Hogs fool Aggies on 3rd down

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arkansas Razorbacks offense gave Texas A&M’s defense some new looks during Saturday’s 50-43 loss in overtime to Texas A&M, and virtually all of the schemes worked.

Razorbacks offensive coordinator Dan Enos inserted redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Kelley (6-7, 270) and freshman tailback Chase Hayden (5-9, 180) to take Shotgun snaps in short-yardage situations after struggling against TCU.

Kelley converted a third and 1 and a second and 2 on runs of 13 and 2 yards, respectively, on a touchdown drive in the first quarter.

Kelley capped that 82yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to David Williams.

“I think we executed that formation perfectly,” Williams said. “Kudos to Coach Enos for even thinking of something like that. It was great.”

Kelley converted first downs with runs of 3 yards in the third quarter and 2 yards in overtime as well.

“I love it,” senior quarterback Austin Allen said. “Whenever he gets in, he brings some energy, and that’s his personality. He’s going to be that guy pumping up the crowd.

“He played a heck of a game where his job was to get the first downs, do some different things and he did it. I think he played really well.”

Hayden had a 22-yard run after taking a direct snap on the Hogs’ second play of the game, and he finished with 77 yards on 13 carries, several of them from a WildHog formation.

“You see that burst and you see his vision,” Allen said. “He’s a guy who’s going to continue to get more touches.”

One gadget play that did not succeed was a flea-flicker pass on Arkansas’ third snap. Allen handed off to Williams, who started up the middle before pitching back to Allen, whose deep throw for Deon Stewart went incomplete.