The running success helped Arkansas' new two-quarterback system build a 28-3 halftime lead and allowed plenty of starters to start resting before the end of the second quarter as they looked ahead to next week's game at No. 6 Texas .
Matt Jones, the starting quarterback, directed two touchdown drives in four chances during the first half, while Ryan Sorahan led Arkansas to the end zone on both of his first-half opportunities.
Tulsa quarterback James Kilian completed 15-of-31 passes for 151, but he was hurried on several throws and penalties hurt the Golden Hurricane at every turn. Uril Parrish gave the Golden Hurricane its only touchdown with a 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
Cobbs had 100 yards in the first half and he scored in Arkansas' season opener for the fifth straight season with a 58-yard rushing touchdown on the first possession. Cobbs was given a medical redshirt year in 2000 when he separated his right shoulder after three games.
On an option pitch, Cobbs left Tulsa defensive back Bobby Blackshire grabbing air as he turned the corner toward the end zone. Cobbs picked up good yardage running between the tackles.
He then picked up first downs on his first three carries in the second half. He just missed an 80-touchdown run on the first play of the second half when Tulsa defensive end Jeremy Davis tripped him up on a 23-yard gain.
Arkansas coach Houston Nutt only tipped his hand once in the week leading up to the season opener on how he might use his two quarterbacks. He said that, when he was Arkansas' backup quarterback under Lou Holtz in the late 1970s, he always entered the game on the third series.
Sorahan started the third series Saturday, calling an audible on his first play that resulted in a 48-yard completion to receiver Richard Smith, who ran a 5-yard sideline route and turned upfield.
Howard capped that drive with a 2-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to give Arkansas a 14-3 lead. Howard scored his second touchdown on a 5-yard run late in the third quarter.
Sorahan completed 3 of 4 passes on his second possession, which started at the Arkansas 47. His 8-yard touchdown pass to George Wilson gave the Razorbacks a 21-3 lead.
Sorahan converted two third downs on the drive and he hit tight end Jason Peters for a 12-yard reception.
Peters had a good performance in passing game coordinator Roy Wittke's first effort. Wittke put more emphasis on throwing to the tight end and Peters, who had seven receptions in two years, made two tough catches in the first half for 18 yards.
An interception by Ahmad Carroll gave Jones his fourth series and the junior quarterback needed two plays. Jones took an option keeper 53 yards for a touchdown, leaving Blackshire grasping for air once again and giving Arkansas a 28-3 lead.
Wittke's new offensive wrinkles also include more downfield passes and Jones provided them, too. He hit Smith on a 41-yard touchdown down the middle of the field midway through the fourth quarter.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/9/173231