Columns

Harry KingHARRY KING
Sports Columnist for The Morning News

Robbie NeiswangerROBBIE NEISWANGER
Sports Columnist for The Morning News



Sponsors

Bayou Beatdown

HOGS STUN NO. 1 LSU IN TRIPLE-OVERTIME

Last updated Friday, November 23, 2007 11:20 PM CST
in Razorback Central

By Alex Abrams
THE MORNING NEWS

Related Photos

BATON ROUGE, La. --The Golden Boot trophy is headed to Fayetteville. Darren McFadden can expect a trip to New York City.

And as for Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, there is a chance he might not be going anywhere after all.

After three overtimes, more than four hours and one Heisman Trophy performance by McFadden, the Razorbacks managed Friday evening to top the Miracle on Markham.

They knocked No. 1 LSU out of the national championship race, shook up the Bowl Championship Series picture and made history with a shocking 50-48 victory in front of a crowd of 92,606 in Tiger Stadium, as well as a national TV audience.

"All I know is, hey, we were the best in the country today," Nutt said. "We were the best team in the country today."

The Razorbacks (8-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) capped their unpredictable regular season by lasting four hours, 20 minutes in the cold to pull out one of the greatest victories in school history.

Friday marked only the fourth time Arkansas has beaten a top-ranked team, and it was the first time since a 42-11 win over No. 1 Texas in 1981.

At that time, Nutt was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State and McFadden wasn't even born yet.

"It's a great feeling. Last year we played them, we were 10-1. They knocked us out of the chance to go to the national championship (game)," McFadden said. "So it was a great feeling to be able to return the favor."

Arkansas perhaps earned an invite to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl with the win over LSU (10-2, 6-2).

The Razorbacks won in typical Nutt fashion: By running the football and outlasting an opponent in overtime. And in the process, the Razorbacks perhaps saved their coach's job.

Jeff Long, who will take over as Arkansas' athletic director when Frank Broyles retires at the end of the year, didn't want to discuss Nutt's situation afterward.

"I'm thrilled. What a game. It was a great team effort by the Arkansas team," Long said, waiting outside the visitors' locker room to congratulate Nutt.

"I'm so proud to be associated with this program and the way these young people played and the way they kept fighting back."

The celebration began as soon as cornerback Matterral Richardson sealed the win by intercepting a pass by LSU quarterback Matt Flynn in the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt in the third overtime.

Nutt exchanged hugs with his players and assistant coaches. McFadden held up one of the wooden baseball bats Nutt had given the entire team last week. And offensive tackle Robert Felton waved a large white Razorbacks flag in the end zone -- like he did following last year's upset at then-No. 2 Auburn.

"After I caught that ball, I was like, 'It's over with,'" Richardson said. "We had been practicing all week, and the coaches were like, 'Believe.'"

Before Friday, Arkansas had not beaten LSU (10-2, 6-2) since Nov. 29, 2002 when quarterback Matt Jones connected with DeCori Birmingham for the game-winning touchdown in War Memorial Stadium in what is known as The Miracle on Markham.

McFadden and Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis proved to be the heroes Friday, breaking off long runs and making big plays in overtime.

McFadden scored the Razorbacks' first two touchdowns, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Hillis and boosted his Heisman chances by scorching LSU's defense for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.

Hillis, meanwhile, had the game of his career.

The senior broke off a 65-yard touchdown run that gave the Hogs a 21-14 lead at 5 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter. He then picked up a first down with a 13-yard reception on a fourth-and-10 in the first overtime.

And Hillis bulldozed his way three yards into the end zone for Arkansas' final touchdown in triple overtime. Running back Felix Jones scored on the ensuing two-point conversion for the winning points.

"That was my Super Bowl. That was my national championship," said Hillis, who scored four touchdowns Friday. "And nobody came out here thinking we could do it."

