Fans Disappointed After Arkansas' Loss

Last updated Saturday, December 2, 2006 10:31 PM CST in News

By Nathan Allen
The Morning News

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    BENTONVILLE -- Wearing his cardinal red Arkansas Razorback football jersey, area business owner Paul Nelson stood in the corner of his restaurant on Saturday talking to cheering customers with a big ol' smile on his face.

    As tons of people continued to fight for parking spaces and then pack into Nelson's Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Bentonville just before the kickoff of Arkansas' SEC Championship game against Florida on Saturday night, Nelson stood and thought about how great football game days truly are.

    "This is our Mother's Day, Easter Sunday and Super Bowl all rolled into one," said Nelson, who opened his Buffalo Wild Wings franchise in May 2005. "This is absolutely awesome. It's just a great day, especially with Arkansas playing for an SEC title."

    Because of the overflow of people on Saturday, Nelson overstaffed his restaurant with more waiters and waitresses to accommodate the Razorbacks fans looking to have a good time, eat good food and watch the game.

    Of course, fans hoping for an Arkansas victory had to instead settle for a frustrating 38-28 loss to the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.

    The loss was Arkansas' third straight in SEC title games since 1995 as Florida won its first conference championship since 2000.

    Now the Razorbacks, who at one point held a 21-17 lead in the second half against the Gators, will have to wait and see which bowl game they get invited to this month instead of being assured a spot in one of the Bowl Championship Series games to be held in January.

    "I think (Reggie Fish' fumble in the third quarter) really hurt us," said Springdale resident Curt Cagle, who watched the game at Brewski's Bar on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. "I think Houston Nutt called some bad plays in the game. Arkansas played respectable, though."

    Nelson said one of the advantages of watching games at his restaurant is it's divided into two parts, where one part is a bar area only and the other is the dining room, suitable for anybody -- including families -- looking to eat and watch sporting events on the several televisions lining the walls.

    The Bentonville Buffalo Wild Wings franchise has eight 102-inch televisions, 42 32-inch televisions and four smaller televisions in the outside patio.

    In other words, it's Mecca for any college football fan.

    "It's the best place in town," said Kim McCutcheon of Rogers. "We come here every week, that is, of course, if we're not at the game. We tried to get tickets to go to Atlanta, but we couldn't find any. So, instead, my family and some of our friends came down here -- it's the next best thing."

    One of the biggest advantages about watching games at area restaurants is how the entire family can be involved, said Bentonville resident Jennifer Harrison.

    "They've got trivia games, poker games and practically anything else to keep the kids busy," said Harrison, who watched the game with her husband, Jamie, and their four kids -- Emily, 13, Alec, 10, Arielle, 8 and Anna, 5 -- at Buffalo Wild Wings. "They love to watch and cheer on the Razorbacks and plus, Jamie and I can eat some great food and also have a great time. It's the best of all worlds."

    Sheena Hollingsworth, a bartender at Springdale's Jose's Southwest Grille, said working on days the Razorbacks are playing football is a lot of fun because of how so many more people come in the restaurant to watch the game.

    Jose's also advertised a "Hog Watch Party" all week to bring more people into the restaurant Saturday night.

    "I mean, yeah, I have to work and serve drinks, but I've got TVs above me and I can also watch the game," Hollingsworth said. "Sometimes, when it gets busy, it's hard to sneak a peek at how the Hogs are doing, but I always manage to watch a couple minutes of the game.

    "To be really honest, working on game days is more fun than anything, because the restaurant has a buzz and a great atmosphere. When we've got a lot of Hog fans, there's really nothing better than to all cheer on the Hogs together."

    For the most part, fans watching the game on Dickson Street headed home after the game because of the disappointment of Arkansas' loss.

    "We were really hoping they could pull out a victory," said Lincoln resident David Scannell, who watched the game at George's Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street "Florida outplayed us. It's been a great year, but if they (potentially) lose three straight games to end the year, that's really going to be disappointing for what was shaping up to be a great, great season."

    Reader Comments (32 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.

    Disappointed wrote on Dec 2, 2006 11:27 PM:

    " Are we sure our offense shouldn't be renamed OFFENSIVE? "

    Rocky Balboa wrote on Dec 3, 2006 2:38 AM:

    " Mitch Mustain should have been the starting quarterback in the 2nd half. Go see my movie on Dec. 22nd. "

    texashogfan wrote on Dec 3, 2006 8:09 AM:

    " THE AGONY OF DEFEAT!!!!!! Where was Mitch and why do we keep losing the big games???? Why oh why? Maybe they have a lame duck bowl that we can play in and we might win!!! On the positive side though, The Hogs were'nt even supposed to finish in the top of the SEC. Hopefully next season we can take this experience and build on it. GO HOGS GO!!! A very disappointed hog fan :( "

    pigslop wrote on Dec 3, 2006 8:11 AM:

    " Houston Nutt ought to be fired leaving an 8-0 quarterback on the bench. Nutt messed up the rythym or karma of the team. Dick is now 1-2 to be 1-3 without Mustain. "

