FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coaches and players insisted the Razorbacks still had control of Saturday night’s game with Kentucky. They came to the defense of third-string tailback Michael Smith, whose fumble late in the first half allowed the Wildcats to get back in the game.

That mistake didn’t get them down or steal the momentum the Razorbacks had built in the first half, players and coaches said.

Hogwash, was Smith’s response.

One of the Razorbacks ’ smallest players stood tall after his crucial error in Arkansas ’ loss, shouldering plenty of responsibility for Arkansas blowing a 20-7 lead.

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The Razorbacks had the lead and seemed to be driving for more points when Smith, who according to offensive coordinator David Lee was in the game only because Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were suffering the effects of a stomach virus, took a first-down handoff at the Kentucky 35-yard line with 26 seconds left in the first half.

Smith fumbled, and it was returned 66 yards for a touchdown by Kentucky’s Trevard Lindley.

“The coaches preach ball security, and the first time you slip it’s going to happen to you,” said Smith, 5-7, 175. “I didn’t have the ball secured, and it’s all on me. I wasn’t on the ground; it was a clear-cut fumble.

“ I really think that that was what gave Kentucky the momentum. I just hate that it happened to me.”

Arkansas still had the lead, but just like that Kentucky had taken hold of the reins of the game.

“Most definitely,” Smith said. “[Before the fumble ] it wasn’t a game anymore, it was the makings of a blowout, and with that one touchdown they turned it all the way back around. It gave them all the momentum back, and on the opening drive [of the third quarter ] they came down and scored.

“ It’s a heartbreaker. We have to see who wants it deep down inside, and that includes me. I have to come back and make sure I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing.”

Smith’s teammates weren’t nearly as harsh.

“We weren’t mad or anything at all,” quarterback Casey Dick said. “We knew we had given up some points and we had to come out [in the third quarter ] and score some more. We let some get away, but we still have to be able to score [after the momentum changes ]. In the third quarter we were fine. Everyone was fine.”

Players said no one was dejected in the locker room at halftime.

The Razorbacks still came out flat in the third quarter.

Kentucky went 80 yards in 11 plays to score on the opening possession of the third quarter and take the lead at 21-20.

“It’s very disheartening, but we’re still up six points and we should have responded differently in the second half,” Razorbacks fullback Peyton Hillis said.

Arkansas eventually took the lead in the fourth quarter before another late collapse led to a loss.

“[Smith’s fumble ] was a gigantic thing to overcome, but we overcame it,” Lee said. “We got back ahead in the second half, but I never thought we were in total control. It was always an uphill battle.”

Arkansas knows firsthand how much of a boost a defensive score can give a team. In the first quarter, after a hit from Malcolm Sheppard, Antwain Robinson returned a fumble by Kentucky quarterback Andre ’ Woodson 16 yards for a touchdown.

“That lifted our defense up and gave us more emotions about the game,” Robinson said. “It boosted the whole team, but they got a big lift off Mike Smith’s fumble. I still don’t think it was deflation in the locker room at halftime. I just think we made some mistakes, but we were all right.”

Maybe some players more than others.

“It’s very disappointing,” Smith said. “Sometimes if you don’t step up and look deep inside you, it can get discouraging. We’re going to see this week who really wants to be a part of this team.”