Razorbacks drop the ball against Horned Frogs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Arkansas had a hyped crowd, beautiful weather and an opponent willing to give it a chance at victory.

Except it didn't hold up its end of the bargain.

In front of 73,668 fans and a CBS national television audience, No. 23 TCU instead cruised to a 28-7 victory in the campus opener for the Razorbacks, who opened their season in Little Rock last Thursday.

“I wish I had words to describe the way I feel and the way our team feels,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. “Very disappointed in our performance, especially the second half.”

Arkansas (1-1) prides itself in running the football, but only managed 129 yards on the ground on Saturday, with leading returning rusher Devwah Whaley held to 32 and reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Chase Hayden limited to a yard on just two touchdes.

The Horned Frogs overcame a lost fumble and interception from Kenny Hill, who did not have his best day.

In his third meeting against Arkansas, he went 21 of 31 for only 166 yards and no touchdowns, but he did gain 41 on the ground.

His counterpart, Austin Allen, had a worse day. Allen finished 9 of 23 for 138 yards and the team's only touchdown, a 49-yarder to Jonathan Nance in the first quarter.

“I'm sure there are some throws he wishes he had back, but I know he kept some plays alive for us,” Bielema said.

It was 14-7 at halftime, but two missed field goals from Cole Hedlund, the second a 20-yarder head on, went off the upright and cost Arkansas chances at points to help it stay in the game.

“It's inexcusable,” Bielema said. “We're not going down that road again. “Those field goals were hard to take. That second one was basically a PAT and to miss that … that's juvenile. That was something that probably wore on the defense. It's unacceptable.”

Arkansas now has a bye week to prepare for Texas A&M, who it has lost five consecutive games to.

“We've got to be the most improved football team in the country over this next week before we play Texas A&M,” Bielema said.

TCU will host SMU next week before opening Big 12 play the following week at Oklahoma State.

Associated Press n TCU running back Sewo Olonilua slips past Arkansas defenders Santos Ramirez (left to right) Dwayne Eugene Jr. and Josh Liddell to score a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.