LITTLE ROCK, Ark. ? Tyler Wilson threw for 259 yards and accounted for a pair of touchdowns as No. 14 Arkansas defeated New Mexico 52-3 on Saturday.
Marquel Wade also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown for the Razorbacks (2-0), who now have three special teams' touchdowns in their first two games. Joe Adams returned a pair of punts for touchdowns in the first game.
Wilson's second touchdown was a 7-yard plunge into the end zone late in the first half, during which he barreled over a New Mexico defender. However, the junior didn't return in the second half with concussion-like symptoms and didn't appear on the sidelines until midway through the third quarter.
The Lobos (0-2), who allowed 10 quarterback sacks and lost three fumbles in a season-opening loss to Colorado State, didn't do much better against the Razorbacks. They were outgained 641-255 in total yardage.
Tarean Austin completed 16 of 29 passes for New Mexico, but he managed only 133 yards against a defense that allowed only 79 yards through the air in its opening win.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Razorbacks appeared anything like the efficient offensive team that opened with a win over Missouri State last week. In that victory, Wilson guided Arkansas to 303 yards of offense in four possessions ? totaling 24 points.
Wilson started quickly against New Mexico, guiding the Razorbacks 70 yards in 4 plays. He capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jarius Wright to go up 7-0.
But in his second game as a starter, Wilson then struggled as Arkansas' next drive stalled and resulted in a missed field goal attempt. That was followed by his first interception of the season on the next drive.
Yet the Razorbacks paid no price for their mistakes against the overmatched Lobos, whose lone points came on a 47-yard field goal by James Aho in the first quarter.
Following the field goal, Wade added to the Razorbacks' early season special teams' success when he split the middle of the New Mexico defense for his 85-yard kickoff return. It was the first of the freshman's career, and he celebrated by continuing his sprint through the end zone and back to the Arkansas sideline, where he was mobbed by his teammates.
Wilson led the Razorbacks to three scores to close out the half, including his final touchdown plunge to go up 31-3.
Sophomore Brandon Mitchell took over for Wilson in the second half and finished 8 of 13 passing for 114 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass to Cobi Hamilton.
raleigh nc rice united airlines continental airlines myrtle beach cna delta airlines
No comments:
Post a Comment