FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas' defense made sure there was no repeat last-drive performance this week.
The Razorbacks (4-5, 2-3) limited the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (7-2, 5-0) to only 125 yards in the second-half, leading the Hogs to a 19-15 Homecoming victory Saturday. Arkansas' win ended Tulsa's seven-game winning-streak.
"They accepted the challenge in the second-half," said Arkansas head coach John L. Smith about the defense. "They came out in the second-half and responded."
Arkansas started fast. The Hogs drove 80 yards on the first drive of the game, capped by Dennis Johnson's 8-yard rushing score. It was the first time all season Arkansas scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. The Razorbacks added a 31-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 10-0.
Arkansas' offense sputtered over the next two quarters. Tulsa's defense held the Hogs offense to only 17-yards in the second-quarter. And Tulsa's offense answered its defense's play. Tailback Alex Singleton scored a one-yard run with 11:42 to go till halftime. After a Zach Hocker field goal for Arkansas, tailback Trey Watts added a 29-yard score. Tulsa missed both point after tries. Arkansas led at halftime 13-12.
A Daniel Schwartz 29-yard field goal with 9:15 to go in the third-quarter put the Golden Hurricane ahead for the first time in the game, 15-13. Arkansas' defense shut down Tulsa's high-scoring offense after that, making many critical stops.
"We kept saying to them, quit looking at the scoreboard and play defense," said Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Haynes. "If we got to stop them, then stop them. That's what those guys did."
Arkansas scored the go-ahead touchdown with 10:08 to go in the game. Johnson plowed over the goal-line on a one-yard run. The senior from Texarkana finished with 111 yards on 22 carries to go along with his two touchdowns.
Tulsa had one final chance to win the game with under a minute to go. Arkansas defensive end Chris Smith sacked Tulsa quarterback Cody Green, forcing a fumble. Arkansas recovered the ball.
Tyler Wilson finished 21-of-31 for 272 yards. Top target Cobi Hamilton caught 11 passes for 177 yards.
"We're still having fun, still a team," said Hamilton. "We have a lot of seniors, a lot of guys who care."
Arkansas returns to the road next Saturday against South Carolina. Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m.
