Jan. 1
Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin 17 ... Arkansas 14
Wisconsin was outgained 232 yards to -5 on the ground, but got
a big first half out of QB John Stocco, who connected with Paul
Hubbard for a 22-yard touchdown and Travis Beckum for a 13-yard
score. Taylor Mehlhaff hit a Capital Bowl record 52-yard field goal
for all the points the Badgers would need, but it was close.
Penalties (12 for 123 yards) and missed opportunities were the
problem for Arkansas in the second half as it hung around with a
12-yard Felix Jones touchdown run early in the fourth. Jones tore
off a 76-yard touchdown in the first quarter on the first play after
the Mehlhaff field goal and finished with 150 yards on just 14
carries.
Player of the game ...
Wisconsin LB Mark
Zalewski made nine tackles, a tackles for loss and an interception.
Stat Leaders: Arkansas - Passing: Casey Dick, 9-21, 98
yards
Rushing: Felix Jones, 14-150, 2 TD Receiving: Robert
Johnson, 4-46
Wisconsin- Passing: John Stocco, 14-34, 206 yds, 2 TD, 2
INT
Rushing: P.J. Hill, 19-36 Receiving: Travis Beckum, 5-82, 1 TD
Notes & Thoughts ...
How did Wisconsin win this game? If you had said before
the game that the Badgers would finish with -5 rushing yards,
Arkansas would've thought it'd win by 50. ... The Hogs were as
creative as possible with the running game, but there wasn't any
consistency with the passing attack with Casey Dick, Mitch Mustain,
and Darren McFadden each getting work. Mustain was good enough to
show he should be the main man going into 2007. He's too good to not
develop. ... Wisconsin was more than able to handle the Arkansas
overall speed, but there's no answer anywhere for Felix Jones and
McFadden when they get on the outside. These two are so amazing that
if they get any sort of room, they're gone. ... Jamaal Anderson
destroyed the Wisconsin O line. Joe Thomas was fine, but it was an
awful performance by the front five. They couldn't handle the
five-man Hog defensive front.
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
9-3
2006 Record: 10-4
Preview
2006 predicted
wins
|
| 9/2 |
USC L 50-14 |
| 9/9 |
Utah State
W 20-0 |
| 9/16 |
at Vanderbilt
W 21-19 |
| 9/23 |
Alabama
W 24-23 2OT |
| 10/7 |
at Auburn W 27-10 |
| 10/14 |
SE Missouri St
W 63-7 |
| 10/21 |
Ole Miss
W 38-3 |
| 10/28 |
UL Monroe
W 44-10 |
| 11/4 |
at S. Carolina
W 26-20 |
| 11/11 |
Tennessee
W 31-14 |
| 11/18 |
at Miss State
W 28-14 |
|
11/25 |
LSU L 31-26 |
|
12/2 |
SEC Championship
Florida L 38-28 |
|
1/1 |
Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin L 17-14 |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
6-5
2005 Record: 4-7
Preview
2005 predicted
wins
|
| 9/3 |
SW Missouri St
W 49-17 |
| 9/10 |
Vanderbilt
L 28-24 |
| 9/17 |
at USC L 70-17 |
| 9/24 |
at Alabama L 24-13 |
| 10/8 |
UL Monroe
W 44-14 |
| 10/15 |
Auburn L 34-17 |
| 10/22 |
at Georgia L 23-20 |
| 11/5 |
South Carolina
L 14-10 |
| 11/12 |
at Ole Miss
W 28-17 |
| 11/19 |
Miss State
W 44-10 |
| 11/26 |
at LSU L 19-17 |
|
Dec. 2
SEC Championship
Florida 38 ... Arkansas 28
Florida got up 17-0 helped by a nine-yard Chris Leak run and a
37-yard pass to Percy Harvin, but had a fight on its hands the rest of the way.
Arkansas used everything possible to generate offense with Marcus Monk catching
a 48-yard touchdown pass from Casey Dick, Darren McFadden threw a two-yard
touchdown pass to Felix Jones, and WR Cedric Washington threw a 29-yard
touchdown pass to Jones on a double-pass. A 40-yard interception return for a
touchdown by tackle Antwain Robinson off a Leak pitch gave the Hogs a 21-17
third quarter lead, but the Gators got the big plays to take the lead for good
with a botched Arkansas punt return recovered for a Florida touchdown
and Harvin ripping off a 67-yard touchdown run for a 31-21 lead. The Gators put
the game away on a five-yard pass from Andre Caldwell to Tate Casey.