GAMEBREAKER

WHY THE RAZORBACKS WON

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden proved he was a Heisman Trophy candidate by rushing for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Fullback Peyton Hillis showed his versatility with four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving), and the defense held its own when it mattered most.

WHY THE TIGERS LOST

Quarterback Matt Flynn struggled to get into a rhythm in the first half, forcing LSU to settle for a pair of field goals. The defense couldn't stop Arkansas' running attack, and Flynn picked the wrong time to throw his first interception.



Reader Comments (37 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.

Westcoast Hawg wrote on Nov 24, 2007 3:08 AM:

" A GREAT VICTORY FOR ARKANSAS OVER NUMBER 1 LSU! DARREN MCFADDEN TO THE HEISMAN! "

Swinehunt wrote on Nov 24, 2007 7:54 AM:

" What about the OFFENSE LINE and CASEY DICK. Let's talk about his handling the game, no mistakes, no intercepts and no fumbles on his part. What a job by David Lee in developing Casey. The Hogs have one of the best backfields the game of football has ever seen! And the best "over-time" game in all of football! No question ABOUT IT !!! "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 7:57 AM:

" Great victory, McFadden to Heisman, Hillis and Jones, first round picks, defense played lights out all game, LSU cooperated by not being there 1st. half, and Nutt stayed out of the way just enough to not jerk defeat from the jaws of victory. Bless Lee for having Casey enough ready to complete a pass when we were desperate and be the difference maker in the game. Deception in the offensive scheme kept LSU from keying on just 1 player all game long. The defense took chances on every down and guessed correctly 90 percent of the time. What total effort. In a year when there aren't any monster teams, we could have been the one. Reality is that we could be 12-0 right now with deceptive offensive scheme and a little luck. Our defense wasn't real good early, but was put in position for failure constantly by poor offensive scheme and horrible play calling. Arkansas should be 25-1 in its last 26 games, not 18-8. A wonderful group of players sold short by lots of horrible scheme and play calling. "

HawgCowboy wrote on Nov 24, 2007 8:11 AM:

" CONGRATULATIONS to all of the players and coaches on offense and defense. We watched you win over the No. 1 team at their home in "Death Valley." A special pat on the back to Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Peyton Hillis, Matterral Richardson, Michael Grant, and Casey Dick at QB who hung in there all year and came through in the clutch. CONGRATULATIONS to the entire offensive and defensive lines. Your hard work all year has paid off for you!!! We believe in our Razorbacks!! "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 8:17 AM:

" Never in the history of the NCAA has 3 running backs of this quality been in the same backfield. This entire team has enough dedicated players to have won the NC this year, but not enough coach. "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 8:30 AM:

" I agree 12247. Of course Hog wild doesn't. She (it) stated we'll NEVER have a NC team so we need to just get over it. I say, you can't beat the number one team in the nation without having a NC calibre team. Next year will be a building year for whomever takes over the position. I also agree that D-Mac should win the Heisman, although Mark May and Lou Holtz disagree with that. "

HawgCowboy wrote on Nov 24, 2007 8:57 AM:

" CoHog, with the immaturity and childishness that you displayed with your posts yesterday I am surprised you have the courage to show your face on here today. I am guessing you have never been married and probably have never even had a girlfriend?? You just do not have any of the qualities that girls and women admire. Plus you showed an ugly temper yesterday or was that just your temper tantrum immatation of a 2 year old?? Move on to some other team with your unrealistic expectations for other people plus our players and our coaches. Fulfill your own dreams by what you accomplish in your own life not being a spectator and critic of others lives. Do not visit your sadness and vindictiveness against us true Hog fans and the players and coaches. BTW I am HawgCowboy's wife today and I have turned many an eye in my day, but do not have the time of day for your type. "

LAHOG wrote on Nov 24, 2007 9:02 AM:

" Why can't you admit Houston Nutt and his staff coached a great game. I bet Louisee-Anna Coach Miles wish he hadn't miss pronounced AR-Kansas last week. If Miles leave LSU, don't be supprised if they don't go for Coach Nutt. Coach Nutt is a great coach. "

ppdmike wrote on Nov 24, 2007 10:17 AM:

" When HDN arrived all we asked was "can you beat SMU". We just beat #1 and may loose our coach...my how things have changed. You will never find a coach that bleeds Razorback blood like HDN. Prepare for AR to be a coaching stepping stone like soo many other universities. "

razorrod wrote on Nov 24, 2007 11:06 AM:

" To all of you calling out co-hog. I must say. The reason he like I get so worked up and angry is the willingness of some people to accet mediocrity. That was a great win for the Razorbacks. Unfortunately all it did was prove that we have the talent to be undefeated or at worst have one loss. Thanks to a massive HDN ego and his poor coaching ability we finished .500 in conf play yet again. But guess what I saw a poster on yesterdays article saying Nutt for 10 more years. Are some of you crazy, or just don't care? People that say that are the same ones that when we were in the old SWC we can lose every game as long as we beat TX and that's ok. It is absolutely rediculous. To set the record straight I have spoken via telephone with co-hog many times and he is a pretty smart fellow and does have a family. The problem you guys don't understand is he can see beyond the victory yesterday. It was a great win, but it doesn't come close to making up for the disaster HDN has created on the hill. HDN must go and must go now. "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 12:02 PM:

" Hawgcowboy (and spouse) there was nothing in my posts yesterday that any less "mature" than other things that were stated by Hogwild - I replied in kind. You don't need to mention my wife as she is no longer here to defend herself. I'm not here to get a date so I don't care what any so called women would have to say or think about me. Arkansas is the only team I care about, that level of caring went down the past four years under the current coach. I'm surprised Hawgcowboy has a wife, rumor was he is gay. "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 12:05 PM:

" Thank you razor. "

razorrod wrote on Nov 24, 2007 12:10 PM:

" " I am not certain what game you guys were watching. How many series did we go three and out to open the game? The defense actually kept them in it early because the offense could do nothing. I find it odd that with the wildcat (oh im sorry wild hog) we were able to move the ball. Funny to me that HDN and David lee's new super pro style offense can't move it an inch until they start running the offense brought in by a guy you huggers call highschool. Wow what could have been. Combine the wildcat (wildhog) with an actual passing game and where would they be? Oh that's right most likely undefeated and ranked number one in the BCS. instead nope. We finished with a big win and .500 in conf play. Thanks Houston. I will still pay your uhaul expense out of town. Congrats to the players on a fine effort and can't wait to watch d-mac,felix, and hillis on sundays... " "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 12:47 PM:

" ESPN reported this morning that, via the UofA athletic department, HDN has stated he will not resign; that he will have to be fired in order that he may obtain the buyout of his contract. Realistically, how does that show any support for a state that has provided him and his family a very comfrotbale living for the past decade? It shows me the state and it's interests are second to him (at least). "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 2:02 PM:

" I hope someone with authority has the good sense to terminate Nutt. First, I would find my new coach and have him onboard, but let Nutt stew about what we were going to do a few days. As the vancancies fill, let him sweat it out. He isn't worth a buyout however that isn't his fault. Its our adminstration's total failure to control Frank and then get off their duff and fire Nutt years ago. Someone posted that we will let Nutt go and then be a loser for 10 years. Fine, hire an 80 IQ, just be sure he can control his ego. Great assistants and players win games. Head coaches manage the troops. Mr. Ego could have won a BCS game last year and won an NC this year if he could control his ego. I cannot stand Nutt. He or I one must depart the Razorback situation. He stays, I give up. "

HawgCowboy wrote on Nov 24, 2007 2:16 PM:

" OUTED --- Co-hog, Razorrod, and 12247 are the same person, using the exact same arguments. It's obvious, just using different computers. I don't believe THIS PERSON holds down a job, because you're on here whining all the time of day and night, so it must be several computers at home and neighbors. You'll never leave whining about our Hogs, not yours...you have deserted the boys numerous times. "

razorbackbacker wrote on Nov 24, 2007 3:36 PM:

" I wonder 12247 if you are a man of his word or just a man and his words. Will you leave? No one in his right mind at the University will fire Nutt this year. Talk about money coming in. He is the reason why all this new stadium, weight room, etc. has been built. Money will still come in and Nutt according to many hasn't done anything worthy of being fired. Just hasn't won the big one, but close the last few years is not enough reason. 90% of the Universities in D-1 wish that they had Coach Nutts game and desire to win for the UA at their University. "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 3:57 PM:

" HawgCowboy, razor says he lives around Cleburne, Texas, I live in Tulsa and Co-Hog, don't know where he lives. The admiration you show for our posts is appreciated. We do sing the same truthful, reasonable well thought out song. Open your mind Hawg, there is a great big world out there. I believe in the Razorbacks to, enough to realize those players were sold 4 losses short this year alone by a big ego, overpaid fool who can't scheme offense nor in game play call. We beat 5 teams this year that were, in no way, even close to our talent. Seriously, many highschool teams would have beaten these teams the day we beat them. We went 3-4 against decent teams. Yesterday we beat #1, who played for exactly one half and whose coach is not better than ours but at least he knows it and hires decent staff and lets them coach. Nutt's overall record is pitiful and readily speaks for itself. The record is black and white, solid proof. If you can't make an intelligent decision just based on that, you got a problem. Behond Nutt's record, his chartacter is certainly questionable and his ability to think and perform in the best interests of the team doesn't exist. It's all about Houston, all the time. Hawg, if this is your boy, you may have a problem. "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 4:04 PM:

" razorbackbacker, I am up in the years. No time to continue dealing with stupidity. As you get older, you regulate the ignorance in your life. Nutt as HC at Arkansas is stupidity. I can walk on that. Won't like it but can do it. May still post and will support BB, BB, and track. Intentionally leaving a blight like Nutt in charge of our team is stupid. "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 4:08 PM:

" Thanks to you too 12247. I live in Colorado. Interesting how razorrod can purportedly hold a phonecon with himself huh? Hawgcowboy probably thinks today is Sunday cuz UA played yesterday. "

HawgCowboy wrote on Nov 24, 2007 5:04 PM:

" SPRINGDALE CONNECTION --- Razorrod, 12247, and Co-Hog have all admitted that they have lived in Springdale in the past or have shown a connection to Springdale people there in their postings. This is just hometown Springdale hate coming out of these three posters that are so FULLY INVESTED in getting revenge for Nutt and Malzahn not getting along together...and for Mitch being treated so badly by fans and deciding to leave. They are full of EMOTIONAL HATE and RESENTMENT. Pity them fans. "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 5:31 PM:

" I have NEVER lived in Springdale hawgcowboy, nor have I EVER stated I have. I also have NO connection whatsoever to Springdale. You have yet AGAIN displayed your total ignorance of anything factual. I don't hate you nor do I resent you. You obviously have hatred and resentment toward me and my two friends (razor and 12247). You filled the posting board, including up to 3 and 4 in the morning on Thanksigiving day preaching "love". So where's the love Hawg? Where's the love?? "

suepig wrote on Nov 24, 2007 5:57 PM:

" well, all I can say is co-hog, razor and 12247, are complete morons and who cares about their whining. They accuse Nutt of having no integrity when they so lack it themselves. Go root for Tulsa you ignorant clowns. Go Hogs!!! "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 5:58 PM:

" HawgCowboy, I never lived in Springdale, nor ever claimed to. Don't know Malzahn or the players involved in Houston's screw up. I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night either, but I do know a sorry, lowdown, chickens--t, underhanded , low class, no class move when I see one. What Nutt did to those people is all the above and more. In addition, he can't coach offensive scheme and can't do in game play calling at all. He is your man and that speaks volumes about you. If you must stand behind Nutt while thinking bad of Malzahn and those players, you are two-faced and very one-sided. "

CO-Hog wrote on Nov 24, 2007 6:20 PM:

" Sue Pig you are also full of the same contempt Hawgcowboy and Hog Wild are. When have we EVER shown any lack of integrity? I don't root for TU (althoughI have alos lived there) but even if I did would that make me less ofd a Hog fan? Why don't you, Hawgcowboy, Hog Wild, and whomever else all get together, hold hands, and sing Kuhm-Ba-Ya ... "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 6:26 PM:

" suepig, How am I without integrity? I am a grownup, tell me how? "

RUPEOPLERETARDED wrote on Nov 24, 2007 6:34 PM:

" THEY SHOULD GIVE COACH NUTT A 2 MILLION DOLLAR RAISE, AND A 5 YR CONTRACT EXTENSION, IF THIS BOARD IS ANY INDICATION AT ALL OF THE STUPIDITY HE'S BEEN DEALING WITH IN THAT STATE. AND WHO DO THESE COMPLETE MORONS THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET TO COME TO ARKANSAS NOW? I AT LEAST HOPE THEY HAVE A COUSIN OR SOMEONE IN MIND ALREADY INA RKANSAS, CUZ NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD TOUCH THAT HOT BED IN A ZILLION YRS RIGHT NOW. "

mc wrote on Nov 24, 2007 6:47 PM:

" The perfect example of an inadequate coaching staff - they win ballgames with Malzahn's WildHog (wildcat) scheme when their own is not good enough. "

#1 HOG FAN wrote on Nov 24, 2007 6:56 PM:

" I used to support Nutt, right up until I witnessed the Bama and UK ballgames. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, because he went 10-4 as HC last year. I wanted to see if he was really going to do what he said, when he brought in David Lee. We went right back to the same old worthless, play-calling we used in '05, with you know who calling the plays, so it was a no-brainer for me to give up on the "Nutt". LSU is a great win, no dout about it, but it's time for this guy to go, after his big soap opera affair, over the past 11 months. Here's the biggest problem following this guy: He should have opened his eyes years ago, and he wouldn't be in the position he's in today. Hopefully, the LSU win will be big enough for Nutt's agent (Sexton) to get him another gig, worth a little more money, so he can move on without a fuss. That would be the best senario that, I for one, could hope for. "

RUPEOPLERETARDED wrote on Nov 24, 2007 6:57 PM:

" ARKANSAS COULD PROBABLY GET CALLAHAN OR ORGERON RIGHT NOW, IF THEY PAID THEM ENOUGH THAT IS. I MEAN IF THEY JUST WANT TO CHANGE COACHES AND DON'T REALLY CARE WHO THEY GET. HERE'S THE PROBLEM THOUGH. ALL ARKANSAS COULD GET RIGHT NOW WOULD BE A YOUNG COACH WITH POTENTIAL, BECAUSE NO COACH WITH CREDENTIALS IS GOING TO STEP INTO THE SOUTH EASTERN CONFERENCE, FOR LESS MONEY THAN THEY'RE CURRENTLY PAYING THEIR CURRENT COACH (HOUSTON NUTT), AND KNOWING THAT 10 WIN SEASONS WILL NOT SATISFY THE PEOPLE IN ARKANSAS. I THINK ARKANSAS' SMALL BUT LOUD MINORITY HAS PROBABLY SET BACK THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS PROGRAM FOR YEARS AND YEARS. THEY HAVE TWO OPTIONS, THE BEST OPTION IS TO KEEP THEIR CURRENT COACH, IN WHAT WILL LIKELY BE A REBUILDING YR, AND THEN HAVE SOME LEGITIMACY NEXT YEAR, IF THEY WERE TO FIRE HIM THEN. THE OTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO HIRE AN UNKNOWN COACH WITH POTENTIAL, BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THEY COULD GET AFTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN THAT BACK WOODS HAVEN. "

