After consecutive losses to conference foes Ole Miss and Florida, Arkansas got back on track in a big way on Saturday with a 63-27 homecoming route over Eastern Michigan.
Arkansas receiver Joe Adams returned to the field to catch three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns after missing three games when he suffered a stroke the week of the Auburn game in early October. The result: Arkansas dominated the Eagles to even their record at 4-4.
Broderick Green had a huge day for the Razorbacks, breaking a school record with a 99-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and finishing the day with 131 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
Arkansas was up 42-0 at halftime and after Seth Armbrust blocked an Eastern Michigan punt and grabbed it for the score early in the third quarter, the Hogs grabbed their largest lead of the night at 49-0.
Eastern Michigan scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to add a few more gray hairs to Willy Robinson’s mustache, but the game was really never in question as Arkansas was able to play several reserves in the game on the way to victory.
Next week, the Razorbacks face one of the biggest games of the season in a pivotal matchup against Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas likely needs to win one or both of its remaining conference games against South Carolina and Mississippi State to secure a bowl berth, and the crucial 21 extra practices that come along with bowl eligibility heading into next season.
If they aren’t able to beat South Carolina and Mississippi State, the Hogs will have to beat a tough LSU team at the end of the year to secure a bowl bid (assuming they take care of business vs. Troy). Arkansas would be bowl eligible with 6 wins (which they could reach by beating Troy and winning one of the three remaining conference games), but some believe that Arkansas may need to secure 7 wins to be sure of a bowl berth this year.
The South Carolina game will kick off at 11:21 am on Saturday, and will be televised by the SEC Network.
Photo courtesy Sara Blancett
