Brother succeeds brother at QB

At Arkansas, Austin Allen replaces the graduated Brandon.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — Austin Allen has been in this situation before, taking over at quarterback following the graduation of his older brother, Brandon.

The last time the younger Allen did so, he led Fayetteville High School to back-toback state championships.

It’s a scenario Arkansas’ coaches would love nothing more than to see repeat itself on the collegiate level over the next two seasons, particularly after naming Austin Allen the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback this spring.

“I told him, ‘Now that you’ve been named the starter, the hard part starts,’” Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. “’You’ve got to keep it.’”

Allen took his first major step toward exactly that on Saturday, completing 13-of-19 passes for 141 yards in Arkansas’ spring-ending Red-White scrimmage.

The scrimmage w as set up largely as the starters against the backups. And though the 6-foot-1, 208pound junior didn’t throw a touchdown pass, his leadership during his coming-out party for many Arkansas fans was enough to leave Bielema satisfied entering his first fall without Brandon Allen as his starting quarterback for the Razorbacks.

“I think the guys on the team, they respond to him,” Bielema said. “... They have a certain amount of trust and faith in him.”

Austin Allen played sparingly the last two seasons behind his older brother, but he entered the spring as the clear favorite to earn the starting job thanks to his three years of experience — including the last two seasons as a backup to his older brother.

Allen attempted just three passes last season, completing one for a touchdown, and he’s 9-of-19 passing for 188 yards in his career while waiting for the chance to take over for his older brother.

It’s a situation he experienced as a sophomore in high school while Brandon Allen was the senior starter, and it’s one Austin Allen could have avoided by signing with any number of other colleges.

However, the opportunity to attend Arkansas — less than a mile away from his high school and where his father was an assistant coach — was something Allen never really wanted to pass up.

“When I signed here, I always wanted to be the starting quarterback,” Allen said. “That was my dream growing up.”

Allen’s best throw on Saturday was a 27-yard completion down the middle of the field to senior wide receiver Keon Hatcher, a throw down to the 1-yard line that set up a touchdown moments later.

The junior also misfired on several other throws, which he said will serve as motivation throughout the summer as he takes over as the leader of offseason workouts for his older brother.

“He’s a confident kid, he carries himself well,” Bielema said. “He’s not cocky, he’s confident, and I think there’s a big difference.”

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