Player of the game ...
Florida WR Percy
Harvin caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown and ran six times for 105
yards and a score and LB Brandon Siler made 12 tackles
Stat Leaders: Florida - Passing: Chris Leak, 16-30, 189 yds,
1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Percy Harvin, 6-105, 1 TD Receiving: Cornelius
Ingram, 6-71
Arkansas - Passing: Drew Weatherford 16-37, 181 yds, 1
TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Lorenzo Booker, 10-61 Receiving: Chris Davis, 6-85
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Arkansas
didn't get its running game going against Florida and Casey Dick had
his second straight average game, but was still in the game thanks
to creative play calling to get something, anything going with the
passing attack. With four turnovers, especially the fumbled punt
return by Reggie Fish, the young team showed its age and jitters,
but never seemed to panic even when things went wrong. Darren
McFadden and Felix Jones never broke free, and Dick didn't do enough
to loosen things up and move the eight men out of the box, but it
was still a strong performance even in a loss.
Nov. 24
LSU 31 ... Arkansas 26
In a wild fourth quarter stretch, LSU increased its lead to
24-12 on a seven-yard touchdown catch from Early Doucet only to see
Darren McFadden take the next play from scrimmage 80 yards for a
score. Just when it seemed like Arkansas had all the momentum,
Trindon Holliday returned the ensuing kickoff for a score. Arkansas
was able to get within six on a Felix Jones five-yard touchdown run,
but failed on its final drive when Casey Dick misfired on four
straight passes. Arkansas ran for 298 yards and three touchdowns
along with a 21-yard Marcus Monk touchdown catch, but the lack of a
consistent passing game proved to be the downfall. JaMarcus Russell
threw two touchdown passes for the Tigers highlighted by a 47-yard
play to Craig Davis in the second quarter.
Player of the game ... In a losing cause, Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran
21 times for 182 yards and two touchdowns, completed two of two
passes for 33 yards, and caught a pass for seven yards.
Stat Leaders: LSU - Passing: JaMarcus Russell, 14-22, 210
yds, 2 TD
Rushing:
Keiland Williams, 13-68, 1 TD Receiving: Dwayne Bowe,
5-68
Arkansas - Passing: Darren McFadden, 2-2, 33
yds
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 21-182, 2 TD Receiving: Robert
Johnson, 1-28
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... If
you're a running team with backs who can rip off 80 yards a shot,
why are you throwing the ball on the game's most important drive? QB
Casey Dick was overmatched against LSU. He wasn't making the right
reads, the right decisions, or the types of throws and plays a D-I
level quarterback, especially on in the thick of a national title
hunt, is supposed to make. While the national title dream is gone,
winning the SEC title and going off to the BCS will hardly be a
booby prize. While the season has been special and can still be
something unbelievable, this loss proves that Mitch Mustain has to
progress this off-season for Arkansas to have a realistic shot at
being a national champion next year.
Nov. 18
Arkansas 28 ... Mississippi State 14
Arkansas was held to 128 rushing yards, but got an 87-yard
interception return for a score from Chris Houston and answered a
65-yard Anthony Dixon scoring run with a 92-yard Darren McFadden
kickoff return for a touchdown to end a wild first quarter. The
Bulldogs tied it a 14 on a 22-yard Tony Burks touchdown catch, but
starting quarterback Michael Henig was knocked out with a collarbone
injury and the offense was never the same. Damien Williams caught a
29-yard touchdown pass with 41 seconds left in the first half for an
Arkanss lead, and Marcus Monk put it away with a 35-yard grab late
in the third.
Player
of the game ...
Arkansas RB
Darren McFadden ran for 84 yards on 26 carries, completed his only
pass for 16 yards and returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Arkansas- Passing: Casey Dick,
8-17, 112 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 26-84 Receiving: Marcus
Monk, 4-80, 1 TD
Mississippi State - Passing: Michael Henig,
9-25, 123 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 17-89, 1 TD Receiving: Jamayel
Smith, 5-71
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
After the 50-14 trouncing by USC to start off the season, no one,
not even the craziest Hog fan, could’ve foreseen a trip to the SEC
title game while being in the hunt for the national championship.
