FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is set to begin its first season under coach Ryan Silverfield Saturday afternoon against a North Alabama program that comes into the game 1-0 following a Week Zero victory over Samford.It's a partly cloudy, 100-degree day in the Ozarks with a mild breeze and some cloud cover ahead of kickoff.Silverfield sprinted through "The A" and greeted every player entering the playing field behind him. He is certainly pumped up for his debut.Arkansas Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield looks to the field during the season opener against North Alabama. | Nilsen RomanFirst QuarterThe Razorbacks first drive started off well with a first down to CJ Brown, but Jackson's other two passes were errant throws. One incompletion thrown behind Sutton Smith with another nearly picked off by North Alabama.That's probably not the inaugral drive Silverfield was hoping for to begin his tenure. Perhaps that was first game jitters getting in the way.A penalty sent North Alabama's first drive backwards, including an open field tackle behind the line of scrimmage by transfer safety Christian Harrison to force third down.The Arkansas defense ended up forcing a three-and-out with Sutton Smith nearly taking a punt return the distance in his first try of the season. However, it was called back due to a block in the back penalty by Baylor transfer linebacker Jeremy Evans. Arkansas special teams coordinator Chad Lunsford has raved about Smith's return abilities all season long, and he certainly proved him right. The Razorbacks' second drive will now start at the 34-yard line.For the second straight drive, Arkansas started off with a positve play only to repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot. Jackson had a solid second down run called back for holding before a catch by Braylen Russell gained all the yardage back. The offense went stagnant once again with a dropped pass on third down by redshirt freshman Antonio Jordan. Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Antonio Jordan lines up for a drill during pregame. | Nilsen RomaDuring the media timeout, Darius Acuff, Jr. and Meleek Thomas were shown on the big screen and were greeted to a huge ovation from the crowd.Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts' creeper defense showed up in a big way on third down on the very next drive. He threw a pair of safeties after UNA quarterback Destin Wade, who three a pass in the dirt which resulted in an intentional grounding call.Following a quick timeout, the Razorbacks' offense will return to the field for its third drive. The offensive concepts that have been expected all summer long are there, but poor execution so far.West Virginia linebacker transfer Ben Bogle wwas everywhere on the Razorbacks' third defensive drive. He laid a huge hit on a UNA receiver for a negative play and followed it up nearly intercepting a pass by Wade.Arkansas' first scoring drive nearly ended before it started when Sutton Smith's 21-yard reception sparked the offense with a 12-yard carry by Braylen Russell to get them into scoring position for the first time.A pair of misfires by Jackson put them in third down again only for Ismael Cisse to find paydirt out of the slot on his first catch with the Razorbacks. Arkansas 7, North Alabama 0End of the first quarterArkansas coach Ryan Silverfield reacts during a play against North Alabama. | Nilsen Roman Second QuarterHello, Carter Stoutmire. He's been running mostly with the 2s this offseason at the STAR position (also known as nickelback). Roberts opted to bring pressure on third down once again with him coming up with the sack.He certainly lived up to the first syllable of his name because that was a a stout hit.Arkansas' fourth offensive drive looked a bit smoother than the others until KJ Jackson was sacked at the UNA 44-yard line. Sutton Smith had a first down run along with sophomore wideout AJ Jordan's first catch as a Razorback going for a first down.Protection on the left side has been a bit suspect during pass plays, but has improved throughout the first half on the run. A fourth-and-two sweep from Watkins resulted in a first down to extend the Hogs' first drive of the second quarter. Seems like the UNA defense is far from being as sharp in the first quarter, which could potentially open the offense.Another sweep from Watkins took Arkansas to the 2-yard line, but a holding penalty issued to left tackle Kavion Broussard pushed the run back to the UNA 19. Good to see another first Arkansas touchdown by Memphis transfer tight end Matt Adcock, who is known mostly for his blocking skills.I've said it repeatedly through the offense that the biggest question on this offense is at the left tackle spot and it continue to rear its ugly head with penalities and missed assignments from Broussard. Arkansas needs to get that figured out soon or Utah will generate negative plays repeatedly against their front.One play after KJ Jackson