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Passing game still 'big concern' Published: Sunday, September 23, 2007 PRINT E-MAIL FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee was baffled and had no problem admitting it. Lee couldn’t begin to understand what the Razorbacks offense had just done. Posting 495 yards of total offense generally results in more than a single touchdown. There was plenty of movement. Arkansas just had nothing to show for it in the aftermath of a 42-29 loss to No. 21 Kentucky. “We were impotent,” Lee said. “The times we had to make plays, we couldn’t make plays. The times we had to have a passing game, we didn’t have a passing game. At the end when we had to run the ball, we couldn’t run the ball.”
Arkansas (1-3 ) again was particularly bad in the passing game. Quarterback Casey Dick completed 13 of 28 passes for 157 yards and no touchdowns with 2 interceptions. What made the Razorbacks ’ failure to score even more confounding was the production they got from the rushing game. Arkansas tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones combined for 306 yards rushing against a Kentucky defense that ranked among the league’s worst at defending on the ground. “We didn’t execute,” Jones said. “It’s as plain as that.” The lack of a threat from the passing game caught up with Arkansas in a big way. Dick acknowledged the passing game’s struggles cost the team. His two interceptions didn’t result in Kentucky scores, but they killed momentum. “You can put all that blame on me,” Dick said. “Put all that stuff on me if you want.” Injuries certainly didn’t help. Freshman Crosby Tuck caught 1 pass for 21 yards before leaving the game with a broken elbow. Senior Marcus Monk is continuing to rehab a knee injury and did not play, forcing little-used players into action. Arkansas’ other receivers showed little consistency. There were plays where receivers ran into each other, dropped passes and ran poor routes. Lee did not shy away from addressing the passing game as an issue. He felt better about things a week earlier against Alabama, but was disappointed in Saturday’s performance. “The big concern is our passing game right now,” Lee said. “That’s the thing we’ve got to look at next week. Hard. We can run the football.” Lack of a passing game was apparent in third-down situations. Arkansas converted 7 of 18 third-down opportunities. Those drives they didn’t extend typically resulted from failing to execute the passing game in obvious passing situations. “We’ve got to be able to throw it when everybody knows you’re going to throw it,” Lee said. “I thought we were over that hurdle. Obviously we’re not.” The direction things were headed became apparent in the first half. By halftime the Razorbacks had piled up 373 yards of offense, including 255 on the ground. Kentucky held Arkansas to field goals on two possessions, putting the Wildcats within striking distance at halftime. Kentucky trailed just 20-14 to start the third quarter. Arkansas was forced to punt on three drives and turned the ball over on two others. Dick killed a drive with an interception. Running back Michael Smith fumbled with the Razorbacks moving the football late in the first half. Kentucky returned the fumble for a touchdown, pulling within six at halftime. “It’s very frustrating,” fullback Peyton Hillis said. “We have to learn how to finish. We’re a good football team.” More Stories From: CHRIS BAHN Yesterday's Most Popular 1. HOG FUTURES JERRY MITCHELL : Hurricane brings Mitchell to Hogs 2. THE RECRUITING GUY : Purifoy's size fits into UA's plans 3. Iowa prep standout Kelly joins UA track 4. Former Diamond Hog Richards inks contract with Marlins Today's Most E-mailed |
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