The win over Mississippi State sealed up the West doing so without
its normal killer running game. Defense, special teams, and Darren
McFadden came through to beat the Bulldogs, but to get by LSU, the
offense has to be back to its old, dominant self when it comes to
the ground game. If the secondary can play like it did against the
suddenly semi-hot MSU passing game, LSU will be in trouble.
Nov. 11
Arkansas 31 ... Tennessee 14
Arkansas got up to a 28-7 halftime lead by dominant
performances from Darren McFadden and Marcus Monk, while the defense
only allowed a 27-yard Robert Meachem touchdown catch before a
garbage time 39-yard Bret Smith score with :30 to play. Monk made a
brilliant twisting ten-yard scoring catch, and made a 12-yard grab
from McFadden, who occasionally lined up at quarterback. McFadden
also ran for scores from 17 and five yards out. Jamaal Anderson came
up with three sacks for the Hogs.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran
30 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns, caught a pass for six
yards and threw a pass for 12 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Tennessee - Passing:
Jonathan Crompton, 16-34, 174 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Montario Hardesty, 12-52. Receiving:
Robert Meachem, 4-65, 1 TD
Arkansas - Passing: Casey Dick, 10-15,
154 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 30-181, 2 TD Receiving:
Marcus Monk, 8-137, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Watch how everyone jumps on the
Arkansas bandwagon. With the world looking for someone, anyone to be
in the national title race to challenge the Michigan/Ohio State
winner, the Hogs might turn into everyone's sexy team after
dominating Tennessee. Can the team handle the pressure now that the
spotlight's on? Mississippi State has had a week off to rest up and
prepare, while there's still that nasty date with LSU, and with one
more win, Florida to go through. While Darren McFadden is getting
the attention, WR Marcus Monk is the one who's stretching things
out. He's taking advantage of every shot to make a big play.
Nov. 4
Arkansas 26 ... South Carolina 20
Arkansas ran for 267 yards, but it was a big pass play and an
interception that won the game for the Hogs. Following a missed
Jeremy Davis field goal, South Carolina had life with over five
minutes to play, but Blake Mitchell, who stepped in for an
ineffective Syvelle Newton, threw an interception to Darius Vinnett
on the Arkansas 27. The Hogs were able to run out the clock on two
Casey Dick third down passes to Marcus Monk. The two hooked up at
the end of the first half on a Hail Mary that was batted and bobbled
by two Gamecock defenders before Monk grabbed it for a 50-yard
touchdown and a 23-6 lead. USC came back as Mitchell threw a 13-yard
touchdown pass to Kenny McKinley and a 10-yard touchdown pass thanks
to a brilliant catch by Sidney Rice to pull within six, but that was
as close as it would get. Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran for a
career-high 219 yards with first half touchdown runs from 43 and 14
yards out.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran
25 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: South Carolina - Passing:
Blake Mitchell, 15-21, 213 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Davis, 7-28. Receiving:
Sidney Rice, 7-126, 1 TD
Arkansas - Passing: Casey Dick, 11-19,
228 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 25-219, 2 TD Receiving:
Marcus Monk, 8-192, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Arkansas was winning in spite of Mitch
Mustain over the last few weeks, and now, after a solid performance
with a few clutch throws late against South Carolina, Casey Dick
might be the starter for the foreseeable future. Of course, it's all
about the running game as Darren McFadden once again made a big
statement in the race for the SEC Player of the Year honors. The
Hogs are playing just well enough to come up with wins, and now it
has to beat Tennessee to really start to get everyone fired up. As
long as the ground game is working and the quarterbacking is at
least competent, Arkansas has a shot against anyone.
