Football
Associated Press 18y

Arkansas coach says Razorbacks will move on after RB injured

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas coach Houston Nutt heard the
news shortly before dawn, when he received a text message from
Darren McFadden.

"I thought it was a prank," Nutt said. "I was hoping it was a
prank."

Nutt's early wake-up call Saturday was no joke, of course.
McFadden, Arkansas' top running back and the 2005 SEC freshman of
the year, had dislocated his toe. A police report says he was
involved in a fight outside a Little Rock club early that morning.

Nutt talked about McFadden on Monday while hosting a golf
tournament in Fayetteville. He said McFadden is despondent over the
injury.

"He's devastated," Nutt said. "I think it's sunken in that
it's just a terrible, terrible thing."

Players report for preseason camp Thursday and practice begins
Saturday. Arkansas has said McFadden is doubtful for the team's
season opener against Southern California on Sept. 2, and trainer
Dean Weber didn't waver from that assessment Monday.

"I think we'll know more in about two or three weeks," Weber
said.

Several other coaches were on hand Monday, including defensive
coordinator Reggie Herring. He said having USC in the season opener
has helped his team maintain its focus during the offseason.

The Trojans beat Arkansas 70-17 last year.

"The bottom line is, Southern Cal was probably the most
humiliating night for me as a coach and possibly for Arkansas as a
program," Herring said. "Thank God, in this game you've got a
chance to right a wrong."

McFadden was named first-team all-SEC last year after rushing
for 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the seventh freshman in
Southeastern Conference history to run for 1,000 yards.

In his absence, running backs Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis will
have more opportunities. Jones rushed for 626 yards last year as a
freshman, and Hillis added 315.

Michael Smith, a 5-foot-7 redshirt freshman, will also compete
for carries.

"The one thing that I think all the fans know is that it's not
a one-man team," Nutt said.

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