First Half Analysis: Toledo at Arkansas

RECAP:
Score: Toledo 9, Arkansas 7

Entering Toledo's first-ever contest with Arkansas, they opened as a 21 point favorite. With no respect granted to the smaller Mid-American Conference foe, Toledo made sure they earned some. Senior quarterback, Philip Ely came out firing for the Rockets, connecting with Corey Jones for a five yard touchdown pass to give Toledo an early 6-0 lead following a missed two-point conversion. Toledo's defense would impress early, blocking a poorly snapped punt, which was the first blocked punt for the Rockets since 2011 against Ohio State and making several key third down stops against the Razorbacks.

Late in the first half, Arkansas would attempt to convert on a fourth-and-one from the Toledo 34-yard line. Razorback head coach, Bret Bielema would send out his jumbo package in a goal-line like formation. The hand-off would go to runningback Alex Collins, who was stopped inches short of the first down and Toledo took over. From there, quarterback Philip Ely took over and connected with Corey Jones on a 24-yard over-the-shoulder grab to the Arkansas 31-yard line. The Rockets would stall out at the 21-yard line and true-freshman kicker Jameson Vest would connect on a 38-yard field goal, despite having his previous field goal attempt blocked, to give Toledo a 9-7 lead with 1:06 left to play in the opening half.

After Arkansas shot themselves in the foot with penalties in the final drive of the first half, Toledo would take a 9-7 lead into the locker rooms at the half. Sure, it's only one half, but the Rockets entered as a 24 point underdog, according to ESPN right before kickoff.

ANALYSIS: 

Philip Ely looked tremendous in the opening half. As stated, it was one half of football. However, last season, the Rockets would need time to get their offense going. Today, Ely came out looking sharp and playing smart. If something wasn't there, he'd check it down or throw the ball away, which was a key to entering the game in front of 50,000 screaming SEC fans.

The interesting part to the first half was Toledo choosing to throw the ball so often on their opening possession, even without Kareem Hunt. In fact, Toledo threw the ball eleven times in their first thirteen plays. In the opening half, Marc Remy and Damion Jones-Moore showed glimpses of elusiveness and play-making, racking up 39 yards combined on nine carries. Despite being outgained 278-to-216 in total yardage for the first half, the Rockets were right in the game in the opening half.

At wide receiver, Corey Jones dropped two key passes early in the game, but made up for it with a touchdown reception and a few beautiful receptions later in the first half, good for four catches and 36 yards. The Rockets will need to look for their key threat, Alonzo Russell, more often as the game continues. Arkansas' defensive secondary is undersized with one safety over six-feet tall. Russell caught one ball for 32 yards in the opening 30 minutes, which will need to improve as the game goes on. True freshman wide out, Diontae Johnson stepped up and played a major role in the opening half by contributing a beautiful grab for 27 yards and should be a major threat, especially speed-wise, in the second half.

The offensive line has surprisingly held up in the first thirty as well, aside from two key offside penalties on the Rockets' opening possession. Ely has been quick to get the ball out against a dangerous front seven as well, which will need to continue.

Defensively, the Rockets have played extremely well. Despite giving up 278 total yards in the opening half, Toledo got off of the field on third downs, holding Arkansas to 2-for-5 on conversions. A key fourth down stop late in the first half set up a Jameson Vest field goal which gave Toledo the lead going into the locker rooms as well.

The key to the second half: limit mistakes and continue to get off of the field. Long Arkansas possessions will tire Toledo's solid defensive efforts. If the Rockets win the time of possession in the second half, they'll be able to pull off the upset over No. 18 Arkansas. Book it. Current time of possession going into the half: Arkansas leads 17:26 to 12:34.