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Temple Of Doom

Last updated Tuesday, January 1, 2008 7:25 PM CST
in Razorback Central

By Alex Abrams
THE MORNING NEWS

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DALLAS -- This is not what the Razorbacks had in mind when they accepted a bid to play in the Cotton Bowl.

Over the past few weeks, Arkansas' coaches and players had talked at length about wanting to give retiring athletic director Frank Broyles a proper send-off.

They spoke about wanting to win one for Arkansas interim coach Reggie Herring and the need to end a rough 2007 season on a high note. None of that happened, though.

It was much worse.

The week leading up to Tuesday's Cotton Bowl was filled with questions about Darren McFadden's eligibility, and the trip ended with an ugly 38-7 loss to No. 7 Missouri that left Herring feeling embarrassed.

"It's frustrating," Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs said. "It's a sick feeling knowing that there are going to be a lot of familiar faces gone next year, and the fact that we went out losing this way, it doesn't sit good on your stomach."

Tuesday proved to be one of the lower moments in Arkansas' history.

The No. 25 Razorbacks (8-5) did just about everything they could do wrong in front of a sellout crowd of 73,114 in the historic Cotton Bowl.

They committed a season-worst five turnovers, including four fumbles and an interception was returned for a touchdown. They stopped themselves early on by calling a timeout during their own successful fake punt.

And they made Missouri running back Tony Temple look like McFadden while rushing for a Cotton Bowl-record 281 yards and four touchdowns.

"We were not crisp tacklers, we weren't very aggressive, we just weren't ourselves," Herring said. "I guess I have to take the blame because I am the defensive coach, and for some reason, we just weren't on snuff as far as tackling and whatnot."

Frankly, it didn't matter that Arkansas' defense held Missouri quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel to a season-low 136 yards passing with no touchdowns.

While the Razorbacks prepared over the past month to stop the Tigers' big-play passing game, they had no answers for slowing down Temple. Missouri outgained Arkansas 323-164 on the ground and racked up 459 yards of total offense.

"They're not the Green Bay Packers, but they are a good football team," Arkansas interim defensive coordinator Louis Campbell said of Missouri. "By the same token, I don't think we could have beaten Woodland Junior High playing the way we played. So somewhere between the two lies the truth."

Arkansas' players came out dressed in all red uniforms in honor of Broyles, who officially stepped down as the school's longtime athletic director on Monday. But it might be awhile before they go with the color scheme again.

Tuesday marked the second-worst bowl loss in Arkansas history, only behind a 42-8 defeat to Oklahoma in the 1987 Orange Bowl.

It was not how McFadden, who was held to only 105 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries, wanted to perhaps end his decorated collegiate career.

And it certainly wasn't how the Hogs wanted to end a season that had been filled with plenty of drama and eventually the resignation of former coach Houston Nutt.

"The bottom line, it just adds to more frustration and more disappointment because you let Coach Broyles down, you let Coach Nutt down, you let the people of Arkansas down, you let yourself down when you go out there and play like that," Campbell said. "And that's certainly not any fun."

The loss was so befuddling that it left Herring quoting both Dr. Seuss and Abbot and Costello during his postgame news conference.

The Razorbacks had costly mistakes in all phases of the game, including a pair of missed short field goals from the usually reliable Alex Tejada.

Arkansas' fans sat in silence after Missouri jumped out to a 28-0 lead after free safety William Moore stepped in front of a tipped pass intended for Peyton Hillis and returned the interception 26 yards for a touchdown with 7 minutes, 37 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

The fans started heading for the exit soon afterward, and by the time Temple scored his final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, most of the fans in the Arkansas section had left the stadium.

Even when the Razorbacks broke a big play, it was usually followed by a fumble, a penalty or another careless mistake -- sometimes on the same play.

"It was very frustrating to move the ball 20, 30 yard down the field, then cough it up like that, especially during clutch situations toward the end of the game," Hillis said. "We had our chances to come back and take the lead, and we didn't do it."

Early in the third quarter, Jones caught a screen pass and started running upfield. He had plenty of open space in front of him, but as he passed midfield, he had the ball stripped out of his hands.

The fumble negated a 41-yard gain that came at a time when Arkansas' offense couldn't get much going.

And it couldn't get much worse.

GAMEBREAKER

Why Missouri won:

Running back Tony Temple ran through gaping holes in Arkansas' defense, setting a Cotton Bowl record with 281 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Why Arkansas lost:

The Razorbacks' offense struggled to put points on the board. Two missed field goals and five turnovers resulted in one of Arkansas' worst offensive performances of the season.



