No. 8 Arkansas had its chances.
The Razorbacks (10-3) couldn’t capitalize and No. 6 Ohio State hung on for a 31-26 Sugar Bowl win.
The Hogs last chance came after redshirt freshman Colton Miles-Nash blocked Ben Buchanan’s punt and freshman Julian Horton recovered at the Buckeyes’ 18-yard line with 1:09 remaining in the contest.
Arkansas’ comeback hopes ended two plays later when quarterback Ryan Mallett was intercepted by Ohio State defensive end Solomon Thomas with 58 seconds left.
The interception was the final missed opportunity in a contest filled with blown chances for the Razorbacks.
“Tough loss for us,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “We had our opportunities and weren’t able to capitalize on them. We are a very good football team. I’m very proud of this football team, what they accomplished throughout the year and then showed their character and toughness in the second half.”
Horton was surrounded by Hogs, but fell on the ball instead of trying to scoop-and-score.
“That’s what they were trying to do is trying to scoop it and score it,” Petrino said. “Looked like (Horton) had it the first time and I think the second time he just wanted to make sure he got on the ball. We practice it all the time. It was very, very well-executed. Coach (John L.) Smith had a great plan to go get it.
“We were going to take a shot in the second half on blocking one. We got it done and unfortunately we weren’t able to scoop and score.”
Mallett finished the contest 24-of-47 for 277 yards, two touchdowns and was sacked four times. The interception to seal the win for the Buckeyes (12-1) was his defining play, though.
“It was a tough play. It’s not the way you want to end the year, obviously,” Mallett said “I haven’t thought about my future. This hurts as a team. We’ve been so close all year and we’re going to continue to be that way. We’re going to come back swinging and get ready to take another shot at the BCS.”
The Razorbacks trailed 28-10 at halftime and had missed opportunities in the first half. The Buckeyes scored their first touchdown after quarterback Terrelle Pryor fumbled into the end zone and receiver Dane Sanzenbacher recovered after two Hogs collided when trying to recover the fumble.
Joe Adams dropped two touchdown passes, including one on the first play of the contest. Mallett had a pass batted down on fourth-and-1 from Ohio State’s 30-yard line in the second quarter.
“That’s the one thing when you play a game like this and a great football team like Ohio State is every play counts,” Petrino said. “We’ll go back and watch the video and I know I’m going to say there will be 10, 12, 14 plays, any one of those could have been the difference in a win and a loss.”
The Buckeyes got their first bowl win in 10 tries against an SEC school.
“I think it’s a big deal because Arkansas is a great team,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “Every year you don’t get to play an SEC team. They have a great conference, no one could refute that. To be able to beat a team like that, it’s special.”