Flu doesn’t stop Hogs ’ top players

FAYETTEVILLE — It has become apparent that Arkansas will get big plays from its tailback tandem of Felix Jones and Darren McFadden, no matter what.

Both McFadden and Jones struggled with flulike symptoms before and during the Razorbacks’ 42-29 loss to Kentucky. Despite that, and a Kentucky defense geared to stop them, they showed their toughness in combining for 449 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

Jones and McFadden both threw up in the first half, team officials said. McFadden was led off the field and into the locker room before halftime to receive fluids intravenously after a 56-yard run for a touchdown.

“I just lost some fluids, so I had to take a trip to the locker room to restock,” McFadden said. “Long runs had something to do with it. I began feeling bad soon after that.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Arkansas fans were feeling queasy while awaiting word on a fourth-quarter flag that was thrown by officials midway through Jones’ 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Kentucky was flagged for an illegal block, a penalty marked off on the ensuing kickoff.

When word of the Wildcats’ penalty was relayed to the crowd of 74, 015, they erupted in cheer, rejoicing the fact that Arkansas had just taken a 29-21 lead. Jones tied an SEC record for kickoff return touchdowns on the play, which came with 11: 40 left in the game.

Jones now has four kickoff returns for touchdowns, a mark he shares with Tennessee’s Willie Gault.

Center Jonathan Luigs was even more impressed than usual with McFadden and Jones. McFadden carried 29 times for 173 yards, while Jones rushed 12 times for 133.

It was the sixth time McFadden and Jones have recorded 100-yard rushing efforts in the same game.

“That’s the character of those two,” Luigs said. “They’re the horses on this team.” Bledsoe’s back

Remember Fred Bledsoe ?

Bledsoe, a highly touted recruit from Little Rock Central, made the first start of his career Saturday against Kentucky. He had three tackles against the Wildcats and helped as Arkansas forced a safety with 11: 51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Arkansas went up 22-21 but could not hold its lead.

Until this year, Bledsoe looked as if he would never live up to expectations. He played a handful of snaps in one game last season but entered Saturday’s game with 47 plays to his credit, including 25 against Alabama.

Bledsoe was starting Saturday in place of Ernest Mitchell, who was suspended for one game after hitting Alabama offensive lineman Justin Britt in the head with Britt’s helmet last week. Whatever the reason, Bledsoe was glad to be on the field.

It was bittersweet for Bledsoe with Arkansas ultimately losing.

“This was a chance to show the critics I can help this team, Bledsoe said. “ I want to contribute. I don’t want to keep sitting on the sidelines.” Extra coach ?

An ESPN 2 cameraman panning the Arkansas coaches’ box during the second half spotted former running backs coach Danny Nutt wearing a headset.

Nutt, who resigned in July for health reasons, was also on the field before the game, but was not dressed in coaching attire like he was for the Razorbacks’ season opener against Troy. Nutt also watched that game from the home coaches’ section on the third floor of the Reynolds Razorback Stadium press box. He was outfitted in a white coach’s polo shirt and black dress slacks for that game.

Arkansas still has Nutt on the payroll. He is drawing his salary of $ 175, 000 but has no defined duties. Nice leg

Razorbacks freshman placekicker Alex Tejada hit two field goals to remain perfect in seven attempts this season. He’s hit a field goal in each of the team’s first three games.

Arkansas hit only six field goals in 14 games last season.

Tejada increased his total with 11: 05 remaining in the second quarter, connecting from 20 yards. He hit a 40-yarder in the first quarter. Darren McCaptain

Junior All-America running back Darren McFadden joined teammates at midfield for the pregame coin toss. McFadden bucked tradition by going to midfield, an honor typically reserved for seniors.

McFadden still has a year of eligibility remaining but is not expected to return for his final season. He is projected by some as the top pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

The other game captains were Kevin Woods, Weston Dacus and injured wide receiver Marcus Monk. Record-breaker

It didn’t look like much, but a second-quarter incompletion thrown by Kentucky quarterback Andre ’ Woodson was significant.

Woodson threw out of bounds to break an NCAA record with his 272 nd consecutive pass attempt without an interception. That streak nearly ended one play later when Arkansas safety Kevin Woods just missed an errant Woodson pass.

Kentucky rallied for a fourthquarter comeback behind Woodson, who completed 21 of 39 passes for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran 4 yards for a touchdown.

His streak without an interception is at 296. Did you notice ?

Wide receiver London Crawford filled in on kick returns for Darren McFadden, who missed portions of the first and second halves with what was described as “heat exhaustion.” Crawford did not record a return.

Razorbacks wide receiver Marcus Monk did not dress for the game, but he joined the team’s game captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss. Monk has undergone two knee surgeries since Aug. 9, and it is unknown when he will return.

Freshman D. J. Williams started at tight end for the Razorbacks. He picked up 24 yards on a pass from Casey Dick on the first play of the game. Williams did not have a catch the rest of the game.

Versatile Arkansas offensive lineman Robert Felton shifted to center when All-American Jonathan Luigs left for a play in the first quarter. Thumbs up

To Wildcats’ weakside linebacker Wesley Woodyard. He was all over the field Saturday and finished with 17 tackles, including 12 unassisted.

To the eight Arkansas students on the first row of section 116. They each had a letter in M-c-F-a-d-d-e-n across their chests, showing support for the Razorbacks’ Heisman Trophy hopeful. Thumbs down

To Arkansas linebacker Ryan Powers for two costly penalties. He was flagged for roughing the kicker and a late hit that aided Kentucky’s rally.

To all those empty yards the Razorbacks piled up in the first half. Arkansas had 373 yards but only one touchdown to show for it.

To Arkansas coaches. They should have let freshman placekicker Alex Tejada attempt a 52-yard field goal — with the wind — in the second quarter. He’s got the leg. His 40-yarder earlier in the game would have been good by another 10 yards and was kicked into the wind.

To the Razorbacks’ passing game. Arkansas again put up more than enough rushing yards but couldn’t convert through the air consistently.