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Arkansas Tailback Runs Wild Against Troy

Jones plays major role in leading hogs to season-opening win

Last updated Saturday, September 1, 2007 11:38 PM CDT
in Razorback Central

By Jerry L. Reed
THE MORNING NEWS

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FAYETTEVILLE -- There was no need to photo shop any pictures taken of Arkansas junior tailback Felix Jones on Saturday.

Clearly, there was no reason to doctor any of the shots, no need to add or take anything away.

He was picture perfect.

Cameras clicked all night as Jones seemed to run farther and faster than Forrest Gump in helping No. 21 Arkansas beat Troy (Ala.) University 46-26 in front of 73,926 in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Most notable of all his runs was a second-quarter 90-yard kickoff return which temporarily deflated Troy's confidence. It followed the Trojans' first touchdown.

"I think Felix's play changed the game," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "They just scored and we took the air out of them with Felix's 90-yard touchdown.

"The wedge did a good job, the blockers did a good job and that was just awesome."

Jones, who rushed for 131 yards on 12 carries, shied from taking the credit on the long TD run.

"Well, all I had to do is run and follow my blocks," Jones said. "Darren (McFadden) threw the first big block for me. I had a lot of good ones on the runback.

"It was exciting."

That game-changing touchdown return was historic. Jones became the first player in school history to have three kickoff returns for touchdowns of 90-plus yards.

Jones gave an indication he'd have a banner night on his first carry of the game. He took a reverse and rambled 40 yards.

"I owe all the credit to those guys up front," Jones said. "Guys like (Jonathan) Luigs, (Jose) Valdez, (Nate) Garner. All those guys up there did their jobs.

"They made it possible."

Garner said the offensive line was only doing its job.

"It all starts with the line," Garner said. "That's what coach Nutt always tells us. We just try to get our assignments right to open the hole for them. You feel so good when you throw a run and you see a guy run past you.

"It's the best feeling in the world."



Reader Comments (14 comment(s))


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razorbackbacker wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:52 AM:

" Hmmm I wonder. Why not two Heisman hopefulls. Why not have A & B for the top spot. Felix is just as good as DMac. Just in different areas. DMac hard, punisher, runner. Felix, real fast scatback. At the end of the year his all purpose yards will be up there at the top. Now don't get me wrong DMac is the man and will win the trophy if he plays like he did last night and doen't get hurt. Last night's game is fixable. Reggie will take out the crooks and make them straight. He will fix the defence just like he has the last few years. "

texashogfan wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:41 AM:

" Here! Here!razorbackbacker. The defense stunk in the first half. If they play that way in two weeks it will be a long night for the Hogs. Houston Nutt needs to get his head on straight and find someone who can pass the ball for Casey Dick. He stunk up the stadium in the first half. Pathetic!! It will be a long less than stellar season if something doesn't start clicking on the passing game and the defense had better wake up and stop the opponents they have left. None of them will be as easy to overcome as Troy was. "

doublereedhawgcaller wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:10 AM:

" Looks like special teams punt returns gonna kill us again this year!!!!!!!!! "

razorrod wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:59 AM:

" well here we are. where are all the huggers this morning? where are all the David Lee lovers? Where are all the Casey dick will be fine people? Where are all the people that were talking about how much improved our passing game will be people? I guess troy didn't have enough ladders on the field for Casey to throw over or behind. It's a sad thing. Every d-1 school is alotted pretty much the same amount of practice time leading up to a season and yet once again we can't throw it a bit. That's all well and good when you are playing an inferior opponent and you have talent like d-mac and felix. I actually feel bad for those two. Put them on a team that can throw it a little and they would each run for 200 a game. Pleasepeople wake up and smell the coffee. I mean if you can't do it against Troy what is going to happen in two weeks against Bama? Do you honestly think if they couldn't develope a passing game leading up to the season that something magical will happen in two weeks. Could end up being a long year on the hill. "

GonzoHawg wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:42 PM:

