Arkansas Razorbacks set for Offensive Test against Visiting Toledo Rockets

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLa

The intensity on the field to start off the 2015 college football season is quickly heating up for the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 2 with a visit from the Toledo Rockets.

The Hogs will travel to their home away from home in Little Rock receiving Mid-American Conference member Toledo. When the Rockets take the field they will be playing their first official game of the season after having their opener called after two quarters of play against Stony Brook due to inclement weather.

Although Toledo did not put a full game together leaving some gaps in their full playbook or how the team may respond in different down and distance situations, what Arkansas can count on is a spread attack that will try to find holes throughout the Razorbacks secondary.

In Week 1, Arkansas held visiting UTEP to 204 yards of total offense and looked impressive getting into the Miners’ backfield recording 11 tackles for a loss. Despite the impressive low yardage numbers constricted by the Razorbacks on the Miners, the Arkansas secondary had lapses of poor tackling which could easily be exploited in upcoming games against higher rated talent.

Toledo Overview

Toledo head coach Matt Franklin will utilize Alabama transfer Phillip Ely under center as the leader of his spread offense. Ely’s 2014 season was cut short to two games after a leg injury against Missouri finishing the season completing 41-of-68 passes for 541 yards with four scores and one interception. His opening game of 2015 was also cut short posting mixed results hitting 8-of-17 passes for 81 yards with an interception.

The Rockets will also be without one of their main weapons, running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt is serving the second of a two-game suspension. In 2014 Hunt rushed for 1,631 yards with 16 touchdowns proving to be a valuable commodity for Toledo’s offense. In Hunt’s absence the Rockets will lean on Damion Jones-Moore as the primary tailback. Moore had 70 yards on five carries against Stony Brook with touchdown runs of 37- and 7-yards.

If available after suffering an ankle injury, Terry Swanson and Marc Remy will be part of the backfield rotation helping opening passing lanes for wide receivers Alonzo Russell, Cody Thompson, and Corey Jones.

Arkansas Overview

When the Razorbacks break from the huddle, look for offensive coordinator Dan Enos to kick the running game up a notch after a so-so performance against UTEP. The Hogs posted 490 yards of total offense with 182 coming on the ground while keeping a great 5.4 yard per carry average. The reality is junior running back Alex Collins ripped off a 70-yard run just before halftime edging the numbers into a favorable position. Take Collins big run away and the Hogs rushed for 112 yards on 33 totes averaging 3.29 yards per carry.

The big news from last week was the noticeable improvement in the passing game with senior quarterback Brandon Allen hitting 14-of-18 attempts for a career-high 308 yards with four scores. Of the four misses were two to junior college transfer Dominique Reed. Reed is a deep-ball threat who can win games of the Razorbacks if Allen can connect. One deep pass was overthrown and the other was about four yards short and offline. Look for Enos to continue pushing the passing attack and work the Allen to Reed connection in when possible.

Final Analysis

Toledo is without their top running back and is in the process of breaking in five new starters along the offensive line. The Hogs pose a tough assignment for Toledo on both sides of the ball. The Rockets will also be short starting defensive end Allen Covington for a violation of unspecified team rules.

Arkansas is further ahead in the passing game than this time last year and further ahead on the defensive side of the ball as well. Attention given to the running game is a must before a Week 3 showdown against Big 12 member Texas Tech.

Prediction: Arkansas 41, Toledo 10

Game Info

Toledo (0-0) at No. 18 Arkansas (1-0)

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Place: War Memorial Stadium

Line: Arkansas -21

Time: 3 p.m. CT

Photo credit: Samantha Baker; No. 3 Alex Collins rushes against UTEP.