Some random thoughts after the Razorbacks historic 35-24 collapse to Virginia Tech on Thursday in Charlotte.
The Good
- The Hogs historic collapse Thursday was made even more perplexing due in part to the fantastic first half they played. The defense held the Hokies to 180 total yards, while the offense moved the ball seemingly at will. Austin Allen was a sharp as we’ve seen him, posting 13-for-16 for 215 PaYds and 2TDs in the first half. His 13.4 yards per attempt was off the charts on the efficiency meter. It was fun while it lasted.
The Bad
- The day got off to a banner start with the news of the Jeremy Sprinkle suspension. Sprinkle took it upon himself to liberate a few more items from the Belk Bowl shopping spree afforded the players this week. Players were given a $450 gift card AND a 20% off managers discount to buy whatever they wanted. Apparently that wasn’t enough for the senior tight end, who may have derailed a certain NFL career over socks, underwear, shirts and two wallets.
- The Razorbacks 24-point second half collapse was the worst in the modern era. The 21-point comeback by Louisiana-Monroe in the famous John L. Smith year of 2012 appears to be the previous mark. This one will not soon be forgotten.
- Tommy Craft of ESPN 96.3 said it best…the Hogs were the second worst unit on the field Thursday. The Big 12 officiating crew was without question the worst we have seen in a good while. From the endless conversations after each call, to the famous 5+ minute delay to figure out what the rule was for an inadvertent whistle, the group certainly added to the frustration for both teams.
- ESPN announcers Mike Patrick and Ed Cunningham…enough said.
The Ugly
- Senior wide receiver Drew Morgan had a ‘memorable’ finale for sure. Morgan managed to fumble twice, once through the end zone after a 74-yard reception that ended up being called a touchback. Up 24-7 in the third quarter, the score would have potentially ‘righted the Hogs ship’ and put them back up by 24. Morgan capped off his evening by being called for a flagrant personal foul, and ejected for spitting in the face of a Virginia Tech player. I guess if you are going to go out…go out in flames. A fitting end to a historic day.
Of course, we can’t possibly mention everything that was “Good, Bad and Ugly.” What did we leave out?
