Ohio State Finally Overcomes SEC, Beating Arkansas 31-26 In Wild Sugar Bowl

2011 Sugar Bowl Stats: Ryan Mallett Gets No Help From Receivers In 31-26 Loss To Ohio State

For all but one minute of the 2011 Sugar Bowl, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was on fire. It was a split-second mistake in the final minute of the Sugar Bowl that preserved a 31-26 Ohio State win over Arkansas as the Razorbacks came up just short. For a moment, following Colton Miles-Nash's blocked punt with just over a minute to go, it looked like Arkansas would complete an incredible comeback, only to see the Sugar Bowl slip away as Solomon Thomas stepped in front of Mallet's second down pass.

Mallett ended the game with 277 yards, two touchdowns and that one interception. Considering how many times Arkansas receivers dropped crucial passes, the Sugar Bowl could've had a very different results. Time after time, Mallett hit receivers square in the hands, right in the numbers, only to see the ball hit the turf. It seemed like every receiver dropped at least one, something the Razorbacks are surely kicking themselves over this morning.

The Razorbacks racked up 402 yards of total offense, 277 of which came through the air and 125 of which came on the ground. Knile Davis led all rushers with a game-high 139 yards on 26 carries. Jarrius Wright caught four passes for 70 yards and Joe Adams grabbed nine passes for a game-high 120 yards and a touchdown. The Arkansas offense was firing, and gave the Razorbacks plenty of chances to bring home the Sugar Bowl trophy.

On the other side of the ball, Terrelle Pryor played an almost perfect game at quarterback. The junior, amid plenty of controversy, finished with 221 yards and two touchdowns through the air and another 115 on the ground. His only glaring mistake, a fumble at the goal-line, turned into a fluke touchdown as Dane Sanzenbacher dove on the loose ball in the end zone. Sanzenbacher also caught three passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Herron, another member of the tattooed five, added 86 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Buckeyes. Devier Posey led the Ohio State receivers with three catches for 70 yards and a score.

In the end, it was those costly drops, and that last-minute mistake by Mallett, that doomed the Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. Ohio State walked away with its first win over an SEC team in a bowl game while Arkansas heads home with a sour taste in its mouth, wondering what could have been.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Blocked Punt A Missed Opportunity For Razorbacks

Head coaches preach falling on the football. When the ball hits the turf, fall on it and secure it. But when should a player try to scoop and score? We found out in the waning moments of the 2011 Sugar Bowl as Arkansas blocked an Ohio State punt in the finals minutes, only to see freshman Julian Horton fall on the ball. That blocked punt, and the missed chance to run it back for a touchdown, turned out to be huge for the Razorbacks on Tuesday night in New Orleans.

For your viewing pleasure, check out video of the blocked punt below. Notice it's fourth down and Ohio State is kicking from its own 30.

The block itself was perfect. Colton Miles-Nash makes a great, athletic play by leaping over the last line of blockers to get a hand on the ball. With a host of Arkansas players around, Horton tips the ball to himself, then inexplicably falls on it instead of scooping and scoring.

Weigh the risk and reward here. Score and the game is essentially over. The Ryan Mallett interception doesn't happen and Ohio State has less than a minute to put together a drive to win. The odds are in the Razorbacks' favor.

The risk, in this case, is pretty much zero. The only way Ohio State gets a favorable outcome is if, by some miracle, one of the punt team members happens to recover the ball while evading a host of Arkansas players to scramble to 20-some yards for the first down. Anything else and Arkansas still ends up with the ball.

In the heat of the moment, it may be tough to put the pieces together, but Arkansas had nothing to lose by trying to scoop the ball and run it in. With a host of blockers ready to usher the way into the end zone, the odds of a touchdown were high. Instead, Horton dove on the ball and the rest is history.

2011 Sugar Bowl Final Score: Ohio State 31, Arkansas 26

The 2011 Sugar Bowl, a lurching game played largely in fits and starts, ends with a round of hot-potato worthy of a tipsy church picnic.

The Buckeyes are in clock-eating mode even for the Buckeyes, but unlike most Jim Tressel units they don't seem to be very good at going slow. A six-rush-one-pass drive with just under nine minutes remaining in the game ends with another Daniel Herron vapors episode, this one a fumble that Arkansas recovers, then immediately squanders with a holding call and a three-and-out. The Buckeyes can't eat all the turf afforded them, and punt the ball away with 1:15 remaining in the game.

Or attempt to. The kick is blocked by wee freshman wide receiver Julian Horton, and the Hogs set up at the Buckeyes' 18-yard line. On second down, Solomon Thomas, the only Ohio State player supposed to be serving a suspension for this game that the rest of the country might have trouble identifying on sight, intercepts Ryan Mallett. The streak is snapped, and the Buckeyes move to 1-9 against SEC competition in the postseason. Final score from the Louisiana Superdome: Ohio State 31, Arkansas 26.

Celebrate and commiserate with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads, and for a complete list of bowl times and scores, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Daniel Herron Safety Sets Stage For One-Possession Ballgame

Arkansas has just scored, but the momentum in the second half of the 2011 Sugar Bowl is still swinging Hogs-ward.

An Ohio State University punt opens the fourth quarter of play, and Arkansas' next possession goes next to nowhere. They pin the Buckeyes at their own 4-yard line, however, and on the first play from scrimmage Terrelle Pryor hands off to Daniel Herron. He's shoved back into his own endzone by Anthony Leon, then brought to the ground by Rudell Crim for an Arkansas safety. Ohio State leads, 31-23. The heavily partisan, largely Arkansan crowd is on its feet, and even though the Hogs' next series ends in a 47-yard Zach Hocker field goal, the damage is done and we're in a one-possession game. With 9:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, Ohio State leads, 31-26.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more live scoring updates, and follow along with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Ryan Mallett, D.J. Williams Make It A 10-Point Game

Arkansas is showing some signs of life here in the third quarter of the 2011 Sugar Bowl, but they sure take their sweet (sorry) time getting around to it.

Jordan Hall runs the second-half opening kickoff back 33 yards for the Buckeyes, and Terrelle Pryor rips off a 17-yard gain on first down, but on the next three plays the Buckeyes are held to a total of three yards, and the Hogs get the ball at their own 19-yard line.

A four-minute drive stalls outside the red zone, and Zach Hocker manages a 46-yard field goal. Never one to go through a Sugar Bowl without diligently attempting to fritter away any advantages, the Buckeyes go three-and-out. And so do the Hogs. And Devin Barclay is sent out for a 46-yard field goal. And just when things are getting really, really sleepy, Arkansas puts together a three-minute, seven-play touchdown drive that ends with a 22-yard scoring pass from Ryan Mallett to Jarius Wright, and a stretching two-point conversion by internet favorite D.J. Williams. The Buckeyes are driving as time runs out on the third quarter, with Ohio State leading Arkansas, 31-21.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more live scoring updates, and follow along with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey Widen Buckeyes' Halftime Lead

A Sugar Bowl that began looking like a shootout is beginning to take the shape of a blowout as the first half draws to a close. Following Dane Sanzenbacher's improbable touchdown, an answering Arkansas drive is cut short by a 10-yard penalty, Knile Davis being caught in the backfield by unfriendly tacklers, and an incomplete pass from Ryan Mallett on third down. Devin Barclay graciously misses a 50-yard field goal on the Buckeyes' next possession, but two sacks in a row on Mallett send the Arkansas o-line off with their heads hanging and Ohio State back on for a scoring drive.

It doesn't take long. A six-play, all-Terrelle Pryor scoring drive culminates in a 43-yard touchdown catch by DeVier Posey. Zach Hocker does manage a last-second field goal to close the half, but the gap, it is gulfy. Ohio State leads Arkansas, 28-10.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more live scoring updates, and follow along with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Terrelle Pryor & Dane Sanzenbacher Produce Another Improbable Buckeyes Touchdown

We're forced to wait a few minutes for the next burst of action in the 2011 Sugar Bowl, but the delay is well worth the reward, for those of you who enjoy impossible acrobatics.

Following Daniel Herron's touchdown jog, a rare sack on Ryan Mallett stymies an answering Razorbacks drive, but the Arkansas defense holds steadfast against a Buckeyes three-and-out. As the first quarter draws to a close, the Hogs churn out another futile possession.

The 12:36 mark, for those of you DVRing this, is where you'll  want to start paying attention, because that's when Terrelle Pryor wings a 42-yard rocket lob to Reid Fragel to move the Buckeyes halfway into Arkansas territory. (Haha, Arkansas territory! How quaint!)  A minute and a half of boring short-yardage plays follow, and then Pryor sidearms a 15-yard pass into the endzone, where it's caught by Dane Sanzenbacher despite the receiver having to carry an Arkansas defender piggyback at the same time. The play is reviewed, as is apparently the rule for all touchdowns this evening, stands, and with 10:30 remaining in the second quarter, Ohio State leads Arkansas, 21-7.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more live scoring updates, and follow along with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Terrelle Pryor Passes Big, But Daniel Herron's Legs Get The Score

It seems that no one is determined to play very much in the way of defense in the 2011 Sugar Bowl, which of course is just the way we viewers like it. Just over two minutes will elapse between the Arkansas tying touchdown and Ohio State's score to regain the lead.

Some short gains will be made on the ground, but it's Terrelle Pryor's arm that's converting downs this evening. Daniel Herron runs for one yard on first down; two plays later, Pryor hits the magnificently-named Jake Stoneburner for a 13-yard gain. Pryor himself gains three yards with his feet on the next first down, and connects with Dane Sanzenbacher for 31 yards on second. Herron reels off an 11-yard run on the next first down, and he'll get the ensuing score as well -- a nine-yard touchdown run right up the middle. With 7:31 remaining in the first quarter, Ohio State leads Arkansas, 14-7.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more live scoring updates, and follow along with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Terrelle Pryor Accidentally Hands Buckeyes An Early Lead; Ryan Mallett Counters

The 2011 Sugar Bowl is underway in the Louisiana Superdome, and right away it seems Ohio State has shown up to play to a degree unseen in their previous trips here. Ent-quarterback Ryan Mallett and his potent Arkansas offense are held to a three-and-out on their first possession; the Buckeyes set up at their own 26-yard line, and less than three minutes later, all hell breaks loose.

Let's see if we can follow what happens here: It's third-and-9 at the Arkansas 37. Terrelle Pryor gets chased from the pocket, scrambles right, is tackled just short of the endzone, and loses the ball. Two Arkansas players fall on it just inside the endzone, but the ball skitters away, and on it lands Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher for the first score of the evening. With 11:41 remaining in the first quarter, Ohio State leads Arkansas, 7-0.

Not to be outdone for flair, cuddly Razorbacks TE D.J. Williams catches a 35-yard pass and motors to the endzone, performing a daring barrel-roll over a would-be tackler on the way. This turns out to render the play a would-be touchdown, as Williams is ruled down when his wrist brushes the turf. No matter, at least for the scoreboard: Mallett hits Joe Adams for a 17-yard touchdown, and with 9:56 remaining in the first quarter, we're all tied up in New Orleans, 7-7.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more live scoring updates, and follow along with Razorbacks and Buckeyes fans in our game discussion threads.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Terrell Pyror, Ryan Mallett Set For A Showdown

If you haven't heard by now, Ohio State had a little controversy ahead of their date with the Arkansas Razorbacks. A few star athletes, including Terrell Pyror, made a quick buck selling memorabilia this season, using some of that money for tattoos. The horror! No matter, Pyror and the other five Ohio State players that ran afoul of the NCAA are ready to go for the Sugar Bowl.

With everything Pryor has done at Ohio State, wowing fans with his athleticism, is it possible he's still an underachiever? SB Nation's Arkansas Expats asked the question in a Q&A with Ohio State writer Ken Gordon.

That's a complex issue, and the bottom line is that short of winning a national championship, Pryor will be viewed as underachieving UNLESS he can deliver two more stellar performances in big-time bowl games, against Arkansas and again in 2011 (assuming he returns, which I think he will).

