Allen sharp in Red-White scrimmage

NWA Democrat-Gazette/Michael Woods BRAND OF FOOTBALL: Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen runs the ball for a gain during the annual Red-White game Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. The redshirt senior threw three touchdown passes in his final spring game.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/Michael Woods BRAND OF FOOTBALL: Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen runs the ball for a gain during the annual Red-White game Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. The redshirt senior threw three touchdown passes in his final spring game.

FAYETTEVILLE -- After last spring's Red-White intrasquad game it seemed Razorbacks fans spent half the summer griping about the Arkansas offense in general and quarterback Brandon Allen in particular.

They'll have to change topics should they choose to gripe into this summer.

The 41,220 announced as attending Saturday's Red-White game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium can vouch that Allen and the offense performed exceptionally, even with 1,000-yard rushers Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins sitting out to avoid any risk of closing spring practice with injuries.

Quarterbacking the first-team Red offense against the second-team White defense, fifth-year senior and third-year starter Allen completed 17 of 21 passes without a turnover for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Jeremy Sprinkle had a four-yard scoring catch among four reception for 44 yards and wideout Keon Hatcher TD catches of 14 and 65 yards on a 3-for-91 afternoon.

Allen also quarterbacked drives capped by 25- and 2-yard runs by running back Kody Walker. Walker in the second half plunged for a 1-yard TD when third-year sophomore backup quarterback Austin Allen, Brandon's brother, took a turn quarterbacking the Red, which sat many of its prominent players in the second half.

Walker, a fifth-year senior reserve fullback-tailback, had more carries Saturday (26 for 174) than all last season (20 for 68) behind Williams and Collins.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I'm tired," the Jefferson City, Mo., native said, smiling. "That's the most I have run since high school."

Austin Allen closed the scrimmage quarterbacking the Red's last scoring drive. completing a 5-yard pass to fullback Chris Jones.

The UA listed the Red as a 62-18 victor though the Red actually pitched a shutout, allowing six field goals.

The Red defense never allowed a first down in the first half when entirely manned by true first-teamers and just one first down for the entire scrimmage.

Defensive end JaMichael Winston led the Red defensive charge with three quarterbacks sacks while linebacker Khalia Hackett broke up two passes.

All the Red three and outs left the White dominating the tackle charts. Redshirt freshman walk-on Josh Harris led with 14 stops, fellow White linebacker Dwayne Eugene recording nine.

Other than reserve offensive guard Marcus Danenhauer, scheduled for X rays after helped off Frank Broyles Field, it appeared the Razorbacks finished their spring game without significant injury, coach Bret Bielema said.

"I was very pleased with the way our guys worked the entire spring," Bielema said. "Offensively, in the first half, especially B.A. (Brandon Allen) continued to show why I'm excited. He continues to make strides. Him and (Hatcher) had a pretty good spring. Him and Hunter Henry (two-time all-Southeastern Conference junior tight end, four catches Saturday for 26 yards). Of course, our offense is so different when we don't have Alex or (Williams) in the game."

Walker made up much of the difference Saturday not only as a bruising big back but showing some surprising breakaway speed on a 44-yard run barely corralled at the one before he scored the next play.

"I was very pleased with Kody," Bielema said. "Kody is a very reliable back, a back who has a very valuable role in our offense."

Hatcher on the 65-yard bomb caught the proof that if looked like Allen, a talk-radio target regarding long passing, indeed can throw deep.

"It looked that way from here, too," Hatcher said laughing. "Brandon was sharp as a knife."

Allen was asked if this Red-White game will make for a more peaceful start to his summer than last summer.

"It might be," Allen said, smiling. "I have no idea. That's up to everyone else but this summer we have plans to get a lot of work in to do a lot of things to build a better offense and a better team. It will be a long summer for us to get a lot of work in."

What was the difference in this spring game versus last year?

"Maybe just maturity," Allen said. "I have been through so many now I kind of knew what to expect. It just relaxes you and helps you take control of that offense."

Allen said he feels completely on the same page with new offensive coordinator Dan Enos and takes special comfort knowing plays the offense could have run Saturday but didn't.

"There are a lot of wrinkles we didn't put in today," Allen said. "We didn't showcase anything. We have a lot of offense left that we can be pretty dominant in."

Sports on 04/26/2015

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