APMcFadden ran 21 times for 105 yards and a touchdown, but didn’t play the fourth quarter. The Heisman finalist pushed his single-season total to 1,830 yards and his career total to 4,590. Both are school records and second to Herschel Walker in SEC history.
Asked after the game if he’s turning pro, the junior said, “That’s something I’m going to sit down with my parents and decide in a little while.”
The rest of the Razorbacks made a horrible first impression on incoming coach Bobby Petrino, from the defense allowing the most yards rushing by a single player to having five turnovers — an interception returned for a touchdown and four fumbles.
Freshman kicker Alex Tejada came in perfect on kicks of 40 yards or less, but missed from 35 and 37. In between, a successful fake punt was wiped out because someone called timeout just before the snap; the Razorbacks tried the play again and lost a yard. Then a squib kick to open the second half backfired.
The final offensive play summed things up: Interim coach Reggie Herring ran about 20 yards asking for a time out, but didn’t get it and a fourth-down pass was dropped in the end zone.
“The way we played, we couldn’t have beat anyone,” said Herring, who had been defensive coordinator until Houston Nutt stepped down in late November. “We did everything poorly. I’m embarrassed right now.”
|
At least the Hogs looked good. They wore all-red uniforms for the first time, a tribute to outgoing program icon Frank Broyles.
Broyles, whose 50-year tenure ended Monday, led Arkansas fans in spirited chants of “Pig! Sooie!” prior to kickoff. That turned out to be one of the few things they had to cheer all afternoon.
Change is coming quickly. Petrino plans to announce his coaching staff Thursday. Mississippi State already has said its defensive coordinator, Ellis Johnson, is taking Herring’s spot at Arkansas, while Herring reportedly is headed to Texas A&M.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
CollegeFootballTalk headlines |
Video: Football from NBC Sports |
Memphis fulfills BCS dream Tigers officials thrilled to announce that school has been accepted to join the Big East Conference in 2013. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |