After another tough loss, Bielema asks for consistency from the refs
Arkansas is the most penalized team in the SEC following their first four games of the season, which includes a season-high 11 penalties in the Texas A&M game. Bret Bielema has gone on record saying the SEC has the nation's best officials, but even he thinks they need to be more consistent with some calls.
"The only thing I asked the officials and kind of sent in [to the SEC office] was if it's going happen, let's have it go both ways," Bielema said this week. "That was the frustrating part."
One play that particularly stood out in Bielema's mind was the 63-yard pass play Arkansas surrendered late in the game that set up the Aggies for the tying touchdown.
"Mitch Loewen hit a speed rush from the three technique and got yanked down from behind," Bielema said. "If that call comes back, it literally changes the game. It changes the game, changes the play, it changes a season. That's how delicate these things are."
Arkansas has cost themselves points in the red zone far too often this season with scoring plays called back by via penalty and now with the big no call going against them, Bielema may be justified in his complaint.
If Arkansas can simply stop beating themselves for a change, they could very well walk out of Neyland Stadium with a big win Saturday.