The scene in the locker room
The atmosphere in the Arkansas’ locker room after the Razorbacks’ 34-15 victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga could be best described as dour. Not too many of the players or coaches were happy with their performance tonight at War Memorial Stadium.
“It was very frustrating,” Razorbacks tailback Darren McFadden said. “You practice like you play. I’m sure that had a lot to do with it.”
McFadden failed to get the 153 yards he needed to break Ben Cowins’ career rushing record of 3,570 yards. The junior from Little Rock rushed for 122 yards on 25 carries and lost two fumbles. According to Arkansas trainer Dean Weber, the Heisman Trophy candidate bruised his ribs and left the sidelines to receive treatment before the game had ended.
Felix Jones — on nearly half of McFadden’s rush attempts — outgained his teammate on the ground. Jones amassed 141 yards on 13 carries. However, neither he nor any of the other Razorbacks players were too thrilled about their efforts. Offensive line coach Mike Markuson was particularly upset.
“We didn’t play good,” Markuson said. “We’re going to have to play a lot better than that. They know they were flopping around. There were too many mistakes. When you flop around, bad things happen.”
Arkansas didn’t put the game away until the fourth quarter when Jones scored on a one-yard plunge with 13 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the game.
“It was scary there for a while,” Razorbacks offensive coordinator David Lee said.”I’m just grateful it wasn’t a Michigan-Appalachian State.”
OTHER NOTES
- Starting right tackle Nate Garner missed the entire second half due to heat exhaustion. He was hooked up to an IV for the last two quarters.
- Casey Dick completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 116 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
- Darren McFadden is now Arkansas’ all-time leader for 100-yard rushing games. He now has 17.
11 Responses to “The scene in the locker room”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I hope some of the players & coaches read this. KNOW MORE MULLIGANS! There are only 11 games a regular season unless you get to the SEC Championship game . I understand not being as emotionally high for a game such as this one. With only 11 games, compared to 30 or so in basketball. As hard as these players work to prepare, how in the world can we have a lethargic perfromance in any game. Stop making excuses! Play with pride & play 100%. The Bama & KU game are all the mulligans this team gets. Houston, start being the coach your are paid to be & utilize the talent you have. With the talent you have on this team any arm chair QB could have acheived these results so far this year!
I would agree totally. I have tried to stay on the Nutt bandwagon, but the consistent, boneheaded penalties and play calling are really getting tiresome. He is clearly being out witted by the other coaches. It also seems to me that David Lee has totally ruined Casey Dick. The No. 11 dude was the [rivals] 13th best pass/run quarterback in the country coming out of high school. DMAC doesn’t have a chance without some help and an adequate passing game. It does not take a mental giant to figure that one out.
Sorry, DWP007! Stated ” It also seems to me that David Lee has totally ruined Casey Dick. The No. 11 dude was the [rivals] 13th best pass/run quarterback in the country coming out of high school.” You meant Nutt would handle calling plays again? Not this case in Arkansas, probably in Murray State next year! Go Hogs, fire Nutt!
Nah… I mean that Lee has completely screwed up a once talented player with his “coaching”. . I think UA should look at the South Florida guy. There is a very good coach.
I feel sorry for these players.This would have been a national championship yr. for them if Nutt hadn’t tore the team apart last yr.Herring,Nutt and Lee all need to leave town with Frank.
Reoccuring theme for several years. This team - like many before it - lacks the discipline necessary to win consistently. Oh sure, we get that fire in the belly for some games - but regretably, and for whatever reason, Arkansas teams of the past few years have lacked that core strength - discipline both on the field and off - that great programs have. While I dislike jumping on the Head Coach - the truth is that’s where it starts.
Here’s an observation - somewhere down the road we’re going to need the backup QB. Where was he last night? Can he really be any less effective than Casey? Is there someone out there that believes (well, besides Mr Nutt apparently) that Casey is getting better playing games against lesser foes? Let Nathan show what he’s got - he’s earned playing time when it allows but there he sits while Casey has a barely average night against a sub-Division secondary.
Auburn, next week, will decide Mr Nutt’s future. If ARK can’t handle Auburn and falls to 3-3 (0-3 in the SEC), it may be downhill from there with probable losses to SC, TENN and LSU to follow.
I agree with everyone about Nutt & Lee. I too have been one of the fans that have supported Nutt. I really beleive he is a good man & coach, but the wheels apear to be coming off. It started when Mustain was yanked for the interception against South Carolia last year, even though we played very well in losing the last 3 games of the season. Those loses are the fault of the coaching staff with having 4 & 1 against LSU & Wisconsin & trying to pass to Monk with 2 & 3 defenders around him. I didn’t want to beleive what I had been hearing about with all of the turmoil. Next week will determine where this team is mentally & a loss will certaily start a huge buzz about Nutt being run off campus. It may be the 1st change Mr. Long makes & it will send a signal to all Arkansas coaches. I hope we win & I beleive we will win, but I never beleived we would have started 0-2 in the SEC either. The Fat Lady isn’t singing, but she is in the room humming.
Fair weather, ignorant, bratty, so-called fans. There are so many stupid statements made in this thread I don’t even know where to start. If you don’t want to support the Razorbacks find some other team. I am so embarrased for the state of Arkansas when I read the type of trash above. People can’t even spell words properly.
Gambler - you are the ringleader of the bunch. I’ve seen several of your submissions and you just have an acid outlook on life.
Speaking of a life - I’m out of here; more important things to do!!
Would the university keep a professor employed that constantly fouled up multi-million dollar projects? Accountability is a must if we are ever going to win anything significant ever again. I am not suggesting a witch-hunt, but come on folks. It is time to draw the line on the good ole boy network in Fayetteville, at least as far as coaches that can’t manage their resources and keep a bunch of motivated young men focused and disciplined are concerned. Oh, and Razorbacker…. if you aren’t a proponent of free speech, why the hell are you blogging. We all want the Hogs to win or we wouldn’t be posting here. WOOOOO PIG SOOOEEE!!
Agree, Romad. I like Nutt and always have, though if you are going to pay someone $1.5M a year to coach football, then there needs to be some accountability, as well as a good product on the field. It seems to me that UA could also use a time machine, and bring its 1960, dull, predictable, unimaginative offense up to modern day vintage. Casey Dick was a gifted quarterback coming out of high school, which speaks volumes about the coaching he is receiving, in my opinion. Anyway, lets somehow find a way to beat Auburn, eh? [perhaps throw the ball at times other than 3rd and 8]
[...] report …Blogged about at The scene in the locker room - the slophouse, Arkansas’ tailback duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones leads the country in combined rushing [...]