Oct. 28
Arkansas 44 ... UL Monroe 10
UL Monroe made things interesting early with Calvin Dawson
ripping off a huge run setting up a 17-yard touchdown catch from
LaGregory Sapp. That was the only highlight for the Warhawks as
Arkansas took advantage of ULM punting mistakes and six turnovers
with short fields allowing for a 44-point run highlighted by a
nine-yard halfback pass from Darren McFadden to Wes Murphy and two
touchdown grabs from Marcus Monk. The Hogs outgained ULM 428 yards
to 268 cranking out 331 rushing yards. Michael Grant picked off
three passes for Arkansas.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RBs Felix Jones and
Darren McFadden combined to run 27 times for 270 yards and two
touchdowns with McFadden throwing a touchdown pass.
Stat Leaders: UL Monroe - Passing:
Kinsmon Lancaster, 14-25, 147 yds, 1 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Calvin Dawson, 19-128. Receiving:
Zeek Zacharie, 5-45
Arkansas - Passing: Mitch Mustain, 7-18,
71 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Felix Jones, 9-141, 1 TD Receiving:
Marcus Monk, 5-51, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
After the first few minutes, Arkansas
didn't have any problems with UL Monroe thanks to six turnovers and
a variety of mistakes, but there was one slight problem: Mitch
Mustain. With all day to throw and the running game carrying the
attack, Mustain still only completed seven of 18 passes with two
interceptions. No one takes the Hog passing game serious, and WR
Marcus Monk took advantage against the Warhawks, but to win the huge
SEC showdowns over the next few weeks, Mustain needs to be more
efficient.
Oct. 21
Arkansas 38 ... Ole Miss 3
The Arkansas running game was held to just 141 yards, but the
defense kept Ole Miss to 245 yards and Felix Jones got all the
points the Hogs would need on the opening kickoff taking it 100
yards for a score. Mitch Mustain had an efficient game getting some
help from Darren McFadden on a 70-yard touchdown pass. McFadden also
added a four-yard touchdown run. Casey Dick came in to finish off
the Rebels with a 45-yard scoring pass to London Crawford. Ole Miss
got its points on a 27-yard Joshua Shene field goal.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RB Felix Jones ran nine
times for 51 yards and returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score
Stat Leaders: Ole Miss - Passing: Brent
Schaeffer, 11-30, 118 yds
Rushing: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, 20-79. Receiving:
Michael Hicks, 4-88
Arkansas - Passing: Mitch Mustain, 12-15,
157 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 17-65, 1 TD Receiving:
Peyton Hillis, 6-43
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Beating Ole Miss as easily as Arkansas
did proved that the team is close to being fully jelled. The running
game was held in check, but the defense and the mistake-free passing
of Mitch Mustain helped to get the easy win. It's always great to
have weapons waiting to explode with Felix Jones and Darren McFadden
once against going off. With a layup next week against UL Monroe,
it'll be yet another chance for Mustain to throw a little bit and
get the passing game going a little more for the South Carolina
game.
Oct. 14
Arkansas 63 ... SE Missouri State 7
Arkansas ran for 391 yards with Michael Smith and Felix Jones
each rushing for over 100 yards and Darren McFadden ripping off a
52-yard touchdown run and a two-yard dash for a 14-0 first quarter
lead. Keith Jackson returned an interception 69 yards for a
touchdown, Felix Jones ran for an 85-yard score and Michael Smith
ran for two scores on the way to a 42-0 first half lead. SE Missouri
State finally got on the board in the third quarter on an eight-yard
John Radney run, but the offense only gained 144 yards.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RBs Michael Smith,
Felix Jones and Darren McFadden combined for 293 yards and five
touchdowns on 19 carrries
Stat Leaders: SE Missouri State - Passing:
Kevin Ballatore, 8-28, 108 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Clint Jones, 4-29. Receiving:
Oge Oge, 3-48
Arkansas - Passing: Casey Dick, 8-9, 98
yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Michael Smith, 8-116, 2 TD Receiving:
Marcus Monk, 4-57
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Arkansas got through its easy scrimmage
against SE Missouri State showing how far and how fast its backs can
run in a half of play. To nitpick in the blowout, this needed to be
a time for Mitch Mustain to chuck it around a little bit and get
some more throws in when there was no worries about what was going
to happen, but he only completed five of 13 passes. Even so, this
was a nice midseason chance for all the backups to get some good
work, and now the team's momentum has to continue against Ole Miss.
