November 10, 2004

Important Day For Hogs and Rebels

When the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-5, 1-4) host the Ole Miss Rebels (3-5, 2-3) this Saturday (November 13, 2004), there will be many sad eyes in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium as 13 Arkansas Seniors will play their final game in Fayetteville.

Among these Seniors is Arkansas’ star quarterback, Matt Jones. For three and a half years, Jones has been the face of the Razorback football program. He was elevated to hero status instantly in 2001 when he entered the game as a Freshman and led the Hogs to a 58-56 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels in 7 overtimes, the longest game in college football history. But that wasn’t the only accolade that Jones would notch under his belt. He continued electrifying crowds and putting fear into every opponent the Hogs played. Among his heroic achievements: a miraculous last-second touchdown pass in 2002 that beat LSU and sent the Hogs to the SEC Championship Game, a 38-28 victory over longtime Southwestern Conference rival Texas in Austin, and another 7 overtime victory against the Kentucky Wildcats in 2003.

But for all of his past success, this year has been very different for the man warmly called “MJ” by his fans. The Arkansas quarterback has managed only 11 touchdown passes against 9 interceptions, and has 4 rushing touchdowns against 2 lost fumbles. Several of these turnovers have come at a costly time. In a 22-20 home loss to Texas, there were turnovers on the final three series, including a fumble at the Longhorns’ 13. There were interceptions on the last two possessions in a 45-30 loss at Florida, including one when Arkansas was within 38-30 and had possession at its 40. And most recently there was the interception in a 35-32 loss at South Carolina with 47 seconds left when the Razorbacks had first down at the Gamecocks’ 46.

The Razorback defense has not put Matt Jones in a very easy position this year, leaving the pressure on him to create a miracle almost every game. Some fans blame the defense and claim that their star quarterback can’t possibly be asked to do everything. Others are critical of his judgment and are left wondering why they see no improvement in decision-making when games are on the line.

However, one two things are true for certain. There will be sad eyes in Fayetteville on Saturday as the fans say goodbye to “MJ” and other beloved players like defensive end Jeb Huckeba. And if the Razorbacks lose to the Rebels, and suffer their first losing season and first without a bowl game under head coach Houston Nutt, the tears may not dry quickly. There is much on the line in Hogville.

Posted by Aaron White

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1. LOOK AHEAD says:

   posted on November 28, 2004 01:02 PM — link

   Is Nutt an SEC-caliber coach? I think not. He had great success his first year at UA, but the novelty is gone. Coaches around the league have figured out his schemes, and it shows.

   Arkansas will never reach the upper echelon of the SEC with 3+ losses year after year. They won't even make a meaningless bowl game this year. In previous years, we could at least count on that.

   I think Broyles hired Nutt because was a small-time coach who would not outshine Broyles like Holtz did. Nutt is not even as good as Hatfield, who was a solid ball coach and who left because of problems he had with Broyles (think back to his Sports Illustrated comments after his departure).

   Broyles' need to be the man on the hill overrides his direction of the athletic program. The real reason Nolan had to go is he had gotten big by winning a national title and making the final the following year. Broyles waited until Nolan was down and kicked him out. Who honestly believes that Nolan was fired for saying that his players came to Arkansas to play for him instead of coming to play for U of A? He simply stated the obvious. Any coach with a tradition of winning could rigthfully say the same. If Coach K were at UTEP, he would still get blue chippers.

   Many of you will disagree with me. That's fine. I have one question, though. Why didn't Broyles ever try to get Jimmy Johnson or Barry Switzer on the hill? They were both proven winners and Arkansas boys. The answer is obvious, but I'll spell it out: They were too big, and Broyles ALWAYS has to be the big man on the hill.

   It's time to cut the losses. Broyles and Nutt must go. It may be too late for Switzer or Johnson, but Petrino is still available.