was strip sacked, the Razorbacks' defense did the same as Wade dropped the ball on the grass and Arkansas nabbed possession with the recovery. However, a huge reception by Jordan was called back one play later with Broussard being called as an ineligible man downfield. If you're keeping count at home that's his fourth penalty of the game.Arkansas offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey meets with a North Alabama coach prior to the game. | Nilsen RomanRunning between the tackles has ben a concern all day, and continues to be that way as halftime nears. Then, as we speak, Smith took a draw play up the gut for a first down, followed by a shifty spin move by CJ Brown to get within 2nd-and a long three.A few plays later, Jackson skipped a pass to Cisse to the right, which would've resulted in a first down. Arkansas ended the drive punting down to the 5-yard line. The first time today that junior linebacker Bradley Shaw got in on the action with an open field tackle after a five yard gain. He does look quicker and fluid with his movements compared to last season.Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Ben Bogle tackles a UNA offensive player during the season opener. | Nilsen RomanAs the second quarter dwindles down, it was nice to see the defense continue to buckle down and create opportunities for the offense. If there was just a little more execution, fewer penalties and less negative plays then this game could look more like a four-score game going into the locker room.Still can't say enough about the way Bogle has played in his first game in an Arkansas uniform. He has really brought pressure defensively and seeked out physicality at every moment in the first half.More of the same to close the first half for Arkansas' offense. The play calling was ultra-conservative and play so uninspiring despite so much energy coming from the defense.Third QuarterArkansas' defense continues to stifle the UNA offense in the third quarter. A big hit from Howard transfer linebacker Ja'Quavion Smith and an open field tackle from cornerback Joker Johnson kept the Lions at bay once again.The Razorbacks' first drive of the second half started quicker with a 7-yard reception by Chris Marshall, Smith was stopped for a short yardage, but Russell was able to pickup the first down. Hogs' have some issues in run blocking...hopefully that is just a result of UNA's injection of FBS transfers to the defensive line.Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Carter Stoutmire celebrates following a tackle for loss against North Alabama. | Nilsen Roman It appeared Cramsey was dead set on forcing the issue in the run game during that drive with seven carries for 28 yards, which put the Razorbacks in scoring position. This was also the best possession from a production standpoint for Jackson as he completed 5-of-5 passes for 45 yards with a touchdown to tight end Jaden Platt.Third quarter, 6:49 to go: Arkansas 21, North Alabama 0I'm still not completely sure what to make of this game through 2.5 quarters, but this has been one of the more underwhelming openers since I started following the Razorbacks closely in 2003. The offense has been a mixed bag, but the defense has shown more than enough to potentially improve off last year's performance (given 85% of the 2025 unit are no longer with the program).Khmori House has been all over the place from his STAR position, he still has linebacker tendancies but still good in coverage. Been an impressive debut from the guy Roberts has talked about being one of his next great safeties.The ensuing possession saw Smith fumble the drive away at the 35-yard line with less than four minutes to go in the third quarter. He's not had a very good debut as a Hog with 11 carries for 28 yards along with three receptions for 38 yards in the passing game. This has really been a tough debut for Silverfield, who prides himself on his team taking care of the controllables. Three turnovers, penalties, and missed blocking assignments are just a few of the miscues that need to be cleaned up this week before heading out west to face Utah in Salt Lake City.Fourth QuarterThe fans filtered out of the stands, especially on the east side where the sun bears down. They probably had enough of an uninspired performance to start the Silverfield era.The running game has left much to be desired throughout the day without a single player eclipsing the 50-yard mark on the day. Arkansas finally got on the board in the final stanza with a Max Gilbert field goal.Arkansas 31, North Alabama 14Defensively, the Razorbacks limited UNA to just 32 yards rushing on just 1.7 yards per carry, and that has to count for something going into next week.Final Score: Arkansas 31, North Alabama 14This story will be updated throughout the game to provide reactions along the way.Sign up to our free newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter) for the latest news.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow