2008 Woodie Awards
Rushing game looks to get back on track at Ole Miss
Matt Jones
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports
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There are no mulligans in football. While Arkansas can't get a do-over with its rushing performance last week against Auburn, the Razorbacks have six games left, and it begins Saturday in Oxford, Miss.
Arkansas was held to a season-low 67 rushing yards in the 9-7 loss to the Tigers. The Razorbacks' 193 yards of total offense was the lowest output since a 10-3 loss to Oklahoma in the 2002 Cotton Bowl.
"That's who we are," Arkansas running back coach Tim Horton said. "We're a run-first team. We've been so successful offensively in the SEC all season. We're one of the top rushing teams in the country and the top in the league. When we're made to play left-handed like Auburn did, and we can't run the ball, we are very much handicapped."
Auburn seemingly handicapped Arkansas the entire game. Having each rushed for more than 100 yards in Arkansas' first five games, juniors Darren McFadden and Felix Jones couldn't get anything started against the Tigers.
McFadden finished the game with 17 rushes for just 43 yards and Jones had 42 yards on six carries.
Arkansas entered the game averaging 338.4 yards per game on the ground. The Tigers defense put a hurting on the Razorbacks average, lowering it to 293.2 yards per game entering this weekend's contest with Ole Miss.
Horton said it's not about stats, but the players finding confidence in the running game again.
"It starts with us as coaches giving our players plays they can be successful at," Horton said. "More importantly, the foundation of it is being able to block the other guys. Whether it's our fullbacks, wide receivers, offensive linemen or tight ends, we've got to do a better job of blocking people. At the same time, as a ball carrier, you have to make some things happen, too, with some make-them-miss yards and yards after contact."
If Arkansas wants to make a statement with the rushing game, it couldn't have come at a better time, statistically speaking. The Rebels have the second-worst rush defense in the SEC, allowing 194.6 yards per game.
Arkansas was held to a season-low 67 rushing yards in the 9-7 loss to the Tigers. The Razorbacks' 193 yards of total offense was the lowest output since a 10-3 loss to Oklahoma in the 2002 Cotton Bowl.
"That's who we are," Arkansas running back coach Tim Horton said. "We're a run-first team. We've been so successful offensively in the SEC all season. We're one of the top rushing teams in the country and the top in the league. When we're made to play left-handed like Auburn did, and we can't run the ball, we are very much handicapped."
Auburn seemingly handicapped Arkansas the entire game. Having each rushed for more than 100 yards in Arkansas' first five games, juniors Darren McFadden and Felix Jones couldn't get anything started against the Tigers.
McFadden finished the game with 17 rushes for just 43 yards and Jones had 42 yards on six carries.
Arkansas entered the game averaging 338.4 yards per game on the ground. The Tigers defense put a hurting on the Razorbacks average, lowering it to 293.2 yards per game entering this weekend's contest with Ole Miss.
Horton said it's not about stats, but the players finding confidence in the running game again.
"It starts with us as coaches giving our players plays they can be successful at," Horton said. "More importantly, the foundation of it is being able to block the other guys. Whether it's our fullbacks, wide receivers, offensive linemen or tight ends, we've got to do a better job of blocking people. At the same time, as a ball carrier, you have to make some things happen, too, with some make-them-miss yards and yards after contact."
If Arkansas wants to make a statement with the rushing game, it couldn't have come at a better time, statistically speaking. The Rebels have the second-worst rush defense in the SEC, allowing 194.6 yards per game.
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