    Hay guys wrote on Dec 3, 2006 8:38 AM:

    " It is all about money, not "win or loose". "

    Hogs Fans ROCK wrote on Dec 3, 2006 9:02 AM:

    " I was at the game last night, the game was disappointing to say the least. But I've been around such a rude fans. Behind me fans yelling "break his knees!", or "who cares is he's hurt, leave him in on the field!" - along with other words inappropriate for this posting. It seemed the entire group of Florida fans were into this type of behavior. Our fans ROCK! We are respectful in our support of team. We didn't win the game, but our fans were classy in defeat. "

    Ozarks wrote on Dec 3, 2006 9:35 AM:

    " I hope we go to the Cotton Bowl and we have to finish on a positive note. "

    budatexasfan wrote on Dec 3, 2006 10:45 AM:

    " The last two defeats at the hands of LSU and Florida can be blamed directly on the coaching staff for not developing an adequate passing game. I thought a balanced attack was an objective going into the season. Apparently this idea was abandoned along the way. You can win most of them with the talent the Hogs have this year but you can't win the big ones with the coaching Nutt approach to coaching. "

    IrishTiger wrote on Dec 3, 2006 11:13 AM:

    " budatexasfan you are correct. I cannot believe a player in major college, div 1a football, is not taught to let a ball go on a punt that carries over the 10 yard line. How stupid! As an LSU fan, my reasons for pulling for the Hogs are obvious, but for this guy Fish to try and field a punt at his three, and trying to catch the ball over his shoulder, I'd like to apply for the vacant position of Arkansas Special Teams Coach, because if that guy is not told to hit the road, especially when a punt is blocked, then a punt is muffed, with both leading directly to points, Nutt is certainly NUTS! Good luck in your Bowl! GEAUX Tigers! "

    IrishTiger wrote on Dec 3, 2006 11:15 AM:

    " Oh yeah, Y'all should have won that game going away. Once the momentum shifted in the Hogs favor, Florida couldn't do anything right until that gift by Fish. "

    Jack wrote on Dec 3, 2006 11:32 AM:

    " Houson Nutt will never win the big games. How many more years will we be happy just to play average at best. No other college in the country but Arkansas would put up with his crap! "

    nutt needs to go wrote on Dec 3, 2006 11:54 AM:

    " I have not been a Nutt fan for ages, but the problem isn't Nutt- the problem is Broyles. He can't see that his shining boy isn't the coach the Razorbacks need to be a top national contender. Things won't change until Broyles is gone. Someone without that "personal" connection would make the changes necessary for Arkansas to be great. "

    IQ-FACTOR wrote on Dec 3, 2006 11:55 AM:

    " Lets see 4-and 3 as a starter v/s 8 and 0 ??? After last weeks stats Nutt plays Mitch 1 slap in the face play? Where is the NO-HUDDLE??? --Bottom -line.. Nutt and Dick CAN NOT win big games. Face the proven history. Cold hard facts. Shebest --bow out! How bout that inaccurate/ no-scrambling Dick??? The fans deserve at least some changes and coaches to be - stand up-take responsility for bad coaching...as well as good... -- "

    IQ-FACTOR wrote on Dec 3, 2006 12:12 PM:

    " "Lets see keep doing the same things and keep getting the same results. Lets not change anything-same game plan as last week" -Nutt says. I can say 1 good thing about him he sure is consistant. Lets see in the bowl game? Do we keep Mitch on the bench and discipline him some more and lose or do we change the spirit of the fans who pay good money to watch our "COACHES" MAKE GOOD DECISIONS"!!!!!! "

    Hogwild wrote on Dec 3, 2006 2:57 PM:

    " When Nutt came to Arkansas it was"Nuttin but Fun" solgan (with Danny Fords players) now it is " NUTTIN TO BRAG ABOUT" He can win a big game but not when it counts. "

    SWINETOPEARLS wrote on Dec 3, 2006 3:12 PM:

    " You've got to be kidding me. Arkansas is not Florida in recruiting. Does anyone remember the shape of Arkansas football before Nutt got here? Give him and the team a break and support them. Why do so many of the big schools want Nutt? Because he is good! Anyone who can win in such a small state with such few recruits is valuable. Some of you are just delusional and need to sober up. The best thing usually about Hog fans are that they stick together......I guess that's only when we're winning right? "

    Hogwild wrote on Dec 3, 2006 3:29 PM:

    " 14-0 = BCS National Champinship. If Nutt is so good why is here? I'm sure it is the not money. "

    SWINETOPEARLS wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:09 PM:

    " He would be making more at any of the schools that were courting him. Either way, money is paid to people who do jobs. I think it's loyalty, but fans like you really show it is one-sided. Are you really a Gator fan in Hog's disguise? I don't see why recruits would want to go to a school where the loudest fans only call for a new coach. Why do these other schools think they could get Nutt to come to their schools? Maybe it is an opportunity at better recruits to go further in his winning percentage. Though you and I feel the best job in the nation is at Arkansas, we are heavily out numbered and will be until Nutt takes us further...or until we get a new coach that can take us up and leave as soon as a larger named school calls. Then it's back down to reality....it's a hard thing to swallow sometimes. "

