FAYETTEVILLE — Part of the fun of the Reggie “Fish That Got Away” play against Auburn on Saturday was his sneaking into the Arkansas huddle before his 28-yard gain that led to a 24-10 lead in a 27-10 UA win.

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said that was a play that new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn brought with him.

“That’s a play ... we worked on since two-a-days,” Nutt said. “It’s really a good play. We ran something similar (with) Kenoy Kennedy. It’s sort of like the ‘fumblerooskie,’ but what makes this even better than all of those put together is because Reggie Fish is so small in stature, he can get lost behind (Zac) Tubbs and (Stephen) Parker, (Robert) Felton.”

On a change of possession after Auburn punter Kody Bliss’s botched rugby punt that went just 18 yards, the Arkansas offensive players hid the 5-foot-7 Fish in the huddle.

“You do a hurry-up huddle, you spring to the line of scrimmage and (Fish) is creeping his way behind ’em,” Nutt said. “Mitch Mustain does an outstanding job. ... He whirls ... and Felix (Jones) is coming in motion and now you’ve got Damian (Williams) and Felix and everybody else carrying out an option fake.

“Fish has to be very patient. ... If Reggie probably waits another half-second, he probably scores.”

The play is a variation on former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne’s sleight-of-hand fumblerooskie, in which the ball is actually left on the ground for a moment.

“Tom did that while I was at Oklahoma State, but never against us,” Nutt said.

Jones scored three plays after Fish’s 28-yard run, but only after Mustain gave Nutt a scare on a second-and-goal sneak attempt from the 1.

Mustain fumbled the snap but fullback Mitch Petrus recovered. That recovery partially atoned for a late-hit penalty against Petrus in the game.

“He has one speed and that’s what I love about him,” Nutt said. “I get really upset about a foolish penalty because I think it’s selfish but in his defense, the one thing about Mitch, this is one of the loudest places we play (and) he never heard a whistle. He goes until the end of the whistle. A lot of people pull up; he doesn’t pull up, but he’s got to have a feel for when the play’s over.”

Jackson Earns Honors

With the win came some national recognition in addition to the new rankings.

Razorbacks defensive tackle Keith Jackson was named as the national defensive player of the week by the Walter Camp Foundation.

Unofficially, Jackson had 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the win.

“Keith’s been working hard,” Nutt said. “He deserves it (but) I think he’ll be the first to tell you he had a lot of help.”

Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was named the offensive player of the week, giving the SEC the sweep.

Creating Some National Buzz

Both Lou Holtz and Mark May of ESPN complimented the Razorbacks on Saturday, and Beano Cook said on ESPN Radio that Arkansas and Arizona are the two most improved college teams this season.

Holtz also noted that Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville did not seem that comfortable with 35-year-old Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s gambling defense.

Indeed, Tuberville said Saturday, “That’s not Auburn football. We don’t give up big plays.”

May suggested that Hogs offensive coordinator Malzahn should receive a game ball.

Not since Arkansas surprised Auburn 38-17 at Auburn in 2002 had the Tigers given up 250 or more yards rushing. The Hogs rushed for 279 on Saturday.

Nutt credited Don Decker’s strength program with helping a UA offensive line which averaged 316 pounds, compared with the Auburn defensive front four’s average of 276 pounds.

Arkansas went in hoping to give Darren McFadden 25 carries and Felix Jones about 15. That panned out, as they carried 28 and 13 times respectively, for 145 and 104 yards.

Arkansas’ coaches will not make players available to talk to the media Wednesday. Usually players are offered to the media on Wednesday.

More Snaps For Backup

Nutt said he hopes to give second-team quarterback Casey Dick some playing time against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday.

Dick did not play against Auburn, but gleefully helped right guard Robert Felton wave an Arkansas flag on the sidelines after the game.

Rating The Wins

It’s the first time since 1998 that Nutt can count wins over Alabama and Auburn in the same season. Since Arkansas began SEC football in 1992, only Danny Ford in 1995 has been able to claim the same sweep of the Alabama schools.

One TV reporter, perhaps forgetting Arkansas’ national title in 1964 and Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma in 1978, called Saturday’s win possibly the biggest in school history. Another rated it as Nutt’s biggest win.

Sunday, Nutt compared it to two UA wins over Texas, one over Tennessee and one over LSU in terms of solid play by the offense, defense and special teams.

Auburn had won 21 of its previous 22 SEC games — a feat Nutt said wouldn’t be accomplished too many times.

Robinson Nicked

Hogs defensive end Antwain Robinson, who played 56 snaps Saturday, suffered a hip flexor. Reserve cornerback Shedrick Johnson hurt a leg muscle.

Senior cornerback Darius Vinnett, plagued by knee tendonitis for two seasons, got in for 25 plays.

Homecoming Events Moved To Friday

The homecoming parade, a Saturday morning staple in football seasons past, will return to Dickson Street at 7 p.m. Friday with a pep rally to follow at 8 p.m. at the Greek Theatre.

Razorback Hoop Mania will follow at 9:30 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

Sweep Home Alabama

Arkansas completed a sweep of Alabama’s two major schools — Alabama and Auburn — for just the third time since joined the SEC prior to the 1992 season. Arkansas was swept by the Alabama schools in 1994, 1996 and 2005.

1995

Sept. 16 at Alabama 20-19

Oct. 28 Auburn 30-28

1998

Sept. 26 Alabama 42-6

Oct. 31 at Auburn 24-21

2006

Sept. 23 Alabama 24-23 (2OT)

Oct. 7 at Auburn 27-10

Defensive Details

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt praised the UA defensive line after Saturday’s win over Auburn, with Marcus Harrison returning to action after missing the Alabama game. A breakdown of the plays by the defensive lineman.

Players Plays

Antwain Robinson 56

Jamaal Anderson 54

Keith Jackson 46

Ernest Mitchell 36

Marcus Harrison 17

Malcolm Sheppard 9

Cord Gray 6

Chris Wade 6

Marcus Shavers 1