#1 HOG FAN wrote on Nov 24, 2007 7:30 PM:

" Definition Of Integrity: Personal "wholeness," or moral soundness. A person of integrity is a person who is responsible. He or she is one who can be depended on to act always in accord with thier highest sense of what is right. "

#1 HOG FAN wrote on Nov 24, 2007 7:37 PM:

" I'm sure most of us on this blog don't qualify for this standard of excellence. "

12247 wrote on Nov 24, 2007 9:01 PM:

" Houston has been here 10 years. His signature game was yesterday when his team beat a #1 LSU team that didn't play at all for an entire half. Nearly all of Houston's great recruits are players that would have come if I was the coach. He has never even come close to developing a QB during his tenure. The few better QBs he has recruited left early for 1 reason or another. Even with Broyles pushing him to hire an OC, he refused until Malzahn was forced on him. He didn't endorse Malzahn, he didn't respect the man's ability. He brought a 3 time retread in on top of Malzahn. Malzahn as you can see, doesn't need a helper to develop an offense. He fired the unbeaten QB because the kid smarted off about him. The kid was right, however, he should have kept his smart mouth to himself. Houston has never been a team player, never. It is all about Houston. Even though he can't develop, manage or call an offense, he likes that position and will cause his team to lose to have his way. Though he causes many of the losses Arkansas incurs, he never takes blame for anything, always finding someone to toss under the bus for his failures. His ego is the only constant in his life. Houston Nutt is a born loser. "

razorbackfan wrote on Nov 24, 2007 9:23 PM:

" That was great win, and I do not want to take anything away from the fans or players, but after 10 years it is time for Nutt to go. We had a good game yesterday but for us to be 4-4 in the SEC this year is sad. We should be nothing less then 6-2 and prob. 8-0 in conference play. We have great talent and it was not used in the first half of the year because Nutt and his puppet (David Lee) are the worse play callers in the history of college football. It is time for a change and for any fan that does not see that is blind. We are better off today then when Nutt came, but this is as far as he is going to take us, so lets move on and get rid of Nutt. ALSO, Co-Hog where at in Colorado are you from?? "

#1 HOG FAN wrote on Nov 25, 2007 7:36 AM:

" Whoops! There goes that integrity again! "

jguidry wrote on Nov 25, 2007 8:39 AM:

" ok nutt is not the one bringing in the money for ark. and what drive to win and be all about ark. i love ark and i will go to the games no matter who is coaching. and that is the way the mass majority of the fans are. as far as springdale goes well i graduated from springdale and played ball there. it is a wonderful comunitte. and yes they are proud of their boys. i have lived all over nw ark and have yet to see a town that supported their school more. and you can say what ever you want about gus he is a great coach and well respected. u cant get mad at people becoming tulsa fans. gus is a great guy. he never acted like he was better then anyone or like he was better then anyone else. he would sit down and talk to anyone and take the time to stop and shake a mans hand even on the way to the field. and the fans didnt have anything against mitch until all the crap happend with nutt and him. nutt hung him out to dry instead of taking the boy aside and being a guide for him. he would take him out of games becouse he threw an interception then casey would get 3 to 5 and what kind of message does that send. the facts well mitch never lost at ark. and had a better record then casey. "

BigHog wrote on Nov 25, 2007 10:58 AM:

" " FACTS: Casey Dick --- Passing Efficiency = 129.67 --- TD vs. Int = 18 - 9 ............. Let's see, little Mitch threw how many TDs and how many Int's = 9 INTs vs. 10 TDs ...... hey Springdale, who's the better QB????? " "


*Member ID:
*Password:
  Forgot Your Password?
 

Not already registered?
Register Now