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Liberty Bowl: Alex Collins, Brandon Allen lead Arkansas to win vs Kansas State

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) carries the ball against Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Kendall Adams (21) during the first half at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) carries the ball against Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Kendall Adams (21) during the first half at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alex Collins, Brandon Allen and the Arkansas Razorbacks beat the Kansas State Wildcats in the Liberty Bowl.

Arkansas won their third straight bowl game for the first time in program history and running back Alex Collins entered the Razorbacks record book with a dominating outing against Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats.

Kansas State had to turn to wide receiver Kody Cook to play quarterback in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and as you might expect, he had limited success against Arkansas in the 45-23 loss.

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He was 12 of 24 for 163 yards and a touchdown before Joe Hubener came in with the game at 45-23 late in the fourth quarter and turned it over on his first play. Without a quarterback, it is tough to beat anyone, let alone this Arkansas team that was rolling behind Collins and Allen.

The senior quarterback, Allen went out a winner with one of his best games of the season to wrap up a fantastic season and cement himself as one of the best quarterbacks in program history. He was 20 of 26 for 315 yards and a touchdown and one interception.

Collins upstaged his quarterback and topped the 100-yard mark for the tenth time this year, tying the single-season program record held by two-time Heisman finalist Darren McFadden. He also broke the single-season touchdown record previously held by Bill Burnett with his 20th touchdown of the year, breaking the record that stood since 1969.

And he did it in impressive fashion with this run in the fourth quarter to make it 38-23. He finished the game with 185 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. He’s likely to declare for the NFL Draft along with All-American tight end Hunter Henry who had five catches for 92 yards.

"Alex Collins:"

The final score reflects a blowout, but it was a competitive game for most of the first three quarters. Kansas State trailed 14-10 after the first quarter, 24-13 at halftime and it was an eight-point game at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Things got off the rails in the fourth quarter with the Arkansas offensive line wearing down the Kansas State front seven and outscoring the Wildcats 14-0 in the fourth quarter.

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The Arkansas Razorbacks win a bowl game for the third straight year for the first time in program history while we’re left to wonder if this was the last game for Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder.

Arkansas finishes the year with an 8-5 record while Kansas State ends the year 6-7.

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