Columns

Harry KingHARRY KING
Sports Columnist for The Morning News

Robbie NeiswangerROBBIE NEISWANGER
Sports Columnist for The Morning News



Sponsors

Dick Struggles In Loss To LSU

Last updated Friday, November 24, 2006 11:05 PM CST
in Razorback Central

By Nathan Allen
The Morning News

Related Photos

LITTLE ROCK -- Following a fourth-quarter interception, Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick slowly strolled back to his team's bench with his helmet off, taking a seat by himself.

With his elbows on his knees and head down, Dick thought about what could have been Friday afternoon in War Memorial Stadium.

For Dick, the Razorbacks' passing game never got off the ground.

Dick completed only 3 of 17 passes for 29 yards and one touchdown against LSU, recording the worst performance in his young Arkansas career.

"I obviously didn't play to the best of my ability," Dick said. "I'll take the blame.

"I didn't really get into a groove from the get-go. It's just tough to get into that groove once you've started the game."

The longest pass Dick completed came in the second quarter when he rolled to the right side of the field and threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Monk, cutting LSU's lead in half.

"I felt pretty good after that touchdown," Monk said. "I felt like we were really back in the game. But for the most part, we just couldn't get the passing game going."

Comparatively, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden had the better passing day with 33 yards, four more than Dick on one fewer completion.

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said after the game that he never had any intention of benching Dick in favor of backup freshman Mitch Mustain.

"He was a little bit off," Nutt said. "I thought he would get going and make some plays for us with that type of atmosphere."

Late in the fourth quarter and down 31-26, the Razorbacks had a chance to take the lead with a drive that started from their own 27.

Dick, however, threw four straight incompletions.

"This will be one of those games where you look back on opportunities that we didn't convert," Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. "LSU has the No. 1 defense in the country. We did some good things to keep them off balance, but we didn't get it done in the end."




Reader Comments (15 comment(s))


The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

Give Me a Break wrote on Nov 25, 2006 6:17 AM:

" Never had any intention of putting Mustain in? Nutt, you are the dumbest coach in Division 1A... that, or the biggest liar. "Mitch is one play from going back in"..."I've got a quick trigger..." 3-17 and an interception inside your own 25 and you aren't considering going with your backup who won 8 consecutive starts? If you honestly didn't considering putting Mustain in, you should be fired for sheer stupidity. Way to get the ball to your playmakers on the last possession as well. High five. "

Jimmy wrote on Nov 25, 2006 7:37 AM:

" Nutt better hope Mitch doesn't have a quick trigger. Imagine how it will be if Casey is at QB when we don't have #5? "

JerseyRick wrote on Nov 25, 2006 7:52 AM:

" Mitch should just transfer. How bad does Dick have to play to get benched? Mitch was undefeated and got benched for throwing one interception. Dick can single-handedly lose an entire game and he gets to play? What's going on here? Is this a ploy to get Dick's brother to be Razorback? I don't get it. It looks like we can either keep Mitch or Houston, but not both. "

QuickTriggerLiar wrote on Nov 25, 2006 8:01 AM:

" If I had my choice I would hope Mustain stays and Houston disappears.... "

What happened? wrote on Nov 25, 2006 8:10 AM:

" Did I miss something? When did Houston and his staff move from "we've got two QBs and I have a quick trigger finger" to Alex Wood saying after the game that we never considered putting Mitch in and that "we're going with Casey the rest of the way." How inspiring that must be for Mitch to hear! "

Firenutt wrote on Nov 25, 2006 8:46 AM:

" Houston Nutt is a cheerleader not a headcoach. He needs to be replaced or fired. Let's get Larry Coker! "

Ozarks wrote on Nov 25, 2006 9:51 AM:

" Poor old Dick.He said he obviously my best? Boy I hope not? He could have gone 4 for 17 and 30 yards!! But folks, remember he is just a young man. THis has to fall to the coaches. I also feel that MItches needs more playing time to get experiance. Like stated before, the Tenn. game would have been good and it would have been good to bring Mitch in on at least for a few plays mid 4th quarter. I would like to see Dick and Mustain get into the game plan for FL. We used 2 quaterbacks before with Clint & Randy. Right now, we need a quaterback the will be able to throw down field next year and I see that person being MItch. I like Dick as a fine young man, but if Mitch was not the future, why did we recuit him so hard? This has already been a special year and we can be National Champs next year!! Let's develop our quarter back. If Mitch lived up to half his billing next year, who could stop our run and passing attack? "

K G J Enterprises wrote on Nov 25, 2006 9:57 AM:

" 2 first downs through the air in the entire football game? Yet, another game where the defense was on the field much longer than the offense? Crucial turnovers in our own red zone again? Nutt should take over the play calling from his OC immediately. "

hogluvr7928 wrote on Nov 25, 2006 10:09 AM:

" I know that Malzahn has the title of Offensive Coordinator, but that doesn't mean that he calls the plays. Nutt has his thumb all over this program, he just can't handle the fact that sometimes other people can help. Houston, let Gus do his job "

#1HOGFAN wrote on Nov 25, 2006 12:22 PM:

" After suffering thru Razorback mediocrity for years, I think maybe this is the year...alas, tis not to be. How can we put up with a coach too stupid to play an 8-0 phenom quarterback in a losing situation in the biggest game we have played in years (at least in terms of outcome) and stick with someone who is obviously not able to hit the lake throwing from a boat after bragging about having a "hair-trigger"? Come on Jim Lindsey, grow a set and fire this idiot. Or is your ego too big to admit you made a mistake too? "

Texas Hog wrote on Nov 25, 2006 1:48 PM:

" What a great season! As a loyal Alumni and long time Razorback Fan I want to say thanks to all of the coaches and staff for their efforts during this exceptional season. To the players, well, there are not enough words to express how exciting and fun this season has been!! I hope they are treasuing each moment of this special time. We look forward to traveling to Atlanta to watch "our" Razorbacks win the SEC title! Go Hogs!! "

jhog wrote on Nov 25, 2006 3:55 PM:

" If Mitch transfers, they should fire Houston Nutt. What an idiot, sticking with a pitiful Casey Dick while the best QB sits on the bench. "

Confused Hog wrote on Nov 25, 2006 5:04 PM:

" Far too many comments about this or that quarterback. I hate cliches, but "you gotta dance with who brought ya'." Our STAR running backs are the reason for our record. Had they been allowed to play the game they've played all year, we would've won no matter who was quarterback. Why? "

hog fan wrote on Nov 25, 2006 6:25 PM:

" I agree that nutt should have replace dick when he seen that dick was having problems. but he has brought this team to and beyond the expitation of the school. look at it are goal was to play in the sec champion ship game and we have done that.Quickly we might not be looking at a national champion ship game but we are still looking at a BCS bowl witch is way more thany any one expected when we started the season. As for Malzahn he I know for a fact did not make the last four play calls. Who goes deep on two plays knowing that it is a last posations of the ball game with 2 min left on the clock. short slants and you are down the field. not to metion you also have two great running backs that can get you the yards with there legs or there arms. But dont get down on nuyt he has gave us a great season and a chance at the SEC Champ. stay behind him and the razorbacks. and to nutt if Dick has problems pull him you have the talent develop it. Thank You and GOD Bless GO HOGS!! "

wildes Schwein wrote on Nov 26, 2006 5:13 PM:

" If anyone had said at the beginning of the season that Arkansas would have lost its first and last games of the season and won all in between, I don't think anyone in the state would have complained. I hope in the future that Gus Malzahn gets to coach the offense on his own. The university needs to keep this guy. "


*Member ID:
*Password:
  Forgot Your Password?
 

Not already registered?
Register Now