TAT: Five Keys vs. Tulsa

This article originally appeared in the November 2, 2012 Football Edition of The Arkansas Traveler.

1. Improve Special Teams

UA interim head coach John L. Smith pointed to the blocked punt against Ole Miss as the glaring reason for the loss. Also against the Rebels, senior Dennis Johnson had two kickoff returns, going for four yards and zero yards. Both of those drives started at the five-yard line. Every time sophomore Keante Minor lined up to receive a punt, Razorback fans held their breath. He returned two punts for a total of six yards, bobbling a couple of fair catches and even fumbling one out of bounds. No one expects Minor to be Joe Adams, but Arkansas must get more production out of punt returns. For the Razorbacks to defeat the Golden Hurricane, they have to play sound special teams.

2. Carry Over 1st Quarter Momentum

Arkansas has started games this season really well, outscoring opponents 79-28 in the first quarter. In three of Arkansas’ five losses, they had the lead at the end of the first quarter. However, they have a significant drop off in the second, third, and fourth quarters. They have been outscored 86-66 in the second, 72-31 in the third and 55-37 in the fourth. While Arkansas has gotten worse as the season progresses, Tulsa has gotten stronger. They have outscored their opponents 76-55 in the second quarter and 74-35 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, when they have had backups playing in blowouts, they still managed to outscore opponents 60-52. The Razorbacks cannot let up on Tulsa if they get ahead early, because they have the firepower to battle back.

3. Stop the Run

Tulsa has the ninth-best running game in the country, averaging 248.8 rushing yards per game. Arkansas has improved greatly in run defense over the last several seasons, but they will have their hands full against the Golden Hurricane. Senior Alex Singleton and juniors Trey Watts and Ja’Terian Douglas will take the majority of the reps at running back, and each of them have already rushed for over 475 yards this season. If Arkansas doesn’t keep the running game in check, Tulsa will be able to control the game and keep the Razorbacks’ offense off the field.

4. Spread the Ball Around in the Passing Game

Last week, senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton nearly set a UA record with 12 receptions against Ole Miss – one short of tying the record. Hamilton’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, but he caught half of Wilson’s completed passes. Especially with senior tight end Chris Gragg injuring his knee again and junior wide receiver Brandon Mitchell not playing because of a violation of team rules, Tulsa’s defense will be able to key in on Hamilton. This means other wide receivers, such as freshman Mekale McKay and juniors Julian Horton and Javontee Herndon, will have to step up and make big plays. Also, junior Austin Tate and redshirt freshman Alex Voelzke will need to haul in passes at the tight end position in Gragg’s absence.

5. Protect Tyler Wilson

It seems that every week Arkansas is facing a team that is in the top 30 in the country in sacks. This week is no different, as they play the country’s number one team in sacks. The Golden Hurricane has 35 sacks this season, an average of 4.4 per game. Tulsa is led by senior linebacker DeAundre Brown and senior defensive end Jared St. John, who have eight and seven sacks, respectively. Yet again, Arkansas’ young offensive line will have to bring their best performance this season in order to protect senior quarterback Tyler Wilson.

TAT: Standout Freshman Receiver Brings Size and Speed

This article originally appeared in the November 2, 2012 Football Edition of The Arkansas Traveler.

     When Mekale McKay moved to Louisville, Ky., from Texas, he quickly got the nickname “Tex” from his teammates and coaches.

     The saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and McKay is no exception to the rule. He arrived at Moore Traditional School as an eighth grader already standing six feet, four inches.

     In Louisville, Ky., middle schools have competitive eighth grade 7-on-7 flag football teams. McKay’s size and athleticism allowed him to make an immediate impact for Moore’s team, which was lead by head coach Bob Johnson.

     “He did some phenomenal things in flag football,” Johnson said. “He was pretty much unstoppable.”

     After leading the eighth grade team to a district championship, McKay joined the high school varsity team and played quarterback and wide receiver as a freshman.

     Johnson thought that McKay would eventually be a quarterback because he had a “tremendous arm.” The summer following McKay’s freshman year, Johnson took him to several football camps, including the University of Tennessee camp.

     At Tennessee’s camp, former Tennessee and current Southern California head coach Lane Kiffin thought highly of McKay’s performance. The University of Louisville and its former head coach Steve Kragthorpe were “nuts about him,” as well, Johnson said.

