FAYETTEVILLE — Some unexpected folks will play a major role in Arkansas running back Darren McFadden's quest for the Heisman Trophy.

Mail carriers nationwide are being asked to distribute approximately 900 McFaddenrelated publicity packets to media members and sports information directors.

Arkansas' media relations department began shipping out packets Thursday. Shipments included a notepad featuring McFadden on the front cover.

In the notepad are noteworthy statistics for the junior Little Rock native and quotes from college football luminaries such as Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker.

It's all packaged with a key-chain Arkansas schedule featuring McFadden's likeness and a letter touting McFadden for being at the "forefront of college football by blending his tremendous athletic ability with unique versatility and a humble and unselfish attitude. The 2006 Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy runner-up is simply the complete package."

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Kevin Trainor, Arkansas' associate athletic director for external affairs, spent time Thursday signing hundreds of letters, which promote the Web site www.5darrenmcfadden.com and remind media members of a weekly teleconference featuring McFadden.

"This is meant to be an introduction to the voters, " Trainor said. "We want to create a season-long dialogue with them about Darren. This isn't heavy on statistics. There are some facts on the notebooks, but this is meant to get them a notepad, let them know about the Web site and let them know about the media opportunities that are available with him. This is just the beginning. We're setting the table."

McFadden opened the season last Saturday with 151 yards and 1 touchdown on 24 carries. He also threw a 42-yard touchdown pass and had 2 receptions for 30 yards in a 46-26 victory against Troy . Nutt unhappy There was no mystery in Coach Houston Nutt's feelings about practice Thursday.

Nutt lambasted his team in a post-practice news conference.

Nutt delivered his comments as players wrapped up extra running their coach doled out as punishment.

"That was disappointing today," Nutt said. "I thought our mind-set was horrible. I'm trying to make a real point right now. That's not how you practice. There is only one way you practice. You practice with a purpose — to get better. We got worse today. You can't do that."

Arkansas begins preparation for its SEC opener, Sept. 15 at Alabama, on Sunday, originally planned to be a light practice day.

Now the Razorbacks will dress in full pads and go through an extended session.

"We're in the toughest league in America and there is no way, no way you practice like that, " Nutt said. "I was hoping we'd have enough leadership and maturity that they would go hard for 12 periods."

Center Jonathan Luigs said players got the message. Preparing for the Crimson Tide is not something they can take lightly.

"We've got to get our minds right, " Luigs said. "It's a different level out there. We need to come back Sunday ready to work."

Seeing pink

Quarterback Casey Dick was held out of Thursday's practice because he is suffering from pinkeye.

Dick did not dress, but attended the workout. He sat on a wall lining the practice field during stretching exercises and played catch with backup Nathan Emert during warm-ups.

In Casey Dick's absence, Emert and Nathan Dick split the practice reps.

Nathan Dick, a freshman, is recovering from a hip flexor that kept him out of the season opener against Troy.

"Nathan Dick got a lot of reps today," Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said.