LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt denied media reports that he will not return for an 11 th season next year and criticized what he termed “foolish” rumors after the Razorbacks’ 45-31 victory over Mississippi State.

Nutt’s job status was apparently the biggest news story of the afternoon at War Memorial Stadium, as it drew many more questions than the Razorbacks’ critical seventh victory of the season.

Nutt refuted a report on ESPN. com that said he would not be retained after the season.

“I’m sure they just got it from y’all,” Nutt said, referring to intense speculation within the state on Friday about his tenure. “It wasn’t true yesterday, and it’s not true today.

“ I haven’t talked to one athletic director except for Coach [Frank ] Broyles, and Chancellor [John ] White. So, to make statements like that and try to disrupt your team and create all these stories, how foolish. It’s not right. I felt sorry for our team because everybody’s asking them what’s going on, is it true and, you know, it’s just a bad deal.”

Arkansas officials, including UA System President B. Alan Sugg, White and incoming Athletic Director Jeff Long all stressed this week that any evaluation of Nutt will take place after the season ends.

Nutt was also asked to respond to on-air comments from ESPN’s Mark May, who cited unnamed sources while saying he thought Nutt would not return.

“That’s amazing, it’s amazing he would make a statement like that when he doesn’t know,” Nutt said. “He must be listening to what somebody else said yesterday.

“ He doesn’t know, unless he’s talked to Jeff Long. I don’t know how somebody can get on the air and make a statement like that, use the incredible word, my ‘source.’ Unbelievable.”

A parade of Arkansas players claimed they rallied around the drama surrounding Nutt.

“For Coach Nutt, especially with the things that are going on, we just really wanted to come out here and do it for him,” senior defensive tackle Marcus Harrison said.

“I believe it pulled us together for this one,” senior receiver Marcus Monk said.

Senior lineman Robert Felton chastised the fans who have turned on Nutt.

“I came to this school because it is a family atmosphere, and I thought all the fans were behind this team,” Felton said. “Not all of them, but a lot of fans are trying to divide us right now. I can’t believe that.

“ When you want him gone, that’s kicking us in the face. I can’t believe somebody would say that or start any kind of rumors like that.”

Mississippi State Coach Sylvester Croom opened his postgame remarks by congratulating Nutt and the Razorbacks.

“Houston did a good job of getting his team ready, and they did a good job responding with all the media [reports ] surrounding them this week,” Croom said. “That was an outstanding job of having his team ready.”

Nutt and Arkansas officials disputed television and Internet reports that Nutt would resign after Arkansas’ regular season finale against LSU.

“We knew all that stuff earlier, before the game, we knew that was c ***,” senior linebacker Weston Dacus said. “He reassured us that he’s going to tell us if anything’s going to go down and not listen to anything that’s been going on for a solid year now, things getting stirred up.”

Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick, who threw a career-high four touchdown passes, said the overnight rumors did not affect the team.

“It probably gave us some motivation, if people wanted to start talking about stuff that’s not true, that’s not happening, for whatever reason,” Dick said.

“You’ve got to go out and play for one another, those guys in the locker room, first and foremost,” Arkansas cornerbacks coach Bobby Allen said. “But the credit’s got to go to Houston Nutt, plain and simple. You have to give him credit for keeping this team together for everything that has gone on the last year and a half.”