A team that has been exposed
For 58 minutes it was an old-fashioned defensive struggle at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. No team was willing to concede anything. Yards were hard to come by. So were points.
Then everything changed. Like a Jack-in-the-Box, the offenses for both Auburn and Arkansas popped out — making an appearance when the game was hanging in the balance.
A majority of the points in the No. 22 Tigers’ 9-7 victory over the Razorbacks were scored in the final two minutes of regulation.
The Razorbacks thought they had the game won when Casey Dick threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Miller with 1:36 left in the game. Cheers erupted from the stands.
But Brian Vavra’s short kickoff that followed an illegal procedure penalty gave the Tigers outstanding field position at their own 47-yard line. Auburn then methodically marched down the field in eight plays. One short completion followed another before Tigers quarterback Brandon Cox completed a 30-yard crossing pass to Robert Dunn that moved Auburn down to the Razorbacks’ 12-yard line.
Three plays later, Wes Byrum knocked in a 20-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 9-7 lead with 21 seconds left on the clock. The crowd of 72,463, which had remained to the very end, watched in amazement as what seemed to be an improbable victory turned into an improbable defeat.
“This is real tough,” Arkansas offensive lineman Robert Felton said. “Everybody looks forward to winning the game, especially when it comes down to the last second. This has happened to us numerous times. It hurts. It hurts really bad.”
It was the third time this season the Razorbacks have held a lead in the fourth quarter against a Southeastern Conference team and let it slip away. Against Alabama in its 41-38 loss to the Crimson Tide, Arkansas watched quarterback John Parker Wilson lead a last-minute, game-winning drive that resulted in a four-yard touchdown pass to Matt Caddell with eight seconds left in the game. One week later, Kentucky and Andre Woodson scored 21 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to pull out a 42-29 victory over the Razorbacks.
Now, Arkansas finds itself 0-3 in the SEC Western Division, the first time the Razorbacks have started this slowly since 2005, when they finished 4-7. A return trip to Atlanta now seems out of the question for a team that managed only 293 yards of total offense against the Tigers. At the same time, Darren McFadden’s Heisman Trophy hopes have all but been dashed after he gained only 43 yards on 17 carries against Auburn.
“We still have a lot to look forward to,” Razorbacks senior linebacker Weston Dacus insisted. “We can still go to a good bowl game. We can’t drag our heads now.”
But the outlook for Arkansas looks bleak. Road games against Tennessee and LSU loom in the near future. So does a home date with South Carolina.
Arkansas seemed to understand the magnitude of the loss. The players filed out of the team meeting room silently, trudging back to the locker room. Reggie Herring, the usually bombastic and loquacious defensive coordinator for the Razorbacks, spoke in a muffled tone and the words didn’t pour out of his mouth like they normally do.
“It’s a very, very bitter taste right now,” Herring said. “It’s hard to talk about.”
For so long, the defense propped up the Razorbacks on Saturday night. Then, when Arkansas finally scored, the Hogs couldn’t hold the Tigers any longer. Play by play on its final drive , Auburn pecked away at the Razorbacks, chipping away at a team that has suffered so many disappointments already this season. All that remains of Arkansas now is an exposed shell. The searchlight that is the SEC has uncovered the Razorbacks’ vulnerabilities. First it was the defense. Now it is the offense.
“We can’t dwell on it,” Felton said. “We can’t go back. We have to go forward.”
But right now, the Razorbacks seem stuck in neutral. They’re not going anywhere.
9 Responses to “A team that has been exposed”
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Houston Nutt, your days are numbered. This is what you get for chasing off Malzahn and Mustain. Casey Dick looked atrocious, and McFadden is mcfading in the Heisman race.
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Very very dark clouds looming overthis program. All our opponents have to do is put 8 guys in the box. Have 3 receivers & Dick will manage to throw into double coverage. It appears he looks downhis receivers. David Lee almost sounded cocky in reading his comments. He isn’t going to second guess himself? Well if he isn’t, Houston Nutt better. This is by far the worst the Razorback Offense has looked under Nutts watch. Houston, take the play calling away from David Lee. He is obviously in over his head.
I feel terrible for these young men that have worked their tails off through the off season! Back in the summer it sounded like they pulled together & something special was brewing. The players beleived in what the coaches were installing (partucularly Offense), they have been mislead. David Lee is going to ultimately cost Houston Nutt his job.We will probably end up @ 6 - 6 on the season. Right now as a life long Razorback fan I am glad I live in South Louisiana where I do not have to live through this torture every day like the average in state Hog fan will do & they aren’t going to be on TV anytime soon. Not with our pathetic play calling. The way the defense played, we shoudl have easily won that game.
David Lee is not going to cost Houston Nutt his job, Houston Nutt has done that all by himself. Remember that the Hog Nation was fine and well last year until late November. They were willing to give the head Hog a pass as long os the offense was “actually under the control” of Gus.
But losing 6 of the last 8 is unforgivable and ruining a heisman candidates chances is even more unforgiveable.
Since the Middle days of January last year, every defensive coordinator in the SEC knew, 8 or 9 in the box and you shut down Arkansas. Well, reality finally happened and you saw 8 in the box all night long.
The game was painful to watch last evening. When you’re one dimensional and predictable on offense it is easy to stack the line of scrimmage. Shame on the coaches and administration for not realizing it takes more than two stud running backs to win in the SEC. The defense did play better but the stupid penalties are unforgiveable. As the announcers stated we gave Auburn 30 yards on one drive due to penalties. It is these types of actions that are in-excusable and a reflection of a teams maturity level. In addition the lack of an up field, vertical offensive threat is widely noticeable. Even if Monk were available I am very doubtful we have the ability to get him the ball. I hope the new AD sees the blemishes and warts on this program and he concludes that change is needed. I hope he is observant enough to know that a divided alumni/fan base is not good for any D - 1 program. We need unity and leadership that can re-energize and unify the Hog Nation. Until this happens, it is the same old same old. New blood is needed throughout and it is time for coaching change at all levels with in the Razorback football program. The product that was displayed last night on ESPN is bad. I expect more and have high aspirations for this program. It is time we move ahead and become a consistent Top 25 program. Anything less is unacceptable to this alumni.
Subject: Casey Dick
I remember when Casey took over from Robert Johnson, it was refreshing to see the passing game picking up. Then when he replaced Mustain last year, his passing had deteriorated badly and he couldn’t do anything the last three games. Now this year he is having the same problem. My question is, what caused the problem?? Has coaching tried to change his style or technique? Has he lost confidence in his throwing and/or receivers? I guess the main point I am trying to make is, what is happening to cause a promising young passing quarterback of 2005 into what he is today. Mercy!!! Coaching is supposed to groom talent, not destroy it.
Ol Nutt got what he wanted.A yes man and a pro offense.What a joke.It will be yrs before people forget what Nutt has done to a team that should have won a national title this yr or next.Makes me want to puke.Fire Nutt,Lee and Herring.They all suck
Please .. please .. fire Houston now! He has done enough bad things to Arkansas football.