When Arkansas’ defense came out for its shot Saturday at making a 7-6 lead stand up, they were exhausted.

The defense, which played better than it had all season, had already been on the field 34: 21.

Not a single player has mentioned that fact and won’t, but it took Auburn just 1: 15 to drive 50 yards and set up the game-winning field goal.

After the game, Reggie Herring, the defensive coordinator, did not make any excuses.

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He manned up.

He took the blame for the loss.

He did not one time say anything about the lack of a Razorbacks passing game forcing his players to be on the field that much.

Saturday night, Arkansas was not one-dimensional. The Razorbacks were no-dimensional.

The Tigers shut down an ailing Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, who averaged 7 yards a carry but had his number called only six times.

Actually, Auburn’s defense might have had more problems with the power and speed of Peyton Hillis, but he got no carries.

McFadden, who would play on one leg if had to, needed to have sat out the Tennessee-Chattanooga game to let his bruised ribs heal.

Instead, he ran up the middle time and time again and got the ribs banged up even more.

Against Chattanooga and Auburn, he was not the same running back.

Because he played instead of getting well — and there is no doubt it was his decision, but he could have been held out anyway — he seriously hurt his Heisman Trophy chances against Auburn.

McFadden carried 17 times for 43 yards, or 2. 5 yards per carry.

That does not impress Heisman voters.

That doesn’t mean it is over for McFadden and the Heisman. If he gets well and gets back on track, he still has a viable chance at winning college football’s most prestigious award.

Of course, it would help if a passing game was developed, which is being promised again, halfway through this season.

Understand, passing games are developed, which means they have to be practiced.

Maybe not as much as run practice, but obviously more than it is being practiced right now.

And don’t blame Casey Dick. Last season, it was obvious his and Mitch Mustain’s passing regressed as the season progressed, but that was from a lack of passing practice, not talent or desire.

Yes, it is a valid argument that the Hogs should practice the run more because they are a run-oriented team, but it also seems McFadden and Jones are good enough and have been in the system long enough to have already developed a passing game in practice.

It is also a valid argument that the Hogs miss receiver Marcus Monk — and for the record, it was not in his best interest for him to be in for one play Saturday — but there are other receivers on the team who are fast and have good hands.

The bottom line is that once again the fans are being promised an improved passing game, but it may be too late.

The Razorbacks are basically running the same offense they have run for the 10 th season.

Every team the Razorbacks have faced this season has gone after McFadden the way Jesse James did the train.

They could because there is no passing attack.

That is not only hurting him but forcing the defense to be on the field too much.

Saturday, Arkansas’ offense earned a mere 10 first downs (and one by penalty that helped lead it to its only touchdown ).

They were on the field 24: 07 because they were not moving the ball.

In August, fans were told third downs were not going to be a problem, but against Auburn, Arkansas converted 3 of 13.

The Tigers converted 1 of 13, but they were getting more yards on first and second downs than Arkansas, and that kept the Razorbacks’ defense on the field way too long.