FAYETTEVILLE — It wasn’t really reflected in the score, but Arkansas’ defense was excellent a week ago at Oklahoma State.
Playing on the road against a top-25 team, the Razorbacks completely shut down last year’s national rushing leader and didn’t allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter.
Of the Cowboys’ 39 points, eight came in overtime, seven came on a pick-six and another 11 were set up by turnovers that gave them the ball in Arkansas territory. They managed only four drives longer than 31 yards and those resulted in just 13 points.
Throw in the shutout in the opener against UAPB and the Razorbacks’ defense had reason to be feeling confident going into Saturday’s home opener against UAB — perhaps too confident.