    NUT TY wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:11 PM:

    " Newsflash. Nutt sticks with Dick Hogs take it on chin "

    SWINETOPEARLS wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:21 PM:

    " We do have a staff that helps make that decision. I guess you all are right and all the experience they have means nothing....they should consult with everyone that disagrees with them before they coach. We should go back to Jack Crowe or maybe some of the other coaches we've had. Oh hold on another newsflash just came in...the Hogs have ten wins since....1980. I guess Nutt is dragging the university down. "

    Hogwild wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:37 PM:

    " Why did Nutt leave Arkansas to play football at OSU when Holtz wouldn't let him play. He wasn't good enought to be a back up. Now tell me about his Arkansas loyalty. My how short memory we have. "

    Hogwild wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:43 PM:

    " Newsflash 20 years ago it took 10 wins to be National Champions now Arkansas it takes 14. "

    SWINETOPEARLS wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:48 PM:

    " Actually the decision to leave revolved around the offense they were running. Though we've drifted off course, weren't we discussing the football team he is coaching and how he's taken it where it hasn't been in 26 years? But any argument put up will be diverted on to the way his shirt tail is out at the end of the games, etc. It's impossible to be everything to everyone, unfortunately the loudest are only heard by people who don't know a lot about the program...recruits and potential fans. So I digress, GO HOGS...keep the Nutt haters at bay for your coach and keep moving up in the pecking order til you're on top! Number 12 (or 13) today and the future is bright and filled with HOG CALLS! "

    Chris Clifton wrote on Dec 3, 2006 4:56 PM:

    " Nutt needs to go. He has done an Ok job as head coach. It's taken him 9 years to get this good and he still can't win big game. Look at the following stats for this year. We played 13 games this season. We played 4 teams who won 10 games, (USC, Auburn, LSU, Florida), our Record 1W 3L Of the other 9 games the 9 teams we defeated had a combined record of 42 Wins and 65 Losses that is a combined overall winning percentage of 39.3%. (Utah State 1-11, Vandy 4-8, Bama 6-6, South East Missouri 4-7, Ole Miss 4-8, La Monroe 4-8, South Carolina 7-5, Tennessee 9-3, Miss State 3-9). People can say all they want about Mitch. The fact is he has the best record of any freshman in the SEC, technically 8-0. Something is wrong with our coaches head to leave him on the bench. "

    LC wrote on Dec 3, 2006 5:05 PM:

    " Nine years is enough. Send Nutt and his ego back to Murray State. "

    The Future wrote on Dec 3, 2006 6:01 PM:

    " Monk may be in the NFL next year and there will be a quarteback controversy for next season. Will it be Dick or Mustain as next year's starter? One probably will not finish his career at Arkansas unless he likes the bench. McFadden should win the Heisman and then be the No. 1 pick. However, when the game is on the line I don't think it is smart move to have McFadden floating up passes to the opposition. "

    Hogwild wrote on Dec 3, 2006 6:24 PM:

    " Win the West but no BCS. "

    IQ factor wrote on Dec 3, 2006 8:48 PM:

    " The talent don't get much better. Quit making excuses for losing and talking about how good other teams are. That is a joke. The point is the decisions made at the head coach position. Real simple-stay with an undefeated quarterback-show him you have faith in him. Experience? Lost 2 games since he was 12? Hell we must be missing the out on the inside winning $'s here. When it takes 5 different passers to throw the ball -The Razorbacks do not have a real quarterback on the field-duh -he is on the bench for soom reason-THINK... Who will it be in the bowl? DICK AND NUTT or MUSTAIN AND MALSAHN? Welcome to the real world. The ? is do we want to be 9 and 0 with Mitch or 4 and 5 with Casey? "

    hogdog wrote on Dec 3, 2006 10:15 PM:

    " I think Nutt is afraid of Malsahn to let him call all the plays besides he was only 14-0 his last year has a head coach. "

    Linda Cherokee Vlg fan wrote on Dec 5, 2006 12:37 PM:

    " Yes, our Florida loss was a tough one to take but; regardless of the last two games, the Hogs have had a great season...my gosh people, there is probably no one in the state who feels worse than Fish but give the kid some slack...he's a kid in probably the biggest game of his life. Our team is made up on young men...not professional paid players I'm proud of them all!! Good or Bad their my team!! "

    famus amos wrote on Dec 7, 2006 9:51 AM:

    " all of you can knock houston nutt for his coaching if you want? but if you where the coach of these same razorbacks right now .what would your record be. i dont think any of you would have ten wins "

    Disappointed2 wrote on Dec 7, 2006 10:22 PM:

    " A looser coach creates a looser team. The last two games were played to loose, probably because of pure raw stubbornness. A winner was on the bench and a winner was on the sideline but they have to be held in check. Nutt is not mature enough to be a winner. "


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