaps at center behind first-year starter Mitch Smothers.
Sports on 12/18/2014