Hogs Riding Wave Of Momentum

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams considered an early entry into the 2015 NFL Draft.

The junior said he didn't think about it long, though. Not after the way Arkansas wrapped up the 2014 season with three wins in its final four games, including the 31-7 victory against Texas in the last week's Texas Bowl.

"It was definitely an easy decision when I sat down and started thinking about all the things that we've been through as a team and how well we're playing right now," Williams said last Monday. "This (Texas) game just cements that in my mind.

"I didn't want to be one of those guys to look back and see the Arkansas Razorbacks winning 10, 11, 12 games and regretting not being part of that."

Arkansas still has a long road to get there, but the program is brimming with confidence after wrapping up its second season under coach Bret Bielema with a dominant effort against the Longhorns.

The Texas Bowl championship helped the Razorbacks (7-6) secure their first winning season since 2011 and did much more than that. Arkansas now enters the offseason riding the momentum of the big finish as it builds for next fall.

"We made a statement, and hopefully it propels us into next year," Arkansas defensive lineman Taiwan Johnson said. "We want to show the world Arkansas is making improvement and we're trying to get back to the level where we should be."

The Texas Bowl certainly helped even if it came against a Texas program in rebuilding mode under first-year coach Charlie Strong.

Arkansas' dominance was impressive. The Razorbacks set the program's bowl record in limiting the Longhorns to 59 yards. Williams and Alex Collins combined to rush for 181 yards, while quarterback Brandon Allen was named the game's most valuable player after throwing for 160 yards with two touchdowns.

The 24-point win also was Arkansas' second-largest margin of victory in a postseason game. The Hogs beat Oklahoma by 25 points in the 1978 Orange Bowl.

Bielema is optimistic it's a sign of bigger things to come.

"We're going to be a good football team," Bielema said. "We've got a lot of people back. I think a lot of guys in our division lose some players. We really don't have a lot of character issues or things that our kids get themselves in predicaments away from the game. So we'll continue to be very, very respectful of that. To get through with the academic success we had with every kid being eligible, not only for the bowl game, but no restrictions going into the spring or fall camp -- that says a lot about our kids, their work ethic and their mentality.

"Arkansas is not just a good program now, it's not even close to where it's going to be and it'll be a lot of fun to get there."

It took Arkansas some time to have their progress show up in wins, but the breakthrough came in back-to-back shutouts against LSU and Ole Miss in November.

The Razorbacks went 3-1 over their final four games with the only loss at Missouri (21-14). Arkansas outscored opponents 92-28 in its final four games.

"I think we showed our perseverance," Williams said. "There were times where things just didn't feel like they were going our way when we felt like we were playing good football. But we persevered and we were able to close strong."

The defense led the Razorbacks through their successful stretch, capped by its overwhelming performance against Texas. The 59 yards allowed was the fourth-fewest surrendered by Arkansas during a game in the program's history. It helped the Razorbacks wrap up the season allowing 19.2 points and 323.4 yards a game, which was the program's best defensive performance since 2006.

Arkansas must replace key leaders in outgoing seniors Trey Flowers, Martrell Spaight and Alan Turner. Defensive tackle Darius Philon is considering the NFL Draft as well, although Bielema said last week during a radio appearance on "Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly" he planned to visit the redshirt sophomore in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday. But Arkansas believes its defensive success will continue next season.

"I know we played championship defense this year," Johnson said. "It's been fun playing with these guys. We're a great defense. It's sad to see some seniors go, but I think the leadership that they showed us and the preparation they showed us will help propel us into next year to try to do the same thing."

Arkansas believes it can take another step offensively, too, with its key players back.

Williams (1,190 yards) and Collins (1,100 yards) will be a 1-2 punch in the backfield for the third straight year. Allen, who threw for 2,285 yards and 20 touchdowns with 5 interceptions, will return for his third season as a starter. And Hatcher, who filed paperwork to the NFL Advisory Board, will return as Arkansas' leading receiver after pulling in 43 catches for 558 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2014.

Arkansas also is losing just one starter on its offensive line (right tackle Brey Cook).

"I can't wait for next season because we've got something big coming," Hatcher said after the Texas Bowl win. "There's a lot of momentum I feel like. We had those two big SEC wins at the end of the year and this big victory over an old-school rival.

"I mean, I feel like 2015 the sky's not even the limit."

Williams said that's the feeling around the program after turning the corner the second half of the season. The Razorbacks had plenty of confidence entering the Texas Bowl and left Houston with even more after a strong performance.

"It's definitely going to be a stepping stone into next season," Williams said. "We wanted to finish out with a win to propel us into next season and I feel like we did that. With a win this dominant, we have a great offseason ahead. A lot of people are going to head into it with a lot of confidence. We're going to be ready for next year."