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Razorbacks Run Past UAB In Homecoming Rout

Arkansas scores on first six possessions in rout against Blazers

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – It didn’t take long for Arkansas to put a three game losing streak behind them.

The Razorbacks scored on each of their first six drives, taking a 38-0 lead, and coasted to a 45-17 over UAB on Homecoming.

Jonathan Williams set a career high with 153 yards rushing and started the scoring onslaught with a 3-yard run on the game’s first drive.

“I really thought our guys came out ready to play,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. “They responded well after last week against Georgia. Fall break came at a good time for us, we had some more time on Monday and Tuesday with class out to really focus we had a time to look at our team and they responded with a good week of practice.”

Arkansas rushed for 273 yards while Brandon Allen threw for 205 yards on 15-of-24 passing before being relieved in the fourth quarter. Allen had touchdown passes of 17 (Williams) and 15 (Jeremy Sprinkle) to highlight his afternoon.

“I give Arkansas all the credit in the first half,” UAB coach Bill Clark said. “They were as good as advertised.”

The biggest surprise came early in the third quarter as Arkansas lined up for a field goal but shifted into a swinging gate formation. The snap then went to 350-pound Sebastian Tretola who hit a wide open Alan D’Appollonio for a touchdown, putting the Hogs up 28-0.

“We ran the play and he snapped me the ball and everything went slow motion from there,” Tretola said. “I have a whole new found respect for Brandon Allen, you know what, because it gets hectic back there. I mean D’Appollonio got open and I made the throw.”

Alex Collins picked up 82 yards rushing and added a first quarter touchdown while Kody Walker’s rushing touchdown was his first since the 2012 season opener.

Adam McFain took over kicking duties for the Hogs on Saturday and was a perfect 6-of-6 on extra points and added a 49-yard field goal to give Arkansas a 38-0 lead early in the second half. Punt return issues again arose as Arkansas’s only turnover came as D.J. Dean muffed a punt. Demetrius Wilson also muffed a punt but the ball went out of the end zone for an Arkansas touchback.

Two of UAB’s three scores were direct results of big plays on special teams as well. Jamarcus Nelson returned an Arkansas punt to the Razorbacks’ 10-yard line, setting up a 47-yard field goal then Nelson returned a kickoff 100 yards for the Blazers’ first touchdown of the game. Nelson finished with 166 return yards on the day.

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