" I,m not anything close to a "hugger", but some of you guys are "football dumb" at best! It would be foolish to show the Crimson Tide everything in your arsenal if you didn't have to. They didn't show you everything that Casey could have thrown, and they didn't even show us as much as they could have with the "WildHog" package. When you are capable of beating a team with a pre-dominate running game, it is nothing but foolish to show them anything else, especially in the very first game. If you want to see a lack of passing game, just look at Notre Dame. Georgia Tech clobbered them yesterday 33-3, by using nothing but an up the middle running game, and a lot of blitzes on defense. The QB's of the Fighting Irish are supposed to be top notch prized recruits. We've seen that before haven't we? As far as Troy being an inferior opponent, try telling that to Florida St. and Geogia Tech, who barely beat these guys last year, and both trailed them for the better part of the game. Thier probably a better team this year, with the exsperiance and talent they have back. How would you like to be a Michigan fan right now? At least we were prepared. If casey hadn't had 2 dropped passes, he would have went 13-20, compared to 11-20. Did you forget the NFL prospects the Trojans have at DB? "

razorrod wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:50 PM:

" lol...1 completed pass to a wide receiver. Oh wait d-mac threw that one. and yes that's also the same troy team that got blistered by Nebraska last year. Please also consider we aren't talking about floida st during the chalie ward and chris weinke years either. the noles haven't been top notch in years, but then again neither have we. Plain and simple. Forget how much we showed on offense. Just explain every pass that was to an open man was either behind the receiver or way over his head. is that Casey's fault. I would think so it's called not being any good. "

GonzoHawg wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:02 PM:

" texashogfan, your statement above was "none of them will be as easy to overcome as Troy was". yea, right! The other 3 non-conference teams we play this year are "patsies" compared to Troy, and I garantee you they would beat Ole Miss or Miss. St. They are at least in the middle of the pack when it comes to talent. The name of the game is team play and stratigie. All teams make adjustmaents at half-time. The Hogs did that on defense, and in the passing game, and since someone brought it up (razor) from what I saw in the second half (when it really counts) Casey is going to be just fine. Did anyone see the first half of the USC-Idaho game? Idaho looked like they were Tulsa playing against La. Monroe, but I'm sure the Trojans made some ajustments at the half, just as the Hogs did, and since knowone else has enough brass to be a real fan, I'll say it for you..... GO HOGS GO BABY!!!!! BEAT BAMA!!!!! "

GonzoHawg wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:10 PM:

" Since Casey isn't any good, because he doesn't throw every single pass with pin-point accuracy, then I suppose you would agree that Michigan isn't any good, since they got beat by a Div. II team, right? "

GonzoHawg wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:13 PM:

" The 1 completed pass was from Casey to Reggie Fish for 9 yds. "

razorrod wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:47 PM:

" No I think lloyd carr should have been fired when the clock hit zero. And don't be suprised if he doesn't get canned. he will for sure if he loses to ohio st again. difference is Michigan fans won't tolerate that garbage and bury their head in the sand like some so called hog fans do. just get ready to gear up the excuse machine. "

doublereedhawgcaller wrote on Sep 2, 2007 3:56 PM:

" Alrite enough about this where is Felix's campaign for the Heisman? "

mike in magnolia wrote on Sep 2, 2007 4:19 PM:

" My Lord folks we had over 500 yards in total offence. I don't care if Dick completes the pass or if is D Mac or Petrus if it is a complete pass then do whatever you have to. We won and we will win more gmes this year. I was there and got frustrated when dick over threw Hillis in the end zone and I also got frustrated when Johnson droped the pass that was right in his gut, but that's football. The QB for Troy was something like 15 for 42 I bet he would have traded places with Dick in a heart beat. Don't you think HN knows he doesn't have a QB? Because of this we have to dance with the lady we brought Go HOGS! "

doublereedhawgcaller wrote on Sep 2, 2007 6:25 PM:

" Why is everyone worried about passing, championships are won with a strong defense. I'd be more worried about special teams on punt returns than the passing game right now. If nothing else D-Mac will take care of the passing out of the WildHog formation. "

12247 wrote on Sep 2, 2007 6:47 PM:

" We in a heap of trouble boys. Game one in the books and no hard effort to work on the ole passing game. 22 flips for a buck 57. Nathan didn't get a shot. We needed to train QB's and receivers the last quarter and a half even if it meant completions for 2 yard losses. Casey looked better 2 years ago than now. I don't think 5 and 25 can run all over Alabama unless they at least think we might can pass. Last year teams thought we might could pass. This passing attack wouldn't scare a good high school team. The thought that we might be holding something back in the passing game is unlikely. You don't intentionally miss an open receiver just to look bad. This team needs to practice its passing attack at every opportunity, the last 20 minutes against Troy for example. We got 2 weeks to surprise the entire football world and develop a little passing. After years of trying, it isn't likely we will be there in 2 weeks. "


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