The “Lowly” Rise To The Occassion In Win Over Bulldogs

Call it what you will. Some of the kids no other power-5 teams wanted are excelling at Arkansas under the new Razorback football staff.

Hudson Clark

Hayden Henry

Grant Morgan

Simeon Blair

Blake Kern

John David White

Tyson Morris

Those guys played crucial snaps and a key role in the upset of Mississippi State last night in Starkville. Want to know why those guys are listed? They’re walk-on’s which makes it even more impressive in the win. Clark of Highland Park was a preferred walk-on from the 2019 class. The 6’2 176 cornerback was asked to step up in the second half after an injury to Montaric Brown, arguably the best cornerback for the Hogs. Clark finished the game with two total tackles.

Morgan has played a lot during his Razorback career. None of his snaps nearly as important as the ones he is playing right now as a senior at linebacker.

Even after being knocked out of the game early with some sort of arm injury he would return and be key in forcing stops. Especially in the final two Bulldog possessions where big fourth down stops catapulted the Hogs to their first SEC victory in 20 games. Morgan finished the game with 15 total tackles.

Henry, a part of the Henry family legacy of Razorbacks has a similar story as Morgan. In the reps he was able to get he played well with three tackles with some whopping hits on the Bulldogs.

Blair has gone from a seldom used player special teams contributor to playing big time snaps at the boundary safety position. He has performed well so far as a redshirt sophomore. He recorded six total tackles and a pass deflection. One of those deflections could have also resulted in K.J. Costello’s fourth interception.

Kern, White and Morris did not record anything in the statistical categories. However, their play in other facets of the game were key. Blocking for Boyd and Smith, downfield blocking for the receivers and just executing what they have been asked to do was key to the Razorback victory.

I don’t remember a time since I have been watching Razorback football where walk-on’s and backups played a crucial part in a SEC victory. It was a fun but nerve wracking thing to watch. The Razorbacks were able to figure out how to close out a game and it was a beautiful thing.