Interesting Observations from the Arky Game
Some things I noticed only looking at the 'Play by Play' sheet. LINK
1st Q...
MSU had the ball for a whopping 4:18 throughout the quarter.
Shocked that Ark decided to punt on 4 & 1 on the MSU 32 on their 2nd drive already up a field goal.
2nd Q...
Ark had 49 total yards, but scored 7 points and used 9:22 of clock. (Graham's fumble obviously played huge role here)
Dak's second int came after a 9 play, 54 yard drive. Absolute backbreaker heading into halftime.
3rd Q...
Ark had a 9 play, 18 (yes, 18 b/c of penalties) drive that took 5:05!
Surprised that we couldn't convert on 4th & 1 on the Ark 22 with Dak after running 10 plays and gaining 50 yards.
4th Q...
First play of 4th Q was a False Start (crowd was pumped b/c Journey) -- pushed ball from MSU 20 to 25, and Ark's kicker missed 42 yard field goal 2 plays later.
That goaline stop was nothing short of remarkable. Ark ran 17 plays and took 8:16 of the clock! Last 3 plays were inside MSU's 3 yard line.
Overall...
6 of JRob's 19 carries went for no gain or negative yards.
Best starting field position all night for us was our OWN 28 yard line. (After k/o return to start 2nd half)
State's 4 actual drives in the 2nd half went for 50, 55, 75, and 44 yards. -- 224 total yards
If you take Ark's best 6 drives in terms of T.O.P -- They gained 253 yards on 60 plays in 29:14. -- Average of over 4.2 yds per play and almost 9 yards per minute
With State's best 6 drives -- Gained 333 yards on 52 plays in 16:19 -- Average of 6.4 yds per play and over 20 yds per minute
All that being said.. Arkansas was able to play their game, and we helped them immensely by giving them 3 extra possessions and not converting a 4th & 1 with our Heisman candidate.
