The Traveler

Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jonathan Gibson Tulsa running back Tarrion Adams has the ball knocked away by the Razorback defense. The top-ranked offense of the Golden Hurricane only scored 23 points, its lowest output of the season.

Arkansas freshman Dennis Johnson had been on the verge of returning a kick-off to the house all season. He would build up speed and then make an explosive cut, only to get tripped up or run into a jumble of defenders.

The unbeaten No. 18 Tulsa Golden Hurricane avoided Johnson returns by booting kick-offs deep into the endzone. However, with Arkansas struggling to score an offensive touchdown late in the game, Tulsa accidentally kicked short and then watched as Johnson finally made good on his ability.

"[Johnson] hit a seam inside and then saw it open up and went outside," Razorback head coach Bobby Petrino said. "He made their kicker miss and no one could catch him."

Johnson's 96-yard dash would be the game-winning score as the Hogs (4-5, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) were victorious in their homecoming 30-23. They simultaneously ended the undefeated dream season of Tulsa (8-1, 5-0 Conference USA).

"I'd been close to breaking returns this season," Johnson said. "I thought about it the night before the game. I told myself, 'The first chance I get, I'm going to break one.'"

In the aftermath of the touchdown, Arkansas drew a penalty for excessive celebration. The officiating crew told Petrino that Johnson had beaten his chest after making the score.

Johnson had no recollection of that, but did not deny some celebration.

"I'm not exactly sure what the penalty was for," Johnson said. "I know I high-stepped and high-fived a bunch of fans. I gave out a lot of high-fives."

Sophomore Alex Tejada converted the ensuing extra point.

After temporarily losing his job as starting extra-point and field-goal kicker, Tejada made his return against Tulsa.

Tejada, who had a rough stretch of inaccurate kicking early in the year, had been showing his skill and much more confidence in recent practices, coaches said.

"Tejada has all kinds of talent, but I think he's done a nice job of staying focused and positive while waiting for his chance to come back," Petrino said. "I can't say enough about a guy fighting through a tough performance and coming back. We certainly needed him to win the game."

Continued...

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