McFadden, Monk set UA records

Neither player really wanted to talk about it, and immediately after the game, it was apparent that it mattered little to Darren McFadden and Marcus Monk.

But McFadden and Monk set some rather significant records in a 31-26 loss to LSU on Friday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

With 182 rushing yards, Mc-Fadden became Arkansas’ alltime single-season rushing leader with 1, 485 yards. McFadden surpassed Madre Hill’s mark of 1, 387 yards, set in the 1995 season.

Still, it took two attempts to get McFadden to even talk about the record after the game.

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“It’s a great feeling. I couldn’t do it without my offensive line,” he said. “We’ve been trying to run the ball, and we did a good job at it today.”

Even though Monk only caught one pass, it was a big one. Monk’s 21-yard touchdown reception tied him with Anthony Lucas for both the single-season and career touchdown record.

Monk and Lucas now each have 10-touchdown seasons (Lucas’ came in 1998 ) and Monk tied Lucas’ career total of 23 touchdowns.

But Monk said he wants to wait until after a bowl victory to reflect.

“It really doesn’t mean that much to me right now,” he said. “I’m not worried about statistics or nothing. Maybe after this season, but right now you just worry about moving on and getting this [loss ] out of your mind.” Bad timing

Arkansas hadn’t allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown since 2000, and LSU hadn’t had one since 1998.

Both streaks ended with Trindon Holliday’s 92-yard return for the Tigers in the fourth quarter, which provided the winning margin for LSU.

Making the return even more improbable is the fact that the Tigers were last in the SEC — and 116 th out of 119 Division I-A teams — in kickoff returns. LSU came in averaging only 16. 3 yards per return, which will clearly im-Big push

LSU seemingly set the tone for the second half with its first series after halftime.

Behind a big push from the Tigers’ offensive line, which includes Stuttgart native Brett Helms at center, LSU ate up lots of clock and yardage. LSU pushed its lead to 17-12 on a 70-yard, 15-play drive that took 7: 36.

Though the Tigers didn’t get the touchdown Coach Les Miles would have liked, Colt David’s 27-yard field goal kept LSU in control.

LSU had the football for 33: 32, Arkansas 26: 28.

“We used the clock and ran the football,” Miles said. “We knew we could do certain things.” Howard in hiding

Note to National League MVP Ryan Howard: A press box probably isn’t the best place to go when looking to avoid attention

Less than a week after earning the award as a second-year major league baseball player, Howard attended Friday’s football game with his brother Chris, LSU’s associate athletic director for compliance. Howard politely declined interview requests, but didn’t turn down the pregame spread of barbecue and nachos.

“I’m just here as a fan,” said Howard, who led the major leagues with 58 home runs and 149 RBI. “It’s not about me. It’s about the football game.” Bowling

The Arkansas-LSU game drew plenty of bowl attention, for obvious reasons.

Two representatives from the Capital One, Orange and Sugar bowls watched from the War Memorial Stadium press box, and the Fiesta and Cotton bowls also sent a representative.

At halftime, representatives from the Fiesta and Sugar said they had plenty of interest in Arkansas. That interest likely waned by the end of the game, however.

The Capital One and Cotton bowls certainly have their sights on Arkansas now. Did you notice ? There were a good number of yellow-clad LSU fans sprinkled among the crowd, just not as many as it appeared. War Memorial ushers were outfitted in yellow vests and stuck out, along with Tigers fans, among a sea of mostly red and white. Arkansas lost the pregame coin toss for the second time this year. Ole Miss was the only other team to win the toss against the Razorbacks. Coincidentally, Arkansas’ coin toss record, 10-2, matches its won-lost output this season.

Arkansas became the first team this season to score against the Tigers on an opening series. LSU surrendered a six-play, 80-yard drive as it fell behind 6-0 with 12: 30 remaining in the first quarter. Former Arkansas quarterback Robert Johnson caught a 28-yard pass from tailback Darren Mc-Fadden. It was the third career reception and second this season for Johnson, now a wide receiver.

Arkansas linebacker Matt Hewitt started against the Tigers after missing the second half of last week’s game against Mississippi State with a strained knee. Hewitt wasn’t at full strength, finishing with two tackles. Thumbs up To Friday’s kickoff conditions of 72 degrees and sunny. It’s hard to remember better weather for a late November kickoff. To Arkansas receiver Reggie Fish — all 5-7, 156 pounds of him — blocking on Darren McFadden’s 30-yard run in the second quarter. McFadden’s run set up a touchdown to set the halftime score at 14-12 in LSU’s favor. To LSU for its 18 th consecutive game with a sack. To LSU quarterback Jamarcus Russell, who didn’t let Arkansas’ defensive pressure get to him as he completed 14 of 22 passes for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. He overcame two sacks and two fumbles.

To the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and the Southeast Arkansas Delta Razorback Club for sponsoring 25 students from Dumas, who attended their first Razorbacks game. Thumbs down

To Arkansas for missing an extra-point attempt in the first quarter. A poor snap led to Jeremy Davis missing an extra-point attempt for just the second time this season and started the Razorbacks off on the wrong foot.

To Arkansas’ passing game, which netted 62 yards, 28 of which came on a pass from running back Darren McFadden.

To Arkansas defensive back Matteral Richardson for running 20 yards with the ball after a third-quarter play was whistled dead, then throwing the ball to the ground instead of returning it to officials. To whoever is taking care of “The Golden Boot” down in Baton Rouge. It looked more copper-colored than gold. Play it again

LSU Coach Les Miles must be a glutton for punishment.

Miles twice asked for replay officials to review sure-fire fumbles against the Tigers. Both plays stood as called on the field after reviews that seemed to last forever.

Arkansas defensive lineman Marcus Harrison forced and recovered one turnover in the second quarter, while safety Jerrell Norton forced and recovered the other late in the third.

In addition to losing the ball, the Tigers lost a pair of timeouts. LSU burned its final timeout with 11: 44 remaining in a tight game.

Neither the turnovers nor the lack of timeouts fazed the Tigers in the end.