Oct. 7
Arkansas 27 ... Auburn 10
Arkansas got off to a 10-0 lead thanks to a 50-yard touchdown
pass to Marcus Monk, and then the running game and the defense did
the rest of the work with Darren McFadden tearing off a 63-yard
touchdown dash, and Felix Jones, who ran for 104 yards, ran for a
one-yard score set up by a quirky trick play with Reggie Fish
kneeling next to QB Mitch Mustain and taking a hand-off for a
25-yard run. Auburn managed a 24-yard Rodgeriqus Smith touchdown
catch and a John Vaughn field goal in the second quarter, but the
offense was held to 212 yards for the game and couldn't get anything
generated in the second half.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran
28 times for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Auburn - Passing: Brandon
Cox, 17-29, 153 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Kenny Irons, 15-75. Receiving:
Courtney Taylor, 5-34
Arkansas - Passing: Mitch Mustain, 7-10,
87 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 28-145, 1 TD Receiving:
Felix Jones, 3-8
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Wow, have things changed in a real hurry in the SEC West
race. The Arkansas lines dominated the Auburn fronts, Mitch Mustain
was steady, and for the second straight game, Auburn was outcoached.
Houston Nutt and his staff did a fantastic job with both sides of
the ball, and Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were Darren McFadden
and Felix Jones. Arkansas gets Tennessee at home and has to go to
South Carolina, but all of a sudden, things open up in a big way
until the regular season finale against LSU. This might be known as
the statement, program-changing win for the young team as Mustain
and the offense continue to grow.
Sept. 23
Arkansas 24 ... Alabama 23 2OT
Arkansas got an 11-yard Ben Cleveland touchdown catch in the
second overtime, and won on the Jeremy Davis extra point. Alabama
scored on a one-yard touchdown run on its possession in the second
overtime, but Leigh Tiffin missed the extra point on his fourth
wide-right miss of the game. Alabama had a chance to win in the
first overtime following an interception of Arkansas QB Mitch
Mustain, but Tiffin missed from 37 yards out. Tiffin was able to
connect on a 46-yard field goal on the last play of the first half
for a 10-7 lead, but Arkansas took the lead in the third quarter on
a three-yard Darren McFadden touchdown run and a 39-yard fumble
recovery for a score from Randy Kelly. Alabama answered with two of
John Parker Wilson's three touchdown passes. Wilson also connected
with D.J. Hall on a 78-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran
25 times for 112 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for one
yards along with a two-point conversion.
Stat Leaders: Arkansas - Passing:
Mitch Mustain, 7-22, 97 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 25-112, 1 TD. Receiving:
Marcus Monk, 2-53
Alabama - Passing: John Parker Wilson,
16-20, 243 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Ken Darby, 26-64. Receiving: Keith Brown,
7-97, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Give Arkansas credit for coming through
against Alabama when given the opportunities. Mitch Mustain
continues to play like a rookie quarterback who's far from polished,
but he threw the big pass for a game winning touchdown when he had
to. Even though Darren McFadden is the marquee man in the running
game, Felix Jones needs the ball more than just four times. Yes, the
Hogs dodged a bullet, and now they'll need to play better,
especially in the passing game, to have a chance at Auburn next
week.
Sept. 16
Arkansas 21 ... Vanderbilt 19
Arkansas survived as a Bryant Hahnfeldt 48-yard field goal
attempt fell just short in the final minute. The Hogs got three
Mitch Mustain touchdown passes highlighted by a 56-yard scoring play
to Marcus Monk, but Vanderbilt hung tough with a Chris Nickson
touchdown pass and a 15-yard scoring run. The Hogs got outgained 240
yards to 170, but averaged 11.2 yards per pass to Vandy's 4.8.
Player of the game ... Arkansas QB Mitch Mustain
completed 13 of 20 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns with an
interception
Stat Leaders: Vanderbilt - Passing:
Chris Nickson, 12-26, 124 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 21-90. Receiving:
Earl Bennett, 4-31
Arkansas - Passing: Mitch Mustain, 13-20,
224 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Felix Jones, 11-78 Receiving: Marcus
Monk, 5-124, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Mitch
Mustain was terrific picking apart the Vanderbilt defense, but there
are big concerns after a tough win. Moving the ball consistently was
an issue, and the run defense got plowed over with the Commodores
rushing for 240 yards. With Alabama coming up next, that's a big
area of concern. As long as Mustain keeps progressing, everything
will be fine ... in time. A return to last year's explosiveness from
Felix Jones and the kick return game would be nice.
