Alex Collins and the Arkansas Razorbacks ran past the Kansas State Wildcats in the Liberty Bowl.
The Arkansas Razorbacks managed to close out a disappointing season with a 45-23 win over the Kansas State Wildcats in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday evening at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Kansas State entered as one of the biggest underdogs of the bowl season, but didn’t show it out of the gate. The Wildcats picked off Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen to start the game, and converted on Winston Dimel’s 10-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0.
Arkansas quickly responded, using its typical mix of play-action pass and the running game to knot things up at 7 early on Alex Collins’ 22-yard score, just the start of a huge day for the star running back. Following a Kansas State field goal, Collins broke out a long kickoff return to set up a 13-yard Jared Cornelius touchdown run to put Arkansas up 14-10 after one quarter in a surprisingly explosive start for both offenses.
Kansas State could no nothing to stop the mammoth Arkansas offensive line from opening up holes for Collins, who scored again to open the second. However, the Wildcats’ previously struggling offense would not go away, and kept the deficit at 24-13 by the half.
As expected, the physicality of Arkansas on both sides of the ball was a lot for Kansas State to handle, and Collins averaged over seven yards per carry in the first half. Still, a couple of special teams plays and the fact that Collins only had 13 touches helped the Wildcats remain within striking distance at the break.
A scary moment occurred late in the first half when Arkansas receiver Dominique Reed appeared to be knocked out with a hit to the head. Reed was able to talk and move his extremities before being taken to a local hospital.
Defensive issues for both continued in the second half, as a coverage breakdown led to a 48-yard touchdown pass from Kody Cook to Dimel. Allen would connect on a few downfield passes on Arkansas’ next drive, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Sprinkle to put the Razorbacks back up 11.
Kansas State moved the ball well on its next drive into the red zone but was forced to settle for a field goal, a theme throughout the game. The Wildcats had a chance to get off the field with a rare defensive stop on Arkansas’ next drive, but tight end Hunter Henry reeled in a 48-yard pass on third and long to set up yet another Collins score and 38-23 lead.
The Razorbacks were then able to finally get a defensive stop on Kansas State’s next drive, and looked to be in control with 10 minutes to go. Arkansas would take over six minutes off the clock on its next drive, and Kody Walker’s touchdown run sealed a 45-23 Razorbacks win.
The Wildcats’ did some good things on offense, but kicking three field goals in the red zone was too much to overcome given how Arkansas played on offense. Arkansas averaged nearly seven yards per carry, and quarterback Brandon Allen was efficient against a weak Wildcats secondary to ensure a comfortable victory.
Three Stars
Denver Kirkland, LT, Arkansas. Paved the way for Collins and provided good pass protection against a solid Kansas State defensive line.
Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas. Shook off the early interception and quietly picked apart the Wildcats, throwing for over 300 yards on 20/26 passing.
Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas. Carried the ball 23 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns to set a new school record with 20 scores on the year.
Highlights
How we didn't want the game to start...
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) January 2, 2016
Turned into a Wildcat TD. Hogs down 7-0 #LibertyBowl #WPS pic.twitter.com/gScfNNn1yX
That didn't take long.
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2016
K-State turns an early interception into 6 points with a fullback run from 10 yards out: https://t.co/yfPS8XCrPV
Alex Collins evens things up for Arkansas with a 22-yard TD run. #LibertyBowl https://t.co/u8g7Wdno0I
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 2, 2016
(2016) The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Kansas St. v Arkansas ( Ark) Alex Collins 13 YD Rushing 'Touchdown' https://t.co/vRgG3QIl2o
— Joe Pierce, M.Ed. (@WBNexus) January 2, 2016
"#Wildcats Bryant w/swim over #Hogs Smothers for easy FG block. FG woes continue for #WPS. #LibertyBowl #SEC… https://t.co/rSGSL9AFeQ — Carter Bryant (@CarterthePower) January 2, 2016"
Cook to Dimel for another Wildcat touchdown! Arkansas 24 #KStateFB 20 with 12 minutes to go in the third on @ESPN! https://t.co/gCU1dnTvpq
— K-State Athletics (@kstatesports) January 2, 2016
Kansas State pulls within four. Arkansas answers right back.
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2016
Entertaining #LibertyBowl on ESPN/WatchESPN. https://t.co/qUukkYmPbY
Record-setting rumble!
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2016
Alex Collins bounced off defender after defender to set the Arkansas record with his 20th TD https://t.co/OlRHE2XGdD
Odds
Arkansas closed as a 12-point favorite and was able to cover. The two teams breezed pass the over/under of 55.5.
Up Next
Arkansas will again have a lot of preseason hype after winning six of seven to end the season. Kansas State will be disappointing with a 6-7 finish and will now have to wonder if Bill Snyder is considering retirement soon.