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Fullback huge for Hogs Published: Saturday, November 24, 2007 PRINT E-MAIL BATON ROUGE — While his more highly publicized teammate was doing a cannonball as his splash back into the Heisman Trophy pool, Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis had the most smashing performance of his college career in his final regularseason game. Hillis scored four times, including the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime, to help the Razorbacks shock No. 1 LSU 50-48 on Friday. “If I never play another football game the rest of my life, this is the way to go out,” said Hillis, who scored two touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Hillis will have at least two more games as a collegian: the Razorbacks’ bowl destination, which could now be the Cotton Bowl, and in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 26.
Hillis had 151 all-purpose yards, including a 65-yard burst over the left side on a WildHog handoff, a touchdown that put Arkansas ahead 21-14 in the third quarter. “It was something I guess nobody expected, not even myself,” Hillis said of the 65-yard run. “I’m just glad I had speed enough to get it home.” Hillis shared a huge bear hug with Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt during the wild postgame celebration. “He’s phenomenal,” Nutt said. “And I wish you could see him on the sidelines. I wish you could hear the words. What a leader, what a captain he was today.” Hillis had just 19 all-purpose yards at halftime, when Arkansas led 7-6. But like his team, the senior from Conway careened out of control in the second half, shredding an LSU defense that ranked No. 4 nationally against the rush and No. 2 nationally in total defense. “That was my Super Bowl,” Hillis said. “That was my national championship.” Hillis snuck out of the slot on another WildHog play and made a shoestring catch on a 24-yard throw from McFadden with 5: 06 left to play to give the Hogs a 28-21 lead and the hope they could win in regulation. “I seen him so wide open and I was trying not to overthrow him and I almost underthrew him,” McFadden said. “Peyton Hillis is a great player. He speaks for himself when he’s out there on the field.” Hillis had a third-and-10 pass trickle off his fingertips on and out-and-up route near the goal line on Arkansas’ first possession in overtime. He got sweet redemption moments later by safely latching on to a 13-yard throw on the sideline on fourth down. He beat linebacker Ali Highsmith three plays later, running a wheel route on which Casey Dick gently feathered in a 10-yard touchdown pass. “We ran the play previously and I missed it,” Hillis said. “Coach Nutt, then again, had the faith in me to call the play again three plays later and we converted.” Hillis also stormed in with Arkansas’ final touchdown, a 3-yard smash up the middle. “I did what I had to do,” Hillis said. “I was very appreciative. They put me in positions where I had to make the play and I did.” Yesterday's Most Popular 1. Serving notice : Razorbacks drop Texas for second top-10 upset in a week 2. LIKE IT IS : Ugly game a thing of beauty to Arkansas fans 3. In the Lane 4. ARKANSAS 67, NO. 7 TEXAS 61 : Another UA power play 5. Fortson, Washington bounce back from first-half blues to propel Hogs Yesterday's Most E-mailed 1. Serving notice : Razorbacks drop Texas for second top-10 upset in a week 2. LIKE IT IS : Ugly game a thing of beauty to Arkansas fans 3. ARKANSAS 67, NO. 7 TEXAS 61 : Another UA power play 4. Fortson, Washington bounce back from first-half blues to propel Hogs 5. In the Lane |
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