     However, before his sophomore season, McKay transferred to Seneca High School and was declared ineligible to play football. He transferred back to Moore in time to play basketball that school year, but by then, Johnson had resigned and taken the athletic director position at Western High School in Louisville, Ky.

     The next two seasons Johnson was forced to watch McKay from the opposite sideline. Last year, Johnson said McKay “single-handedly” beat Western.

     “He’s a great kid,” Johnson said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, and when I saw him play as a freshman, I knew then that he had the capability to play (Division I football).”

     Initially, McKay committed to the University of Texas at El Paso, but he was “better than UTEP,” Johnson said.

     While at Moore, McKay also played basketball, which probably hurt him in recruiting for football, said Richard Davenport, “The Recruiting Guy” for ARPreps.com.

     “Because Mekale played spring and summer basketball, he wasn’t able to go to any camps or combines to get noticed,” Davenport said. “Everyone was basing everything off of his high school film.”

     With only film, Scout.com ranked McKay the 110th best receiver in the country and gave him three stars. He also received a three-star rating for basketball.

     During the recruiting process, he decommitted to UTEP and attended camps at Cincinnati and Kentucky and visited Ole Miss and Houston. His third and final visit was to Arkansas.

     By then, he had grown into his current 6’6” 190 lb. frame, but Razorback fans were clamoring for the number one, five-star recruit from Springfield, Mo., Dorial Green-Beckham. When Green-Beckham chose Missouri over Arkansas, the news of McKay signing with the Razorbacks went relatively under the radar.

     “No doubt Arkansas would’ve loved to land (Green-Beckham) and that was a big disappointment, but Mekale has excellent size, speed and a great vertical,” Davenport said. “He should be a great player in time. He has all the tools needed.”

     McKay came to Arkansas and was in the mix for a starting position during preseason practices. He ultimately earned the third wide receiver starting position and started against Jacksonville State in week one.

     “I thought Mekale had a good chance to play, but I wasn’t necessarily thinking he would start,” Davenport said. “That tells you he’s a great competitor and has a strong desire to play.”

     He caught his first collegiate pass in the week one game with Jacksonville State. Since then, he has increased his season totals to 13 receptions for 193 yards. Against ULM, McKay caught his first and only collegiate touchdown.

     His work ethic and talent has even been noticed by his teammates, including fellow wide receiver senior Cobi Hamilton.

     “He’s a heck of a player and he’s young,” Hamilton said. “He’s going to develop to make big plays, that’s just the kind of player he is.”

     This week, he may have to step up and carry some of the load against Tulsa. Senior tight end Chris Gragg will not play because of a knee injury and junior wide receiver Brandon Mitchell will not play because of a violation of team rules.

     “I’m sure he’ll fill in the role,” Hamilton said. “That’s just how this Arkansas team has been built.”

     Whether he has a breakout game against Tulsa or not, Johnson knows McKay will become a star player at some point.

     “I coached for 34 years and you only come across a player like Mekale occasionally,” Johnson said. “He is special.”

TAT: Rose Kicks Thorn into Razorbacks' Bowl Hopes

This article originally appeared online at uatrav.com on October 28, 2012.

     Arkansas lost to Ole Miss 30-27 this afternoon, falling to 3-5 on the season and 2-3 in Southeastern Conference play. The loss also dropped the Razorbacks to 0-2 in Little Rock this season, making it the first winless season in Little Rock since 1993.

     With just over two minutes remaining in the game senior running back Dennis Johnson capped off a four-play, 55-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 27-27.

     However, this didn’t prove to be enough. The Rebels promptly drove down the field and senior Bryson Rose kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to win the game for Ole Miss.

     A 22-yard field goal by senior kicker Zach Hocker and a 42-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tyler Wilson to senior tight end Chris Gragg gave the Hogs an early 10-0 lead.

     This lead quickly evaporated in the second quarter. The Rebels answered with a 58-yard touchdown drive and a 22-yard touchdown drive; the latter following a Wilson interception.

     The Razorbacks responded with a long touchdown drive of their own, ending with a six-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to redshirt freshman Alex Voelzke. It was Voelzke’s first career reception and put Arkansas ahead 17-14.

     Instead of going into the half with a three point lead, Arkansas allowed Ole Miss to score a touchdown with 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Junior running back Jeff Scott’s one-yard touchdown run gave the Rebels a 21-17 halftime lead.

     Ole Miss increased their lead in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal by Rose. In the fourth quarter, Hocker made a 41-yard field goal, while Rose kicked 53-yard and 31-yard field goals, the last of which was the game winner.

     Arkansas seemingly had a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but an illegal formation penalty negated Wilson’s touchdown pass to senior tight end Austin Tate. They had to settle for Hocker’s 41-yard field goal instead.

     Johnson had the best game by an Arkansas running back this season, gaining 161 yards on 27 carries. This eclipsed his previous career high of 160 yards rushing, which he set against Ole Miss last year in Oxford, Miss.

     Senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton had another big game, catching 12 passes for 146 yards. His 12 receptions are tied for fourth-most in a single game in school history.

     Arkansas had no answer for Ole Miss sophomore quarterback Bo Wallace, who they allowed to scramble and make plays. Wallace finished 29-for-37 for 278 yards and one touchdown, while only throwing one interception. He also added 38 yards rushing.

     Wilson had an uncharacteristically inaccurate day. He was only 24-for-43 (55.2%) for 297 yards and two touchdowns. This is just the second game this season in which he threw two interceptions in a game, the first time being against Rutgers.

     Arkansas returns to Fayetteville next week to play Tulsa, who is 7-1 overall and 5-0 in Conference USA play. They will be coming off a bye week, but defeated Rice 28-24 last week. The game will air on the SEC Network and kickoff is scheduled for 11:21 am.

TAT: Five Keys vs. Ole Miss

This article originally appeared in the October 25, 2012 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

1. Stop the Run

Along with quarterback Bo Wallace, the Rebels also have junior running back Jeff Scott. Scott ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference with 97.3 rushing yards per game, leading the country’s 26th best rushing offense. Although the Razorbacks are fifth in the SEC in run defense, only giving up 130 yards per game on the ground, they have allowed two players to rush for over 100 yards. Both players, Texas A&M’s Manziel and Rutgers’ Jawan Jamison, rank in the top 40 for rushing yards per game, as does Scott. Arkansas will have their hands full with not only containing Wallace, but also stopping Scott.

2. Contain Bo Wallace

Ole Miss sophomore quarterback Bo Wallace is yet another versatile quarterback the Razorbacks will face. ULM’s Kolten Browning and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel racked up 481 total yards and 558 total yards, respectively, against Arkansas. However, they held Auburn’s Kiehl Frazier to just 93 total yards and sacked him four times in only one half of play. Wallace has a similar skill set as these quarterbacks, as he has thrown for 1,371 yards and rushed for 233 yards. Last week, he displayed his versatility by scoring two rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. Arkansas must contain him and not allow him to make plays like these for the Rebels.

3. Block Well

Arkansas’ young, inexperienced offensive line has improved steadily throughout the season. They are protecting senior quarterback Tyler Wilson and giving him plenty of time to find open receivers as well as opening holes in the run game. Against the Rebels this Saturday, they will need to step it up another notch. Ole Miss comes into the game fourth in the SEC in tackles for loss, with 7.9 per game, and sacks, with 2.7 per game, so Arkansas’ offensive linemen must be prepared for their stiff rush.

4. Win Third and Fourth Downs

The Razorbacks have struggled on third down all season, converting only 37 percent of their third-down opportunities. They have also allowed opponents to convert 47 out of 116 third and fourth down attempts, which is 41 percent. The Rebels have flourished in these situations, converting an impressive 51 percent of their third and fourth downs. In order to maintain long drives, Arkansas must convert on these later downs and keep their defense off the field. If they can’t convert, their defense won’t have as much time to rest, causing them to tire more quickly and leading to easier scoring for the Ole Miss offense.

5. Defend “the Rock”

Little Rock has been a second home for the Razorbacks since 1906 and it has proven to be a friendly one. In 1954, led by the famous “25 Little Pigs,” they beat No. 5 Ole Miss in Little Rock for one of the most monumental victories in school history. However, earlier this season, unranked ULM upset Arkansas 34-31 in overtime. That loss snapped a 20 game nonconference win streak in Little Rock. Such a poor showing in our state’s capital is highly unusual and the players must use it as inspiration to come out and redeem themselves.