TAT: Hogs Suffer Loss on Hamilton's Record Night

This article originally appeared on uatrav.com on September 22, 2012, following Arkansas' loss to Rutgers.

     It was a night to forget for Razorback fans, but one to remember for senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton.

     Arkansas fell to 1-3 on the season with a 35-26 loss to Rutgers. However, Hamilton set a new Southeastern Conference and school record with 303 receiving yards.

     After pulling ahead 10-0 in the first quarter, Rutgers drove the ball 75 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown. During the drive, they converted a fake punt on 4th and one and got a first down as a result of an offside penalty called on the Hogs on a field goal attempt.

     Quarterback Gary Nova led the Scarlett Knights on two more touchdown drives, pulling ahead 21-7 early in the third quarter, before Arkansas answered.

     Arkansas’ last two possessions of the first half and first two possessions of the second half resulted in three-and-outs, good for a total of 20 yards. Finally, they drove the ball 52 yards and junior Zack Hocker made a 27-yard field goal to pull within eight points.

     Rutgers’ next possession ended with another Nova touchdown pass. Hamilton responded by catching two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. His last was an 80-yard catch that broke the SEC and UA record for receiving yards. The Hogs attempted a two-point conversion, but failed, so they trailed 28-26.

     Less than a minute later, Nova threw his fifth and final touchdown pass of the game. He finished with 397 yards and was 25-for-35 passing.

     With a little over six minutes remaining, the Hogs made a final effort. Senior punter Dylan Breeding pinned the Scarlett Knights on their own one-yard line with a 51-yard punt. Arkansas appeared to tackle sophomore running back Jawan Jamison in the end zone for a safety, but he was able to avoid being brought down and gained 24 yards.

     The Razorbacks’ final drive ended when senior Tyler Wilson’s pass was intercepted by senior safety Duron Harmon. Wilson was 20-for-40 for 419 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.

     From the second quarter to the end of the game, they had possession of the ball for 29 minutes and 12 seconds, compared to Arkansas’ 12 minutes and 25 seconds.

     Also, in the third quarter, Rutgers was 4-for-5 on third down conversions, including 3-for-3 on one of their touchdown drives.

     During the first quarter, senior tight end Chris Gragg suffered a lower leg injury and didn’t return to the game.

     Arkansas plays again next Saturday at Texas A&M in College Station.