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Arkansas Football: Takeaways from SEC shootout against Vanderbilt

By Andrew Miller

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Kyle Shurmur #14 hands off the ball to Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Kyle Shurmur #14 hands off the ball to Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

3. Connor Noland might be a better option than Ty Storey

It’s hard to fault the efforts of starting Arkansas football quarterback Ty Storey of late with how tough he played against Ole Miss and here against Vanderbilt. But, coming into this game, Storey had less than 1,000 passing yards for seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s not getting it done on the level this new look Arkansas offense needs from its quarterback.

It does seem as if Storey is more of a temporary fix for an offense that has much bigger plans for the next two or three years. With a pending commitment from the former Clemson Tigers quarterback and graduate transfer target Kelly Bryant, the starter under center for the Razorbacks this year might be destined for a backup role either way in 2019.

Against Tulsa, Storey was out due to injuries suffered in the four-point loss the week prior to Ole Miss. That gave the start to true freshman former four-star quarterback recruit Connor Noland. In the 23-0 win over Tulsa, Noland didn’t have the best stat line ever but he did what he needed to do with a completion percentage over 60 percent and one game-winning touchdown pass.

Storey finished the game with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He rode rising star tight end C.J. O’Grady to the tune of more than 80 receiving yards and a nice touchdown catch at the end of the fourth quarter. All in all, Noland offers the Arkansas offense a brighter future even with Storey making some strides in his game.

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