Eighth-ranked Arkansas racked up big play after big play, routing Tennessee 49-7 on Senior Day in front of 72,103 fans at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The Razorbacks had three scoring plays of 40 yards or more and racked up 499 yards of offense in their sixth consecutive win.

“I thought we played well in all three phases,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “Certainly had big plays in all three phases. It was a good, good team win for us.”

Hogs senior receiver Joe Adams had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter, junior running back Dennis Johnson broke a 71-yard touchdown run in the second and junior quarterback Tyler Wilson hit senior receiver Joe Adams for a 40-yard touchdown in the third.

“Big plays kind of get their hope down,” senior receiver Jarius Wright said. “They probably felt at one time that everything was going against them.”

Arkansas built a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and the Volunteers never pulled closer than 14.

“To win the game the way we did tonight was a great win,” Petrino said. “I liked the way we put them back to back, last week and then here.”

The Razorbacks took a double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter on Adams’ highlight-reel return.

He fielded the ball at the 40-yard line, broke a tackle, retreated to the 30 and broke four more tackles. He raced down the sideline, swerved toward the middle of the field, then headed back toward the sideline, following a wall of blockers for his third punt return for a touchdown this season.

“That’s like one of those where you go, ‘Oh no, don’t run backward, don’t run, ooh. OK. Here he goes. Oh my gosh. Touchdown,’” Petrino said. “It was an amazing play and certainly showed his athleticism.”

Adams’ return was the fourth punt return for a touchdown in his career, ranking fourth all-time in the SEC. His three touchdowns this season are second-best SEC single-season history.

His 68-yard punt return for a touchdown in the season opener against Missouri State was a SportsCenter top play on ESPN. The return Saturday was reminiscent, but he broke more tackles.

“I surprise myself,” Adams said. “I try to play a lot of NCAA (Football 12), do some plays on there and try to bring it to the game. It’s one of my top plays.”

Tennessee cut the lead to 21-7 and had an opportunity to make it a closer game before halftime. Hogs senior safety Tramain Thomas intercepted Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley at the goal line with 31 seconds left in the half.

“I thought it was huge,” Petrino said. “It was a great momentum saver for us.”

The defense allowed 376 yards, but gave up just the one touchdown.

“We started out fast,” defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “We kind of had the old bend, but don’t break because we were concerned about a couple of their receivers and tight ends. The kids played hard throughout the night.

“We did a very good job. The one drive they scored a touchdown on, I’ll put that on me.”

Arkansas extended its lead to 28-7 on Johnson’s second touchdown of the night, a 15-yard score with 7:07 left in the third quarter.

Johnson finished with 97 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while catching four passes for 43 yards. He entered the game averaging 189 all-purpose yards the last three games.

The Razorbacks ran for 254 yards and had 245 passing yards, the first time this season the Hogs have had more rushing yards.

“I certainly like when we start cranking up the running game,” Petrino said. “That certainly helps us and makes us a much better football team.

Wilson struggled at times in the first half, but hit Adams in stride for a 40-yard touchdown to give Arkansas a 35-7 lead late in the third quarter.

He completed 16 of 26 passes for 224 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

“We felt like we could have been a little better in the first half, but he really came out in the second half and made big plays,” Petrino said.

Adams finished with two catches for 52 yards, tying Anthony Eubanks school-record 153 career catches.

Wright beat him to the record, though, finishing with five catches for 94 yards and one touchdown, breaking Eubanks’ record and giving him 155 career catches.

“I’ll have to even it up next week,” Wilson said. “That’s great. I’m happy for both those guys. They deserve it.”