Sept. 9
Arkansas 20 ... Utah State 0
Arkansas had no problems with Utah State running for 279 yards
with Darren McFadden accounting for 184 of them with a nine-yard
dash in the second quarter and a 72-yard run in the third. Mitch
Mustain wasn't all that sharp in his first start, but he didn't turn
the ball over and he threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Monk
with :22 left in the first half. Utah State managed 249 yards of
total offense, but it couldn't convert in only one time in the red
zone.
Player of the game ... Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ran
20 times fro 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Utah State Passing:
Leon Jackson, 11-28, 114 yds
Rushing: Marcus Cross, 29-103. Receiving:
Otis Nelson, 3-37
Arkansas - Passing: Mitch Mustain, 9-17,
119 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darren McFadden, 20-184, 2 TD Receiving:
Peyton Hillis, 4-45
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
It's easy to look great when you have Darren McFadden to hand off
to. Mitch Mustain wasn't asked to do a whole bunch, but he played a
decent game and made a few nice plays. He needs to be better on
third downs and he has to push the ball down the field a little
more. McFadden was terrific showing off his home-run hitting speed
and proving that the toe injury of this off-season isn't a factor
anymore. While next week's game at Vanderbilt isn't exactly a tune
up, the team needs to use it to get sharper for the showdowns ahead
against Alabama and Auburn. Mustain has to use it to get more
comfortable.
Sept. 2
USC 50 ... Arkansas 14
It took about a half for the USC offense to get on track, and
then it exploded as John David Booty threw three second half
touchdown passes as part of a 28-point run to make the game a
laugher. Arkansas kept it close early on thanks to a one-yard
touchdown run from Robert Johnson and some decent defense, but five
turnovers, including three fumbles from RB Felix Jones, proved too
much to overcome. The Hogs scored midway through the fourth quarter
on a one-yard touchdown run from star QB recruit Mitch Mustain, but
he threw a late interception that led to a one-yard Allen Bradford
touchdown run.
Player of the game ... USC QB John David Booty
completed 24 of 35 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns..
Stat Leaders: USC- Passing: John David
Booty, 24-35, 261 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Emmanuel Moody, 7-58, 1 TD. Receiving:
Steve Smith, 5-67
Arkansas - Passing: Robert Johnson,
12-25, 110 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Felix Jones, 7-48 Receiving: Damian
Williams, 4-61
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Arkansas has to immediately
put this loss to USC out of sight and out of mind. USC is still one
of the three best teams in the nation, if not number one overall. As
long as the turnovers stop and if there can be more consistency at
quarterback, there shouldn't be any problems over the next two weeks
against Utah State and at Vanderbilt. However, things can quickly be
torn apart if the quarterback situation isn't settled. Robert
Johnson was mediocre against the speedy Trojan D, and although Mitch
Mustain went against the backups, he showed enough to suggest that
the offense might sink or swim with him.
2006
Arkansas Preview
-
Arkansas Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart |
Further
Analysis
You bought
all your tech stocks in 2001. You started watching Desperate
Housewives this year. You've only seen the final hour of
Wedding Crashers. Here's your chance to finally get in early on
something ... Arkansas.
Arkansas grew into a bit of a stale team under head coach
Houston Nutt. It was competitive, but it had problems with the big
boys over the last two years with six losses by a touchdown or less
against monster teams like Texas, LSU, Georgia (twice), and South
Carolina, but all anyone seems to remember is the loss to Vanderbilt
along with the 70-17 nail-biter against USC.
While the program might be a year away from being something special,
things are turning around in a big hurry thanks to a massive youth
movement and the landing of one, big, save-the-franchise quarterback
recruit; Mitch Mustain.
It's hard to win
close games when you play 17 true freshmen and don't have a steady
quarterback, but all the bumps and bruises suffered last year will pay
off as this is one of the SEC's up-and-coming teams. With all the speed
and all the talent Nutt and his staff have brought together, it's
Mustain who has reenergized the fan base. Nutt, who was on a major hot
seat after things started to regress, bought himself at least another
two years by landing the star, NFL prospect. Now there's hope that by
2007 at the earliest, Arkansas will be a major player again in the SEC
race.
