Troy University Athletics
Troy Ready To Face Hogs
9/1/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
LITTLE ROCK (AP) -Troy coach Larry Blakeney has figured out a way to deal with Darren McFadden.
``You try not to schedule a team that he's on,'' Blakeney said of the Arkansas star.
Too late.
The No. 21 Razorbacks open the season Saturday night against Troy, so McFadden is Blakeney's problem this week. The Arkansas running back rushed for 1,647 yards last season and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Now he's eager to start the encore.
``I'm just real happy this is game week,'' McFadden said. ``Going against the same people over and over - you get tired.''
Arkansas has reason to be tired of the offseason in general. The drama surrounding coach Houston Nutt has been well documented, and since the start of fall practice, the Hogs have lost a couple key players. Marcus Monk - the school's career leader in touchdown catches - is out with a knee injury, and defensive lineman Marcus Harrison was suspended indefinitely after being arrested last week on drug charges.
McFadden, though, is ready to play, and the Razorbacks can take solace in that. At this time last year, he was recovering from a toe injury and rushed for just 42 yards on nine carries in a 50-14 loss to Southern California in the 2006 opener.
This season, against different men of Troy, McFadden should have more of an impact.
``He's a Bo Jackson-type guy ... Herschel Walker,'' Blakeney said. ``He can do all the things that they could do.''
Toward the end of last season, McFadden lined up in the shotgun at quarterback on occasion. He could either pass, run or hand off to Felix Jones, Arkansas' other 1,000-yard rusher in 2006.
``He can actually throw the football to the people down the field on play-action stuff,'' Blakeney said. ``Just a nightmare for opposing coaches is what he is.''
David Lee replaced Gus Malzahn as the Razorbacks' offensive coordinator and is installing a pro-style passing scheme. Arkansas' passing faltered badly down the stretch last season as the Razorbacks lost three straight to finish 10-4.
Junior quarterback Casey Dick has appeared in 14 games at Arkansas, but this will be his first start in a season opener. Robert Johnson, who started the last two openers, is now a wide receiver. Mitch Mustain, who went 8-0 as a starter last season, transferred to Southern California after Malzahn - his high school coach - abruptly left the Razorbacks to join the staff at Tulsa.
After Malzahn and Mustain left, Nutt faced a firestorm from some fans and alumni that lasted seemingly for months. Now, he has a more conventional opponent to focus on - Troy, a Sun Belt Conference team that went 8-5 last year and routed Rice 41-17 in the New Orleans Bowl.
The Trojans have plenty of experience against BCS conference teams. In a three-week stretch last year, Troy played at Florida State, Georgia Tech and Nebraska. The Trojans lost all three games, but only Nebraska blew them out.
``They're not in awe of any stadium,'' Nutt said. ``The crowd doesn't bother them.''
Troy's offense features a pair of talented seniors - quarterback Omar Haugabook and running back Kenny Cattouse. Haugabook threw for 2,401 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, and Cattouse ran for 810 yards.
Troy's Gary Banks is also back after 68 catches for 603 yards and eight touchdowns in 2006.
``The offense they run - it's a spread offense,'' Arkansas cornerback Matterral Richardson said. ``It's multiple receivers. It's not what you're used to seeing.''
Haugabook is also dangerous with his feet. He rushed for five touchdowns in 2006.
``He's a playmaker. That gives them a chance,'' Nutt said. ``When you have that type of athleticism, it gives you a chance.''
Of course, on the topic of athleticism, the conversation often turns to McFadden. If the Trojans can't find a way to slow him down, it won't much matter what their offense does.
``You've got to tackle well. There's going to be some 1-on-1 opportunities,'' Blakeney said. ``Everybody's got responsibility on defense.''
