Arkansas tops Tulsa, 19-15

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FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 19-15 in front of a crowd of 64,651 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton broke the UA single-season receptions record, breaking Jarius Wright’s mark of 66 set last season. Hamilton ended the day with 11 catches for 177 yards, bringing his season total to 69 receptions and 1,077.

Leading the Razorbacks through the air was senior quarterback Tyler Wilson, who went 21-of-31 for 272 yards. Wilson connected with five different Razorbacks, led by Hamilton, who posted his fourth game of at least 10 catches this season, extending the UA career and single-season records. The Texarkana, Texas native also took home the annual Crip Hall Award, given to the player who has the most outstanding performance in the Homecoming game.

Senior running back Dennis Johnson rushed 22 times for 109 yards, his second consecutive 100-yard game, to lead the Razorbacks on the ground. Johnson also scored both touchdowns for the UA. He also grabbed three receptions for 43 yards in the win.

The Razorbacks took advantage of the first drive of the game as they marched down the field, scoring on an eight-yard rush from Johnson. The drive ate just 2:34 off the clock in the first and took just seven plays for a total of 75 yards and resulted in a 7-0 lead.

The Razorback defense put a stop to the Golden Hurricane offense on their first drive, forcing them to attempt a 42-yard field goal, which they missed after kicking it wide right to hold the score at 7-0.

The Razorbacks would string together another impressive drive with Johnson accounting for 60 of the 61 yards on the drive. Johnson had two plays of 25 yards or more to bring the Razorbacks into field goal range, where junior kicker Zach Hocker connected on a 31-yard field goal to put Arkansas up 10-0.

The Golden Hurricane would put points on the board after driving 75 yards down the field off 16 plays to score on a one-yard rush; however Tulsa would miss the extra point after hitting the right goal post to hold the score at 10-6.

With 6:02 remaining in the first half, Hocker connected again on a field goal, this time from 46 yards to extend the Razorback lead to 13-6.

The Golden Hurricane would respond with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a 29-yard rushing touchdown. A blocked extra point by senior defensive tackle DeQuinta Jones kept the Golden Hurricane from tying the game and left the score 13-12. The score would hold as both teams entered the locker room at half.

Tula would capitalize on an Arkansas fumble as the Golden Hurricane returned the fumble 45 yards, giving Tulsa excellent field position. Tulsa would take the lead for the first time in the game with a 29-yard field goal to go ahead 15-13.

Tulsa would later make their way into Arkansas territory only to be trumped by a staunch defensive effort. On fourth-and-goal sophomore defensive end Trey Flowers swatted the ball down to halt the Tulsa drive and give the Razorbacks the ball back after a turnover on downs.

The Razorback offense would return to the field with 11:56 remaining in the fourth. Hamilton would come up big for Arkansas recording two big plays, the first a 41-yard reception to bring the Razorbacks into the Red Zone and the second was a 14-yard catch on the following play to put the Razorbacks on the one-yard line. Johnson would pound it in the end zone on a one-yard rush, giving UA the lead once again. The Razorbacks were stopped on a two-point conversion attempt to hold the score at 19-15.

Tulsa had a final opportunity to put together a game-winning drive with 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Razorback defense would seal the game with a fumble forced by Chris Smith and recovered by Byran Jones that would bring the offense on the field to run out the clock.

The Razorbacks travel to Columbia, S.C., next week to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at 11:00 a.m. on CBS.