Top Drives SEC Games in 2013

In the middle of the off-season what else can we do but look optimistically toward the next season? Going 0 for 8 in Conference play last year did not give many reasons for positive expectations, but looking closer there were a few small peeks at what this team can be on offense. Several times last season we caught a view of a small spark of a successful drive only to be stamped out by the cold blowing wind of a turnover, defensive miscue or untimely injury.

"Where we are at as a program right now we have to be opportunistic and create some first downs and some bonus possessions. We are 50/50 on that stuff... its very frustrating." Bret Bielema 11/2/13 Auburn Post Game Press Conference

That pretty much summed up the offense last season. Jim Chaney as the play caller had to implement as many ways to out scheme each opponent as he could in 2013. They had to take chances on reverses, HB passes, deep balls that are 50/50 at best, and the occasional fake punt. Amongst all this there were some examples of drives where every thing worked smoothly, and both the rushing game,  and passing game clicked together.

#3 Top Offensive Drive 2013

Arkansas vs Texas A&M 4:42 3rd Quarter

1st Play:

1st and 10 at ARK 35

Keon Hatcher rush for 9 yards to the Ark 44.

From the midpoint of the season on a big part of the Arkansas offense was the WR reverse. So much attention was being placed on the inside running game by the defense that the best way to get outside was with this play.
2nd Play:

2nd and 1 at ARK 44

Kiero Small rush for 3 yards to the Ark 47 for a 1ST down.

Kiero Small out of the Wildcat/Wildhog/Heavy Hog whatever you want to call it, gets enough for the 1st down.

3rd Play:

1st and 10 at ARK 47

Brandon Allen pass incomplete to Javontee Herndon.

Chaney calls a deep shot to Herndon where Allen forces into double coverage. Not the best play of this drive, but it forces A&Ms already struggling Defense to play deeper coverage.
4th Play:

2nd and 10 at ARK 47

Brandon Allen pass complete to Keon Hatcher for 15 yards to the TexAM 38 for a 1ST down.

5th Play, 6th, 7th  Plays:

1st and 10 at TA&M 38		TEXAS A&M penalty 15 yard Pass Interference on De'Vante Harris accepted.
1st and 10 at TA&M 23		Alex Collins rush for 2 yards to the TexAM 21.
2nd and 8 at TA&M 21		Alex Collins rush for 2 yards to the TexAM 19.

Henry is able to draw a pass interference penalty off of a play action pass down the sideline. After the penalty Collins is given two consecutive runs inside the tackles with only short gains.

8th Play:

3rd and 6 at TA&M 19

Brandon Allen pass complete to Jonathan Williams for 19 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.

38

33

Arkansas lines up in an offset I with Hunter Henry at TE to the short side and the two WRs stacked tight on the hash mark to the wide side. Texas A&M sends a blitz off the corner which leaves no one to cover the back on the swing route. Williams makes some impressive moves and manages to get in the End Zone bringing Arkansas with 5 points of the Aggies. The extra pass protection from FB Kiero Small and Henry gave Brandon Allen plenty of time to find Williams and give him the opportunity to make a big play. The Texas A&M poor tackling and defense as a whole were on exhibit for this drive but it was a good example of quality play calling and good decision making at the QB position. Brandon Allen was able to march down the field with the help of some playmakers out in the open.

In 2014 a more drives like this on a consistent basis will be needed to erase the memory of last season.

Check back for Drive #2 of the Top 3 Offensive Drives of 2013 (There were more successful drives than these 3 but it takes a lot of work to break down more than that number!)

Also take a look at my other articles over at the Razorback SB Nation Site: ARKANSASFIGHT.com