Freshmen Backs Lead Hogs Past ULM

Two freshmen rushed for 100 yards in the same game for the first time in Arkansas history as the Razorbacks rolled past Louisiana-Monroe 44-15 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Darren McFadden and Felix Jones combined for 227 yards rushing and four touchdowns to lead an Arkansas ground attack that amassed 321 yards rushing.

Arkansas (2-3) overcame a shaky start after fumbling the ball on its first offensive play. Chris Balseiro converted on a 42-yard field goal, tying a career long, to give the Hogs a 3-0 lead with 6:04 to left in the first quarter.

Robert Johnson was sacked in the end zone for a safety by the Indians’ Brandon Guillory on Arkansas’ next possession to cut the lead to 3-2.

Westin Dacus forced a fumble by Louisiana-Monroe on the ensuing kickoff and John Johnson made the recovery for Arkansas. McFadden carried the ball 39 yards for the game’s first touchdown on the following play to give the Hogs a 10-2 lead. Arkansas scored touchdowns on six consecutive possessions stretching from the first to the third quarter.

The Arkansas offense held the ball for more than six minutes on its first possession of the second quarter. Darrius Howard capped a 16-play drive with a four-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 16-2 with six minutes to play in the half.

Lousiana-Monroe (2-4) responded with a touchdown on a fake field goal. Jessie Blair completed a 23-yard pass to Joey Trappey in the back of the end zone with 4:05 to play in the half to make it 16-8 in favor of Arkansas. The Indians would not score again until the final minute of the game.

Arkansas answered with another impressive drive led by McFadden. He carried the ball three times for 32 yards as the Hogs marched 80 yards on seven plays. McFadden scampered in from 15 yards out to stretch Arkansas’ lead to 23-8 before the half. The freshman tailback tallied 118 yards on 10 carries in the first half alone.

The Arkansas offense picked up right where it left off to start the second half. McFadden returned the second half kickoff 64 yards to the Louisiana-Monroe 26 yard line, setting up a four-yard touchdown run by Felix Jones. Arkansas led 30-8 with 13:28 to play in the third quarter.

Cedric Logan capped a 10-play drive on the Razorbacks next possession with his first career touchdown reception. Quarterback Robert Johnson connected with Logan on a five-yard play, stretching the lead to 37-8 with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter. Johnson completed 12-of-17 pass attempts for 119 yards and one touchdown.

Jones scored his second touchdown of the third quarter on a three-yard run to push the Arkansas lead to 44-8 with 3:24 left in the third. Jones finished with 102 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

The Indians added a late touchdown when quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster scored on a four-yard run.

Arkansas returns to conference play next Saturday when it hosts Auburn at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.