2. This is Tyler Wilson's team.
Petrino played both quarterbacks Wilson and sophomore Brandon Mitchell throughout the game. Mitchell played efficient enough to earn future snaps. The game plan had a familiar feel.
"It was really the same game plan that Ryan (Mallett)and I had two years ago when we played Missouri State In Little Rock," said Wilson. "He had the first quarter and I had the first series of the second quarter and we really just made the same game plan this last week that we did then."
3. Beefed up Hogs.
I know what you did last summer. The Hog off-season weight program met the eye test. Sophomore tight end Colton Miles-Nash is built like a truck. Sophomore safety Eric Bennett looks more like a linebacker than a cornerback. Petrino noticed it too. He commented several times about his team's physical play against Missouri State in the post-game news conference.
4. Newcomers shined.
Arkansas's 2011 season has received so much buzz because of the many returning juniors and seniors from last season's Sugar Bowl team. Freshmen Brey Cook, Mitch Smothers, Marquel Wade and Kody Walker played early and often. Walker rushed for two touchdowns. Smothers became the first freshman to start a season opener on the offensive line. JUCO transfer Alonzo Highsmith's play caught the eyes of the coaches.
"When I came in that starting spot, I felt like there was some pressure for me to keep that spot," said Highsmith. "So, I felt it like it was my job to keep it and I just went out and played my hardest every day."
5. The running game has something to prove.
Dennis Johnson did not play because of a hamstring injury. All-Southeastern Conference tailback Knile Davis is out for the year. Junior stater Ronnie Wingo rushed 11 times for 48 yards. Backup D'Anthony Curtis gained 37 yards. Walker gained another 33 yards. The Hogs overall rushed 33 times for 135 yards, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Missouri State's game plan was simply to stop the run. They did, but it also opened the passing game.
Arkansas will travel to Little Rock Saturday to play the New Mexico Lobos. Game time is at 6 p.m. on ESPN-U.
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