Instant Replay

Rawleigh Williams paves way to victory

Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams carries the ball during a game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Fayetteville.
Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams carries the ball during a game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' game-winning touchdown drive in Saturday's 21-20 victory over Louisiana Tech began with five consecutive carries by sophomore tailback Rawleigh Williams.

"I didn't really get tired," Williams said. "I was kind of expecting that going into that drive.

"I knew mentally I had to prepare myself for what I needed to do."

Williams had gains of 7, 13, 10 and 7 yards before Louisiana Tech's defensive stopped him for no gain, but his runs helped open up the passing game for quarterback Austin Allen, who had five completions for 43 yards to finish off the 77-yard drive.

"Rawleigh was huge for us," Allen said. "The way he came out today, he was running through people, he was running hard.


"He's going to be a workhorse for us, and he'll continue to get carries."

Williams had a career-high 24 carries for 96 yards in his first game since suffering a season-ending neck injury against Auburn last year.

"It's been a tough road, but that's definitely a good way to come back and kind of say, 'Man, I'm back,' " Williams said. "To have that touchdown is a great feeling and to have this win today is a great feeling.

"I'm just trying to improve every week and continue with the season."

Injury report

Receiver Jared Cornelius, defensive back Kevin Richardson and tight end Austin Cantrell were all injured and not cleared to return for the Razorbacks.

Coach Bret Bielema said he did not have specific injury information for the three and was only told they could not get back in the game.

Cantrell was injured while making the tackle on a collision during a 32-yard punt return by Louisiana Tech's Trent Taylor late in the third quarter. Cantrell did not tackle Taylor but smashed into a Louisiana Tech blocker so hard that the Bulldog collided with Taylor and knocked him down.

Cornelius, who caught a 13-yard touchdown pass that put Arkansas ahead 14-7 in the second quarter, did not record a touch after being knocked to the turf on an end around for no gain late in the third quarter. The junior had three carries for 13 yards and the touchdown came on his only catch.

Richardson tied for the team high with seven tackles.

Where was Whaley?

Arkansas freshman tailback Devwah Whaley was among the team's most heralded signees, and he did well in preseason practice but had just 2 carries for 1 yard Saturday.

Coach Bret Bielema said Whaley wasn't hindered by a shoulder injury that limited him during fall camp and that the coaches felt more comfortable playing sophomore Rawleigh Williams and senior Kody Walker.

"When you're in a situation as tight as that game was, you have two experienced guys," Bielema said. "If you put [Whaley] in there and things don't work, you can make a player that age set back in his career multiple games.

"You'd rather just go with guys that have been there a little bit and continue to work him into practice, get him where he needs to be."

For starters

Players making their first career starts for the Razorbacks on Saturday were quarterback Austin Allen, tailback Rawleigh Williams, guards Hjalte Froholdt and Jake Raulerson, offensive tackle Colton Jackson and senior defensive end Karl Roesler.

Raulerson, a graduate transfer from Texas, started five games for the Longhorns in 2014, including the Texas Bowl against Arkansas.

Flag bearers

The Razorbacks are continuing to have their players run onto the field carrying the state of Arkansas and United States flags.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw carried the Arkansas flag with safety Santos Ramirez carrying the U.S. flag.

Tretola back

Sebastian Tretola, an All-American guard for the Razorbacks last season who is now with the Tennessee Titans, was on Arkansas' sideline for Saturday's game.

Family ties

Lou Holtz likely is the first UA Sports Hall of Honor inductee who rooted for the visiting team.

Holtz's son, Skip, is Louisiana Tech's coach.

"I'm picking Louisiana Tech to beat Arkansas," Lou Holtz said after Friday night's induction banquet. "People say that'd be an upset.

"No, an upset is what my wife would be if I picked against our son."

Holtz, who received a loud ovation when he was introduced to the crowd at halftime, joked that he had talked to Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long about the Razorbacks taking it easy on Louisiana Tech.

"I told Mr. Long we've got an agreement," Holtz said. "If Arkansas doesn't run it up on Skip, he won't run it up on Arkansas."

Nice job

Louisiana Tech redshirt freshman quarterback J'mar Smith completed 19 of 31 passes for 212 yards and had a 9-yard rushing touchdown.

Senior quarterback Ryan Higgins had been expected to play at some point after not starting because of his arrest for driving while intoxicated Aug. 5, but Smith's play kept him on the bench the whole game.

Two-minute drill

• Arkansas improved to 4-0 against Louisiana Tech.

• The Bulldogs' four sacks Saturday were the most by an Arkansas opponent since Alabama had four in 2014.

• Arkansas improved to 96-23-4 in season openers and 99-20-4 in home openers.

• Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema improved to 11-0 in openers, including 7-0 when he was at Wisconsin.

Sports on 09/04/2016

Upcoming Events