Reader Comments (36 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.

texashogfan wrote on Jan 1, 2008 8:06 PM:

" Miserable, pathetic, embarassing, down right disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was not even a typical loss for the Hogs this was worse, a lot worse. I think I will give up sports. I can't take this kind of humility.

A disgruntled hog fan in san antonio, texas...

"

12247 wrote on Jan 1, 2008 9:08 PM:

" This might be the worst performance I have ever seen a Hog team put up. The players played sloppy and many times without effort. The coaching scheme, play calling and adjustments were horrible. Rumor is that the players didn't quit early last night and could have been tired for the game. That would explain why we looked so slow. This team is very lucky that they weren't playing a really great team, they would have been beaten by 50 to 60 points. "

southern hog wrote on Jan 1, 2008 9:26 PM:

" It's time for the Petrino party! After watching this game I bet Ole Miss is excited to know the coaching staff they've got coming. What a steal(?)I'm just glad Bobby P. is here and we can get on with being a real program. In time he will have us playing with a swagger. I'm ready. I even heard Ryan Mallett is getting ready to transfer in from Michigan. "

SoCal Hog wrote on Jan 1, 2008 10:24 PM:

" The Hogs were outplayed, outcoached, outhustled, outhit, outrun, and couldn't tackle. Mizzou had a great game plan on both sides of the ball, and it was hard to tell if the Razorbakcs were in the game mentally or emotionally. Maybe they partied too hard last night. But I think the main thing is that Mizzou was simply better--more talented, hungrier and better coached. "

pman777 wrote on Jan 1, 2008 10:38 PM:

" Mizzou's spread offense is tough to handle. Every team Mizzou played, except Oklahoma, had trouble with the spacing of Mizzou's offensive line. But then Oklahoma's defensive linemen aren't normal.

QB, Daniel actually had a poor game. That was probably due to an emphasis on coverage by Ark and partly because he injured the thumb on his throwing hand last Saturday. But the missed tackles and turnovers are pretty much the common refrane mentioned by Mizzou's opponents this year. "

mikehog wrote on Jan 1, 2008 11:17 PM:

" I wonder if Coach Broyles finally believes the spread offense can win in the SEC???

I look forward to a fresh start with a new coach that can put points on the board anywhere, anytime by passing when we want to, not when we have to! "

mumbles wrote on Jan 1, 2008 11:22 PM:

" You guys that wanted Herring to be head coach, what were you thinking? "

Hoggish1 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 7:07 AM:

" The Razorbacks must not be a SEC team because the Spead doesn't work in the SEC. 2008 is the start of Hogs in SEC. WPS "

Swinehunt wrote on Jan 2, 2008 7:55 AM:

" What we did learn is that Reggie is not ready to be a head coach. I would say this is a good starting point for Petrino[the bottom]. Let's all get behind the new regime and stop the bickering. When I saw the Hogs in the all red u-forms, I had a bad feeling, I can't explane. "

Old Hog Fan wrote on Jan 2, 2008 8:13 AM:

" Well, I hope our boys enjoyed New Years Eve. That seemed to be their only purpose for being in Dallas. But, we march on. I'm personally ready for the Ole Miss coaches and the Texas A&M coaches to go to their respective schools. Come to think of it, if they had made the Razorback look too good in the Cotton Bowl they would have had to recruit against that image. That's a dumb comment, I know, but I'm ready for the change. I'm also ready for the defensive coordinator from Mississippi State to come on board. "

hogfanintexas wrote on Jan 2, 2008 9:01 AM:

" I am have been watching this 1 dimensional team for too many years. Yesterday was embarrassing as a hogfan to watch. I am turning over to the dark side....Hook 'em Horns. "

NwaHogFan wrote on Jan 2, 2008 9:09 AM:

" LRHog...please go send some emails to ole miss (they have a top recruit at qb coming) and tell nutt to run run run "

BCR wrote on Jan 2, 2008 9:16 AM:

" The only game worth watching yesterday was Florida / Michigan. Arkansas was being coached by a defensive coordinator, not a head coach, and the top player's heads weren't in the game. I'm almost hoping D-Mac does go pro. It will take a lot of pressure off the team, and let them focus on developing other players. "

bj4hogs wrote on Jan 2, 2008 9:21 AM:

" These boys have been let down all year long and played like i! They have seen banners flown over, coaches who have deserted them, fans trashing them and their coaches, ESPN slamming our program...and they came out and played just like kids who had been let down. I wish they had played like men trying to prove something...but it didn't happen. We spent $450 to take our boys to this game and it was an embarrassment! I am very disappointed. Casey Dick was absolutely horrible and needed to be benched. He had receivers open all over the field and cannot find them. Pitiful! Let's get on to the Petrino era! "

sigpooie wrote on Jan 2, 2008 9:31 AM:

" See ya Broyles, That was a tribute to you. Oh and don't you look so good leaving the next staff with 30 million in debt, (just so you could get your name on a building) and thank you for making up the fact the the spread is a winning game plan. Your senior moments have cost us kids that could run it and a coach that knows it. SO please just go away. And next time you want your name on a building buy an 89 cent can of spray paint, not 30 million in debt. "

ponderblue1950 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 9:37 AM:

" sigpooie? What are you talking about. What 30 million debt. You need to explain some more. I haven't heard anything about this million dollar debt. What building are you talking about. Gee, you wouldn't make a good reporter, you need to give details man!! "

taos1350 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 10:16 AM:

" I heard a nasty rumor the players threw the game. Certainly cannot believe it. Herring and Lee were out coached by a very good team that executed their game plan. Turnovers and missed opportunities were the downfall for the Hogs. Please stop the complaining and get behind the players and new coaches. We will win bowl games under BP. Is our bowl record 2-12 in last 14 years? "

CO-Hog wrote on Jan 2, 2008 10:24 AM:

" Obviously, we are all upset about yesterdays pig roasting. All except for LRHog of course, who tries to make it sound as if HDN were there this never would have happened. Fact is it did happen. Most, if not all, of the coaches have been concerned about their futures, and Herring - well who knows what the truth about yesterdays loss will ever be (other than it was a devasting loss). We certainly didn't represent the SEC very well either - at Florida's loss was close. I had my doubts about D-Mac, Jones, and Hillis giving us 100% with the combines coming up - and can you really blame them? D-Mac was totally dissed by the likes of Mark May and others on ESPN in favor of a Sophomore from a more notable program. One thing is sure, it is over. Next year I believe Petrino will have this team ready to play big time ball, and in a couple of years there won't be many teams looking forward to playing Arkansas. I thought the loss, though unfortunate, was a telling end to the HDN era. "

CO-Hog wrote on Jan 2, 2008 10:28 AM:

" Don't know about players throwing the game toas, but just watching the game it sure didn't look like D-Mac was putting everything into his early runs at least. Bowl record for the past 14 years (1995-2008) is 2-6. "

Bama Hog wrote on Jan 2, 2008 10:35 AM:

" I bet Herring's phone is ringing off the hook this morning with Head Coaching offers. "

giants911 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 11:12 AM:

" Same old negative comments from the same people. Players throwing games ,etc. Teams that are in transition don't play well. Every bowl team with an interim coach filling in has lost. "

CO-Hog wrote on Jan 2, 2008 11:25 AM:

" Giants bobody came out and said players threw the game. Some people asked about it. Mostly the comments here are those of disappointment, and perhaps even disbelief, that we were beaten so bad. We'll get over it and next year will be a different story. "

BCR wrote on Jan 2, 2008 12:05 PM:

" bjhog nailed it. Not the kid's fault. They were abandoned by their coach, that has been led by the nose by an AD that hasn't coached a team since they wore leather helmets. Stubborn, poor coaching and bad leadership gave us the results we saw yesterday. The boys played poorly, but can you really blame them? Today's college football requires a full team effort on the part of the players, AND coaches. Having good players, and the best plays doesn't help if you don't have the coach staff to "orchestrate" the plays. Casey couldn't read the defense if they wore signs on their necks saying what they were going to do. Bottom line, get over it. Look at tomorrow, and support the players and the new staff. It will take a while to build, but the Hogs will be strong again. "

dfwhogfan1 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 12:26 PM:

" sigpooie...your an idiot!!! Broyles did not leave us with 30 million in debt. All of our facilities at this point in time are practicly paid for and debt free because of generous contributions from great fans and alumni unlike your knuckleheaded self!!!! The folks at Ole Miss came over a couple of years ago to look at our facilities and about fell over when they found out we were practically debt free and they were all built on donations...which they knew they could never do so don't be throwing out junk you have no clue about and throwing FB under the bus you knucklehead.
As for anyone blaming Reggie lets get serious...do any of us feel that with the coaches leaving that they were giving it 110% effort...I really don't think so. This is simply a tough spot to be in as a player and a fan because you have more than half the staff leaving. This is not all on Reggie and considering the situations (players possibly leaving, coaches leaving, FB's retiring etc) he was dealing with not at all surprising to me. All I can say is I am ready for a new beginning and a new era. Houston can have fun with David Lee and that horrible play calling. "

mumbles wrote on Jan 2, 2008 12:45 PM:

" Broyles said it himself.....he is staying on to assist the foundation in fundraising to offset the 30 million debt. Said it on national TV during the Cotton Bowl broadcast. "

Old Hog Fan wrote on Jan 2, 2008 12:47 PM:

" $30 million in debt for athletics at the U of A, according to Frank, puts us in ninth place in the SEC. Considering the nice facilities that we have, that sounds pretty good to me. Plus, he's sticking around in a fund raising capacity in order to help retire all that debt. Thank you Frank. You've been a tremendous asset to Arkansas. "

southern hog wrote on Jan 2, 2008 1:16 PM:

" I agree with Old Hog Fan. Frank Broyles has been a great benefit to the UA. He has done here what other places did with so much more from which to pull. He loves this university and we should appreciate his contributions. He may need to retire as AD but that doesn't diminish what he has done for us over the last 50 years. I say "thank you" as well. "

mumbles wrote on Jan 2, 2008 1:33 PM:

" dfwhogfan1: Who is the idiot now? "

NwaHogFan wrote on Jan 2, 2008 1:56 PM:

" Wow...didn't know you can run for so many yards out of a spread offense. To quote FB and his so-called experts (whoever they are) the spread offense won't work in the SEC (NC Florida). hmmm, but then he says on national tv how college football is changing so much and going to the spread offense...Duh...your a little late there FB. We (UofA) had a chance to be a great team and playing in a BCS Bowl game but blew it because of coaches & player egos and it showed in the Cotton Bowl. Why would DMac drive up in a 80k SUV? selfish? I think so and what do you think Jones & DMac could have done running out of the spread? But we had to run off a coach & players we needed to get us to that level of play PS(we still need a QB). Thanks HDN & FB "
"

giants911 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 2:28 PM:

" Simple: Our team didn't show up just like the other 7 teams in transition who played in bowl games and lost. It's ironic that the same folks are now blaming the players and even Frank for the poor performance. With everything these players have been through this year - Shame on those SO CALLED FANS who have written negative posts. If Petrino doesn't shore up recruiting this year, all of you will be miserable for the next couple of years. "

dfwhogfan1 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 2:34 PM:

" You mumbles...with your stupid comments about DMac on the other article. It is your god given right to feel this way but you are in the minority bigtime on this one about DMac.

If there is $30 million in debt than I was unaware of that because my understanding was that we were practically debt free and honestly, $30 million is not much considering the facilities that have been built and in place at the U of A. I still think sigpooies comments that it is Franks fault because he is leaving us $30 million are ridiculous. I apologize for the knuckleheaded comment but I stand by the fact that I think it is idiotic to blame FB's because of $30 million in debt. Seriously, how many major universities out there are debt free in the athletic department (especially if they have done a lot of renovations over the last several years), probably none. That has nothing to do with the issues of the football team and Mumbles you should know that...remember, you played division II football. "

mumbles wrote on Jan 2, 2008 3:28 PM:

" Yes, I know I am in the minority on D-Mac, not sure that makes me an idiot though. Just stating facts. He doesn't have the same body build as MOST of the better backs have. Most are built lower to the ground, with more weight in the thighs for power running and sprinting. D-Mac is built like a receiver, runs like one too. We'll just have to see if he is successful in the pros. "

mumbles wrote on Jan 2, 2008 3:40 PM:

" Oh, and about the $30 million....yeah it's no big deal, but it IS there. I think it is money that has been well spent though, our facilities are right up there with everyone else. Now that we have bought some high dollar coaching too, maybe we can play with the big boys. I'm really tired of hearing how Arkansas is so small and unable to recruit well. Look at Oklahoma, not much bigger than Arkansas and they have TWO major programs in-state. No reason we can't do what they do. "

mc wrote on Jan 2, 2008 4:57 PM:

" Ok,Ok, I hate to pick on certain players but......All I have heard for the last two weeks is that Dick, has "been good", "found his groove", blah, blah, blah. He is absolutely NO better than he was two years ago. Could not get out of the pocket and throw the ball away before getting sacked or hurried. He is lucky the defenders couldn't catch or it would have been three interceptions, at least. Please GOD, let Petrino find someone else to run our offense next year. Amen "

taos1350 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 7:31 PM:

" BP will place the best QB for his offense. Casey Dick would not even make the practice squad in BP system. Jim Youngblood or Tyler from Greenwood will start next year and be the future star for the Hogs!!! "

NwaHogFan wrote on Jan 3, 2008 7:29 AM:

" Wow...WV put it on Ok last night so much for the interim theory, the spread offense is looking good when you have the players to run it (FB may be on to something) better late than never. the next couple of years are going to be interesting. Go Hogs "


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