While the addition of a top-shelf quarterback might do wonders for the
passing game, it's the ground attack that'll make headlines. True
sophomores Darren McFadden and Felix Jones form one of the nation's best
1-2 rushing punches, and small, quick Michael Smith is healthy and ready
to be part of the mix. Add a fullback in Peyton Hillis who led the team
in catches last year and returns punts, and an offensive line with, for
all intents and purposes, five returning starters, and the Hogs should
run wild.
The defense won't get a lot of publicity, but it'll be strong led be
undersized, but talented linebacker Sam Olajabutu and with a strong line
to work around. Chris Houston and Matterral Richardson are talented
corners who'll both see time in an NFL camp, and the safeties are
improved with speedy Michael Grant taking over the free safety job.
Yup, there's reason to get really, really excited about the future of
this team, but as always, it has to deal with a tough slate. While a 4-7
record wasn't acceptable last season, the team did have to play at USC,
at Alabama, Auburn, at Georgia, and at LSU. Find the team in America
outside of the top 15 that wouldn't have lost almost all five of those
games?
If the Hogs can pull off an upset or two and all the young talent can
take a bit of a step up, this will be a dangerous SEC West team right
now. Just getting a winning record again would be nice, and then the
sky's the limit for next year.
The
Schedule:
The season opener against USC might be the
coming out party for this Hog team, but that's asking a lot. Vanderbilt
doesn't have Jay Cutler anymore, so a 2-1 record is likely going into
battles with Alabama and at Auburn. And then things ease up in a big way
playing SE Missouri State, Ole Miss and UL Monroe before things turn
back again going to South Carolina and playing Tennessee and LSU in the
final four games.
Best
Offensive Player:
Sophomore
RB Darren McFadden. How good was McFadden's freshman season? He was only
the seventh freshman to ever crank out 1,000 yards in a season. When you
join a list that includes Herschel Walker and Emmitt Smith, you've done
something right. He has speed, power, and the hands to be used a bit at
wide receiver.
Best
Defensive Player:
Senior LB
Sam Olajabutu. He's only 5-9 and 229 pounds, but he plays and hits like
a much bigger defender. He has unlimited range and is always around the
ball, and he has turned into a whale of a pass rusher.
Key player
to a successful season:
Freshman QB Mitch Mustain. There's a possibility he might redshirt, but
for the team to come out rocking and rolling in 2007 with a team worthy
of playing for the SEC title, the new hot shot needs to get a year of
SEC seasoning under his belt. If he's not ready, or if he ends up
sitting and learning for a year, then Casey Dick, who came on at the end
of last season, has to get one of the nation's worst passing games
moving.
The season
will be a success if ... the Hogs end up with a winning season and go to a bowl. There
can't be any slip ups against teams like Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, and
there has to be at least one big upset over a Tennessee or an Alabama
along the way. Another losing season wouldn't get Nutt fired, but it
would put him on double-secret probation for 2007.
Key game:
Sept. 23 vs. Alabama. Arkansas has won two of the last three in the
series and with a road date at Auburn ahead, it'll need this win for a
likely 2-0 SEC start and to make a statement in the West race. It would
also be the type of win the team didn't/couldn't come up with last year
and show that the past really is in the past.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- Penalties: Arkansas 80 for 644 yards - Opponents 58 for 440 yards
- Fourth down conversions: Opponents 9 of 12 (75%) - Arkansas 11 of 25
(44%)
- Passing yards per game: Opponents 209.4 - Arkansas 143.7
The Last Time
Arkansas…
…played in a bowl game…2003 (Independence Bowl vs. Missouri)
…missed a bowl game…2005
…pitched a shutout…2002 (South Carolina)
…was shutout…1995 (LSU)
…scored 50 points…2004 (New Mexico State)
…went undefeated…1964
…won a conference title…1989 (SWC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…never
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2005 (Darren McFadden)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…1998 (Anthony Lucas)
…had a first-round draft choice…2005 (WR Matt Jones)