The Rose Bowl game last year was a tour de force for Pryor, no doubt. Ohio State is the last team to beat Oregon, keep in mind, and Pryor was the star. So if he can duplicate that on Jan. 4, then sit out however many games next year and come back and have a very good ending to the season, most fans will appreciate his tenure here.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett began the year with plenty of buzz, even having his name throw about in the Heisman conversation. That buzz has faded, but Mallett still possesses the raw skills to tear the Buckeye defense apart. SB Nation's Along the Olentangy examines Mallett ahead of Ohio State's Sugar Bowl date with the talented quarterback.

Mallett's greatest attribute is his arm strength, but his accuracy is not too shabby, either. He improved his completion percentage by eleven points-- to 66.5%-- from his sophomore season and threw for 3,582 yards and 30 touchdowns. He does have a tendency to force throws, though, and has 11 interceptions to prove it. Almost all of his interceptions are a result of trusting his arm strength too much, and it gets him into trouble against strong competition. Against the two best defenses he played this year, Alabama and LSU, Mallett threw multiple picks, with a number of other throws closely contested by defenders

Watch these two great college quarterbacks square-off in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4 at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more, and connect with Ohio State fans at SB Nation's Along The Olentangy (and Big Ten fans at Off Tackle Empire) and Arkansas fans at Arkansas Expats (and SEC fans at Team Speed Kills). For a complete list of bowl games, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.

2011 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas Prediction: Buckeyes Will Bounce Razorbacks

The 2010 college football postseason rolls on as it heads to the booze-soaked streets of New Orleans. It's time to start your betting engines as Ohio State and Arkansas hit the field in the Sugar Bowl. With bowl season slowly winding down, chances to blow money on meaningless college games are at a premium, so act fast..

The line: Ohio State by a field goal (3-3.5 points)

Notable Ohio State units: The Buckeyes boast a defense that hates giving up points -- like any good defense would. Ohio State ranks No. 3 in the nation in points allowed, giving up just 13.3 points per game. Their run game is pretty good, as well, rushing for 219.7 yards per game. Ohio State also scores in buckets, ranked No. 13 with 39.4 points scored per game.

Notable Arkansas units: The quarterback, of course. Ryan Mallett leads the No. 4 ranked passing offense into the Sugar Bowl, averaging 338.4 yards per game through the air. The Arkansas offense puts up 37.3 points per game, 14th best in the NCAA.

The pick: Since there's no justice in the world and the NCAA is a curious governing body, let's go with Ohio State in this one. The Buckeyes get to run out Terrell Pyror and the rest of the rest of the tattoo gang one more time before their five game suspension takes hold. Ohio to win and cover.

The 2011 Sugar Bowl kicks off at 8:30 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on ESPN. Browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule for a complete list of bowls.

2011 NFL Draft Prospects: Ryan Mallett Headlines Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl matchup between Arkansas and Ohio State features one top-end quarterback and another whose skills may or may not transfer to the NFL. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett possesses the raw, physical ability that makes NFL scouts drew, while Terrell Pryor can make plays with his legs and his arm at the college level. Between the two, the Sugar Bowl promises to be a fun matchup between two quarterbacks that bring vastly different skill-sets.

Where will Mallett land in the 2011 NFL Draft? Who from the Sugar Bowl will likely join him? SB Nation's Mocking the Draft has a look at the top prospects in 2011.

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas quarterback: Mallett comes in as the highest-ranked prospect in the Sugar Bowl. Ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect in the 2011 NFL Draft, Mallett's arm strength is enough to vault him into the franchise quarterback conversation, though he still sits a step behind Andrew Luck.

D.J. Williams, Arkansas tight end: Williams, a 6-foot-2, 250 pound tight end, checks-in at No. 49 in the latest top-200. In 2010, Williams caught 49 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns.

DeMarcus Love, Arkansas offensive lineman: 6-foot-5, 315 pound offensive tackle DeMarcus Love anchors the offensive line in charge of keeping Mallett upright. Love is ranked No. 65 in the Mocking the Draft top-200.

Cameron Heyward, Ohio State defensive end: The top-ranked Ohio State prospect comes from the defensive line this year. In 2010, Heyward finished with 42 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. He also rumbled for a 80-yard interception return for a touchdown. Heyward is ranked 11th in the latest top-100.

