2008 Woodie Awards
Hogs need to stay motivated, execute early against Florida International
Matt Watson
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Sports
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Arkansas has put up some impressive numbers in games this season in which it has lost.
The Hogs scored 38 points behind five offensive touchdowns against Alabama and lost by a field goal. Against Kentucky, the Razorbacks netted almost 500 total offensive yards and still lost by two scores.
On the other hand, the Hogs have come out on top of some games with less-than-impressive statistics. In two non-conference home games against Troy and Tennessee-Chattanooga, Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick passed for a combined 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
But as any coach will tell you, it's not about the numbers, it's about the number of W's.
Against Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Dick passed for three touchdowns on just 96 yards, with an interception and a sack.
UA offensive coordinator Dave Lee said after the game Saturday, "If you look at the NCAA passing statistics, we won't be near the top. But Casey is playing very efficient."
With 2,052 rushing yards in its first seven games this season, Arkansas doesn't need much more than an efficient quarterback to win football games.
Lee said that he ran into an Ole Miss fan after Saturday's 44-8 victory who said, "Why aren't you not undefeated?"
Good question.
The Razorbacks have beaten themselves too many times this season because of a failure to execute. A made field goal here, an extra block there, and the Hogs could be 7-0 and in the middle of a serious national championship run.
Instead they're just a game above .500, in the middle of a three-stretch of non-televised games, and star running back Darren McFadden is struggling to stay in the Heisman race.
So what's the motivation going into this weekend's Homecoming game against Florida International, a team that is 0-7 and is 119th in this week's Sports Illustrated power rankings?
"You've got to come to play," said Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. "That's what I'm telling our team. I don't want a Tennessee-Chattanooga game like we did in Little Rock."
The Hogs scored 38 points behind five offensive touchdowns against Alabama and lost by a field goal. Against Kentucky, the Razorbacks netted almost 500 total offensive yards and still lost by two scores.
On the other hand, the Hogs have come out on top of some games with less-than-impressive statistics. In two non-conference home games against Troy and Tennessee-Chattanooga, Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick passed for a combined 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
But as any coach will tell you, it's not about the numbers, it's about the number of W's.
Against Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Dick passed for three touchdowns on just 96 yards, with an interception and a sack.
UA offensive coordinator Dave Lee said after the game Saturday, "If you look at the NCAA passing statistics, we won't be near the top. But Casey is playing very efficient."
With 2,052 rushing yards in its first seven games this season, Arkansas doesn't need much more than an efficient quarterback to win football games.
Lee said that he ran into an Ole Miss fan after Saturday's 44-8 victory who said, "Why aren't you not undefeated?"
Good question.
The Razorbacks have beaten themselves too many times this season because of a failure to execute. A made field goal here, an extra block there, and the Hogs could be 7-0 and in the middle of a serious national championship run.
Instead they're just a game above .500, in the middle of a three-stretch of non-televised games, and star running back Darren McFadden is struggling to stay in the Heisman race.
So what's the motivation going into this weekend's Homecoming game against Florida International, a team that is 0-7 and is 119th in this week's Sports Illustrated power rankings?
"You've got to come to play," said Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. "That's what I'm telling our team. I don't want a Tennessee-Chattanooga game like we did in Little Rock."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Clinton Peterson
posted 10/24/07 @ 11:08 AM CST
Who cares about Florida International? They are winless! This is an example of why Houston Nutt should be FIRED! Florida International!?!
And playing Florida International for Homecoming is ridicules. (Continued…)
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