ROBINETTE LEADS RAZORBACKS TO OT WIN OVER GAMECOCKS
2018 Arkansas Football Game Report
Game Six
South Carolina @ Arkansas
October 6th, 2018 4:30PM
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium - Fayetteville, Arkansas
vs
27 – 34
OT
ROBINETTE PUTS ARKANSAS ON TOP IN OVERTIME
D'Eriq Robinette answered the call.
The Razorbacks survived a physical, back-and-forth battle with South Carolina Saturday evening, grinding out a dramatic 34–27 overtime victory behind Robinette’s toughness and another dominant performance from running back Marques Long.
Robinette finished with 217 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 71 rushing yards and the game-winning six-yard touchdown run in overtime. Long carried the offensive load throughout the evening, rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries while also catching five passes out of the backfield.
Arkansas improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference with another crucial SEC win by leaning on a rushing attack that repeatedly answered whenever momentum appeared to shift toward the Gamecocks.
The night started poorly for the Razorbacks when South Carolina struck first on a 29-yard touchdown run by Jayson Hollins in the opening quarter. But Arkansas immediately settled in offensively and answered with consecutive touchdown drives.
Long capped the first response with a one-yard plunge before Robinette found utility man Brian Browne on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give Arkansas a 14–7 lead after one quarter.
Robinette was sharp early, spreading the football around to Browne, Garcia, Anderson Jr., and Brant while consistently extending plays with his legs. Browne led Arkansas receivers with four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Brant added four receptions of his own.
South Carolina refused to fade.
Quarterback Robert Simmons repeatedly challenged Arkansas through the air, finishing 19-of-37 for 245 yards and two touchdowns. His connection with Mike Everett proved especially dangerous all night, as Everett hauled in eight catches for 120 yards and a score.
The Gamecocks tied the game in the second quarter on an eight-yard touchdown pass to Everett, but Arkansas once again answered immediately, this time with the biggest play of the night.
Long exploded through the middle of the South Carolina defense for a 58-yard touchdown run that reignited the Razorback crowd and restored Arkansas’ lead.
Simmons countered yet again late in the half, finding Phillip Collins for a 22-yard touchdown to knot the game at 21, but Arkansas grabbed a slim halftime edge when Joey Christodoulou drilled a 39-yard field goal just before the break.
What followed was a tense defensive struggle.
Neither offense found the same rhythm in the second half as both defenses tightened near the line of scrimmage. Arkansas defensive end Bart Wilson turned in one of his strongest performances of the season with seven tackles and a sack, helping slow South Carolina’s rushing attack in critical situations.
Kendall Everson also delivered a key interception for the Razorbacks, halting one of South Carolina’s promising drives and helping Arkansas maintain control during a stretch where points became difficult to find.
South Carolina managed the only points of the third quarter on Josh Leonard’s 30-yard field goal, knotting things up at 24–24. Leonard added another kick in the fourth to give the Gamecocks their first lead since early in the game.
Arkansas responded with a steady drive capped by Christodoulou’s 23-yard field goal, tying the game at 27 and setting up a tense finish.
Neither team could break through in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
That is where Robinette took over.
The Razorbacks leaned on their quarterback and offensive line near the goal line. Robinette powered through traffic for a six-yard touchdown run that put Arkansas on top.
Then the Arkansas’ held South Carolina with Bryon Davis breaking up a fourth down pass that sent the Razorback sideline spilling onto the field in celebration.
The overtime finish was fitting for a game defined by physical football, timely responses, and a quarterback willing to absorb punishment to keep drives alive.
Arkansas finished with over 200 rushing yards and controlled the tempo throughout much of the game, even while South Carolina consistently threatened through the air.
The Gamecocks had opportunities behind Simmons and Everett, while defenders Blake Chavis and Jason Washington combined for 21 tackles and helped force a Robinette interception, but Arkansas’ ability to answer every momentum swing ultimately proved decisive.
In the end, Robinette and Long simply wore South Carolina down.
And when the game needed the biggest play, Porter Davis trusted his quarterback to finish it himself.
Scoring
SCar|07|14|03|03|00|27
ARK|14|10|00|03|07|34
1Q SCar Hollins 29 Yd run (Leonard kick)
1Q ARK Long 1 Yd run (Christodoulou kick)
1Q ARK Browne 14 Yd pass from Robinette (Christodoulou kick)
2Q SCar Everett 8 Yd pass from Simmons (Leonard kick)
2Q ARK Long 58 Yd run (Christodoulou kick)
2Q SCar Collins 22 Yd pass from Simmons (Leonard kick)
2Q ARK Christodoulou 39 Yd FG
3Q SCar Leonard 30 Yd FG
4Q SCar Leonard 31 Yd FG
4Q ARK Christodoulou 23 Yd FG
OT ARK Robinette 6 Yd run (Christodoulou kick)
Key Player Stats
Passing: Robinette 17/28 217Yds 1TD 1Int
Rushing: Long 23/142 2 TD, Robinette 12/71 1TD
Receiving: Long 5/39, Brant 4/37, Browne 4/52 1TD, Garcia 2/47, Anderson Jr 2/36
Tackles: Wilson 7, Young 5, Cabral 5, Smith 5
Sacks: Wilson 1
Takeaways: Everson 1 Int
Special Teams: Christodoulou 2/2FG 4/4XP, Payne 3/136 45.3Avg, Browne 2KR 33Yds
Passing: Simmons 19/37 245Yds 2TD 1Int
Rushing: Hollins 15/82 1TD
Receiving: Bush Everett 8/120 1TD, Collins 4/75 1TD, Hughes 3/21
Tackles: Chavis 11, Washington 10, Concepcion 6
Sacks: N/A
Takeaways: Washington 1 Int
Special Teams: Leonard 2/3FG 3/3XP, McCollum 3/143, Hughes 1 KR 19Yds, Washington 1 KR 19Yds
DAVIS BREAKS UP SOUTH CAROLINA'S OT FOURTH DOWN PASS TO SECURE THE WIN
Next Game
vs
6-0(3-0) | 5-2(2-1)
October 13th, 2018 3:30PM
Bryant-Denny Stadium - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
vs