Michael Brewster, Ohio State center: Brewster leads a talented Ohio State offensive line that's been opening holes for the Buckeye backs all year long. Brewster checks-in at a hair under 300 pounds, measuring 6-foot-5, 293 pounds. Brewster is ranked 78th overall.

Justin Boren, Ohio State guard: Staying on the offensive line, Boren brings a 6-foot-3, 320 pound frame to the table. His body, apparently, is already NFL ready and Boren is one of the reasons Ohio State has been so successful on the ground. Boren just barely slides into the top-100, at No. 95.

Check out all the Ohio State and Arkansas prospects during the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4 at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.

2011 Sugar Bowl Game: TV Time, Location, History And More

As bowl season begins to wind down, we continue our look at each and every bowl to prepare make you, dear reader, the most knowledgeable college football fan in the land. Up next: The 2011 Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.

Proper name: The Allstate Sugar Bowl. Allstate has been the sponsor of the Sugar Bowl since 2007

Setting: The Superdome in New Orleans. There is nothing -- and I mean nothing -- like a bowl game in New Orleans.

Traditional conference pairing: SEC versus BCS at-large.

2010 matchup: The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) versus the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks (10-2).

Announcers: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe hook up for ESPN on the call this year. Coverage starts at 8 p.m. ET, with kick-off coming shortly after 8:30.

Weather: A cool 72 degrees with not a raindrop in sight. It's a dome, of course. Outside we're looking at cloudy with a high of 62 and a low of 53.

Neatest fact: The Sugar Bowl was born out of envy. The West Coast had the Rose Bowl, Florida had the Orange Bowl and New Orleans had nothing. A one-man crusade ended all that and gave us some delicious, bourbon-aided football.

Closest finish: In 1936, the Sugar Bowl ended when the TCU Horned Frogs defeated the LSU Tigers, 3-2. Six years later, Fordham defeated Missouri, 2-0.

Most lopsided finish: In 1950, Oklahoma pitched a shutout in a 35-0 win over LSU.

Tidbits of interest: Arkansas has appeared in the Sugar Bowl five times, winning only once. Ohio State hasn't fared much better, winning only one of their three appearances in the bowl. Notable MVPs: Tim Tebow, JaMarcus Russell, Dan Marino and Herschel Walker. Todd Blackledge, who's manning the booth, was the Sugar Bowl MVP in 1983.

The 2011 Sugar Bowl kicks off at 8:30 p.m. EST, Tuesday, January 4. The game will be televised on ESPN. For a complete list of bowls, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule

Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Vs. Arkansas: Terrelle Pryor's Last College Game (Until October)

Can the Ohio St. Buckeyes prevent the Big Ten from finishing this bowl season with the worst record of all conferences, or can the Arkansas Razorbacks complete the SEC's sweep of their Northern aggressors? Will the Sugar Bowl be the last college game for Terrelle Pryor (and company) in the wake of the team's pending suspensions? Will Bobby Petrino accept the newly vacated Cleveland Browns job at halftime?

Oh, and there's an actual game to be played, and the key unit matchup is clear.

Arkansas boasts the nation's fourth-best offense, if you go by yards per play. QB Ryan Mallett will be a first-round draft pick, having launched almost 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns this year, with WR Jarius Wright, WR Cobi Hamilton, and Mackey Award-winning TE D.J. Williams taking over as his top targets after the loss of WR Greg Childs.

Ohio State's defense ranks second in the nation in yards per game and per play and third in points per game. Most relevant: they're No. 6 in passing defense. They're led by six-foot-six, 288-pound DL Cameron Heyward, a possible top-ten NFL Draft pick next year, and senior OLB Ross Homan.

D vs. O, north vs. south (round four), sweater vest vs. mad scientist. This is gonna be a good one.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more, and connect with Ohio State fans at SB Nation's Along The Olentangy (and Big Ten fans at Off Tackle Empire) and Arkansas fans at Arkansas Expats (and SEC fans at Team Speed Kills). For a complete list of bowl games, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.