Razorbacks report: Bowl plans, opponents, still up in air
WALLY HALL AND OTIS KIRKARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
The Arkansas Razorbacks will play in a bowl game, but which one remains to be seen.
"I was hoping you had an idea," Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said.
Going into Friday's game with LSU, it was possible that the Razorbacks would play in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1 against the Texas Longhorns.
That was probably sidelined, however, when Colorado knocked off Nebraska 62-36 Friday to earn a shot at Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.
If Oklahoma wins, Texas should get an at-large bid for the Bowl Championship Series.
Only three bowl representatives were at the Arkansas-LSU game -- those for the Cotton, Independence and Citrus bowls.
"Right now nothing is certain," said Charlie Fiss, media director for the Cotton Bowl. "There are too many games left to be played."
Last Saturday, the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., requested a seat at the Mississippi State-Arkansas game in Fayetteville but was a no show.
A source said the Independence Bowl wants Arkansas or LSU, but the Tigers' 41-38 victory may have elevated their bowl status.
The SEC could have nine teams eligible for bowl games.
Keeping eye on freshmen
Arkansas' continued use of freshmen could bolster the future of the program.
Numerous recruits have indicated they're interested in the Razorbacks because of the chance to play immediately. The Razorbacks have displayed some immediate use of true freshmen this season, with eight playing Friday against the Tigers and making numerous key plays.
Quarterback Matt Jones broke the freshman season rushing record for quarterbacks with 73 yards on 13 carries. For the season, Jones has 592 yards rushing on 74 carries. The previous record of 585 yards was set by Billy Moore in 1962. Jones also scored a touchdown Friday and passed for two others and 118 yards.
Jones is pleased to get the record but wasn't happy with the loss.
"That's great," Jones said of the record. "Someone said something to me about it before the game, I didn't even know how many [yards] I had to get. I would trade it all for a victory, but this team has great heart and you always have a chance to win with this team."
Jones' 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was the 23rd rushing touchdown of the season for the Razorbacks, who lead the SEC in that category. Entering the game, the Razorbacks were tied with South Carolina at 22. Jones' 61-yard touchdown pass to Sparky Hamilton ties the longest pass play of the year for Arkansas and is the longest scoring pass play of the year. Jones and Hamilton connected on a 61-yard completion against Mississippi State last Saturday in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The other true freshmen playing Friday were nose guard Arrion Dixon, cornerback Ahmad Carroll, outside linebacker Jeb Huckeba, running back DeCori Birmingham, fullback Mark Pierce, kicker David Carlton and offensive tackle Shawn Andrews.
Carroll had an interception, six tackles (three unassisted) and a pass deflection. Huckeba had four tackles. Birmingham rushed for 17 yards on 4 carries, caught 2 passes for 22 yards and returned 4 kickoffs for 116 yards. Pierce rushed for 12 yards on three carries. Carlton's kickoffs were deep all day and forced the Tigers to start deep in its territory.
Huckeba said he feels the Razorbacks made good progress this season despite Friday's 41-38 loss.
"We said this week we were going to get four turnovers," Huckeba said. "We said that would be enough to win. Everybody played awesome, it just didn't go our way. We got five turnovers, but LSU played great. I wouldn't want to be in that other locker room. Everybody on this team loves each other, and I'm proud to be a part of it. Who can come back from 1-3 to 7-4 and competing for the SEC championship? We have a great foundation on this team."
Wilson gets record and more
Redshirt freshman wide receiver George Wilson broke the freshman season receiving record when he caught a 23-yard pass from Zak Clark on Arkansas' first possession. Wilson's grab was his 34th of the season, bettering the 33 by Richard Smith just last season.
"Coming into the game, I wasn't even concerned with the record," Wilson said. "If I was going to get it, I wanted to do it within the game plan. It's a great honor to go after records great guys like Richard Smith and Anthony Lucas have set. More than anything, I would rather have the win than the record."
Wilson went on to catch seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Tigers, giving him 40 catches for the season.
Reed catches records, too
Arkansas' players weren't the only ones breaking records. LSU wide receiver Josh Reed also set a couple of records with his performance against the Hogs.
On a 33-yard reception in the second quarter, Reed set the SEC record for receiving yards in a season, passing the 1,357 by Travis McGriff of Florida in 1998. The reception gave Reed 1,383 yards, and he finished the game with 1,494 yards.
With his 183 yards against Arkansas, Reed broke the LSU career receiving record. His 2,755 total tops the 2,708 by Wendell Davis (1984-87). The record was broken on a 22-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
Jackson making good returns
Marvin Jackson's two punt returns for 26 yards against LSU gave him 265 yards on 28 returns this year.
The yardage total is the most for a Razorback since Orlando Watters had 290 yards on 36 returns in 1992. Last year, Arkansas had 193 yards on 32 returns.
Injuries minimal for Hogs
Strong safety Jimarr Gallon suffered a bruised thigh against LSU, but isn't expected to miss much, if any, practice time for a bowl.
Cornerback Eddie Jackson was slightly injured in the first quarter and was assisted from the field only to return on the next series.
This article was published on November 24, 2001
Copyright and permissions
Copyright © 2001, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.