Trojans Hang with Razorbacks in 38-28 Defeat

Saturday, September 17

Fayetteville, Ark.

6:30 p.m.

Troy University

0-2

Arkansas

3-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

TROY

Arkansas

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

Trojans Hang with Razorbacks in 38-28 Defeat

9/17/2011 10:33:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: Matt Mays

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY | GAME NOTES

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Trojans made it close in the second half, but a 24-point, first half outburst was enough to carry No.14 Arkansas past Troy, 38-28 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday night.

Troy outscored the Razorbacks, 21-14 in the second half and used three turnovers to keep it close. The Trojans (0-2) outgained the Razorbacks, 457-454 on the night, but were outrushed, 151-84.

Corey Robinson finished with 373 passing yards on a career-high 36 completions with another career-high 63 attempts. The sophomore signal caller threw three touchdowns and one interception. Corey Johnson was Robinson's top target as he caught eight balls for 59 yards. Stanley Arukwe posted a team-high 84 receiving yards.

The Trojans would close the gap to within 10 in the third quarter and they seemed primed to climb back into the game. After surrendering a 79-yard touchdown drive to the Razorbacks (3-0) on their first possession of the third, the Troy defense would settle down, score a touchdown and force two three-and-outs.

LaDarrius Madden provided the defensive score when he picked off a Tyler Wilson pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown. The Trojans first defensive touchdown since 2009 at home against ULM, followed by a Taylor PAT got Troy within 10.

Sandwiched between the defensive stops was a quick-strike, two-play scoring drive from the Trojans that brought the score to 31-14. Robinson scrambled for a career-long 28 yards before hitting Justin Albert for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

However, the Razorbacks opened the fourth quarter with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Joe Adams that moved the lead back to 17 points at 38-21. On the very next play from scrimmage, Robinson threw an interception, marking the Trojans only turnover of the game.

After the Trojans' turnover, the Razorbacks would cough it up twice, and although the Trojans marched into Arkansas territory both times, they were stopped on downs on both occasions.

The Trojans did add a 24-yard touchdown pass from Robinson to Eric Thomas to get the score to the final margin of 38-28. The scoring connection was the second of the game and third of the season between the two sophomores.

The Trojans had their chances in the first half as they posted 255 yards of total offense and drove into Arkansas territory on four of their five drives. However, a late touchdown was all the offense could muster as the Trojans went into the break trailing, 24-7.

The late scoring drive covered seven plays and was highlighted by a Robinson strike to Arukwe for 27 yards. Thomas fought off a defender in the corner of the endzone to catch a touchdown pass from Robinson for his first TD catch of the evening. The score put the Trojans on the board and capped a 50-yard drive that took 1:12 off the clock, however, it came after Troy had already given up 24 first half points.

Arkansas rushed for 105 yards in the first half, with Ronnie Wingo Jr. rushing in for scores from 22 yards and 21 yards out in the first quarter. Combined with his two touchdowns in 2009 and TD reception later in the second half, Wingo Jr. finished the night with five career touchdowns against the Trojans. Kody Walker also rushed for a touchdown in the first half for the Hogs.

Ten of the Razorbacks' first half points came on drives that were extended by Troy defensive pass interference calls. The Trojans also cost themselves six points in the first half as Taylor missed field goals of 33 and 31 yards.

The Razorbacks outrushed the Trojans 105-32 in the first half while Robinson outpassed Wilson 223-178. Arukwe caught all four of his passes and picked up his 84 yards in the first half to pace the Trojans.

The Trojans will open up their home slate next weekend as Middle Tennessee visits Veterans Memorial Stadium for the annual “Battle for the Palladium.” Kick off in the Sun Belt tilt is set for 3:30 p.m. with the game scheduled to air on the Sun Belt Network.

Check back with TroyTrojans.com throughout the week for information leading up to kickoff. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook.