FAYETTEVILLE -- Bret Bielema handled his postgame press conference, minutes after he had been notified of his firing by interim athletic director Julie Cromer Peoples, with class and composure. He only got emotional when mentioning that he had a beautiful daughter [Briella] "who will forever be born in Fayetteville."
He later thanked Cromer Peoples and UA Chancellor Joe Steinmetz for being awesome and said he was there to continue helping the program.
"Moving forward, I will do anything and everything I can to help Arkansas," Bielema said. "I'm a bigger fan of Arkansas now than ever. I know that. I'll work with whoever they end up naming. If they want my help, I'll be here 10-fold to help them. As long as I'm not working some place else, within reason.
OK timing
While many national analysts were openly criticizing University of Arkansas officials for the timing and manner of Bret Bielema's firing immediately after the 48-45 loss to Missouri, Bielema made his peace with it.
"Everybody was probably like, 'Whoa, they got him right after that!" Bielema said. "But I'd much rather have it this way than think about it. I was going on the road recruiting tomorrow, so that kind of sums that up. I got to say goodbye to at least 80 of the players that were in that locker room. A lot of emotion running through there. I think that's a great indication of the trademark or the imprint that you've had on their lives."
Striped sight
The SEC officiating crew headed up by referee Hubert Owens appeared to miss several calls in the Missouri- Arkansas game.
Missouri receiver J'Mon Moore appeared to get away with shoving cornerback Henre Toliver to the ground before grabbing his 25-yard touchdown pass that put the Tigers ahead 45-42 with 8:14 remaining.
"This was a hitch-and-go and Toliver read it perfectly," CBS analyst Rick Neuheisel said.
"Look at the push-off right there, Rick," his fellow analyst Aaron Taylor said. "Henre Toliver got pushed in the back by J'Mon Moore, who got away with what could have been an offensive pass interference call, and that's why [Bret] Bielema is upset."
Toliver was called for pass interference on Missouri's second possession on a ball that fell more than 10 yards beyond Moore. On that one, Taylor said "I don't believe that ball was catchable. They could have let that call go."
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen came up from a 7-yard sack by Marcell Frazier in the first quarter indicating he was pulled down by his face mask. Arkansas fans booed loudly when the play was shown on the video board.
The fans were even more heated when Allen jumped up demonstrably complaining that Terry Beckner Jr. yanked him down by his face mask on a 1-yard sack on Arkansas' first possession of the second half.
"He got away with one right there," Neuheisel said.
Big yards
Missouri's 696 total yards in Friday's 48-45 victory over the Razorbacks ranked as the third-most yards allowed in a game by Arkansas.
The Tigers racked up 448 passing yards by quarterback Drew Lock and 248 rushing yards.
The record for an Arkansas opponent was the 736 yards gained by USC during a 70-17 victory in 2005. Texas A&M holds the record for an SEC opponent against Arkansas with 716 yards in its 58-10 victory in College Station, Texas in 2012.
Following Missouri's 696 yards, the No. 4 total against Arkansas was 632 yards by Auburn in last year's 56-3 victory, 631 yards by Mississippi State in its 51-50 victory in 2015, 629 yards by Auburn in a 53-20 victory this season and 628 yards by Texas A&M in the Hogs' 42-38 victory in 2011 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Four Arkansas opponents piled up 500 or more yards this season: 501 by Texas A&M, Auburn's 629 yards, 566 yards by Ole Miss and Missouri's big game on Friday.
Bless the press
Bret Bielema gave plenty of thanks and appreciation during his postgame remarks, including a nod to the media.
"And I have enjoyed working with you guys," he said. "I do mean that with all due respect. One of the first things I said when I got here was I didn't want to make anybody's job harder. That's just not my personality.
"We may not agree with you at times. May have said something. Never did get anything out of the ordinary. I love people that love their job. And I know you guys love your jobs and you have jobs to do. It is what it is."
More tweets
Arkansas Razorbacks players came out on social media to offer praise and support for fired Coach Bret Bielema.
Senior defensive back and team captain Kevin Richardson praised Bielema for taking a chance on him as a walk-on who lived out a dream playing for the Razorbacks.
"Respect what you did for this program that fans don't see. It's not just wins and losses. It's about life too, and I learned so much here."
Center Frank Ragnow, also a captain, wrote that he could not have survived the death of his father during the 2016 season without Bielema's support.
"Happy to know I have a mentor and a friend for life," Ragnow wrote. "This staff was unbelievable and I hope people realize it. Truly Uncommon."
Senior nose guard Bijhon Jackson, whose marriage proposal was accepted by his girlfriend Brianna Biehl after his senior day walk, wrote, "Even after he lost his job, telling us to make sure we go to class on Monday. Nothing else to be said."
Wrote tailback Devwah Whaley, "He genuinely cares for his players and everybody in the program. He was a great leader. Thank you Coach B for the opportunities you gave me for being successful on and off the field."
High score
The 2017 Razorbacks allowed a school-record 434 points, breaking the previous high mark of 404 points allowed last season.
Arkansas' opponents averaged 36.2 points per game. Missouri was the fifth opponent to score 40-plus points on the Hogs this season and the eighth to score 33 or more.
Conference opponents outscored the Razorbacks 337-208 for an average score of 42-26.
Extra points
• Linebacker De'Jon Harris led the Razorbacks with 14 tackles, bringing his season total to 115, the second-highest mark at Arkansas since Matt Hewitt had 118 in 2007.
• Kicker Connor Limpert improved to 8 of 9 on field goals this season, connecting on a 42-yard try in the fourth quarter to make him 3 of 4 from 40 yards or longer.
• Arkansas went 2 of 2 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone, to improve to 75 percent touchdown scoring inside the 20. That figure was tied for No. 11 in the country heading into Saturday.
Players of the week
Offense
RB David Williams
The senior transfer from Philadelphia amassed 113 all-purpose yards. He rushed 11 times for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns and averaged 6.8 yards per carry and caught 2 passes for 38 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown.
Defense
CB Henre Toliver and LB De'Jon Harris
Toliver, of Marrero, La., had 2 interceptions he returned for 63 yards, 9 tackles and a 33-yard punt return. Harris, of Harvey, La., had 14 tackles, 3 hurries and a sack and led the Hogs in tackles for the seventh time.
Sports on 11/26/2017