FAYETTEVILLE — Here’s how well the Razorbacks played and howcontroversial the officiating was in last Saturday’s Arkansas-Florida game.

The Monday of Ole Miss week with the Razorbacks’ second annual battle loomingSaturday in Oxford, Miss., against former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, the majority of press conference questions centeredon last Saturday.

Unthinkable that would occur given the statewide emotion about the Hogs versus their old coach, but then, who would have though that the unranked Razorbacks (3-3, 1-3 SEC) would take the 25-points favored, nationally No. 1 ranked reigning national/ SEC champion to the wire at Florida’s “Swamp” in Gainesville?

Flagging the officials

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And who would have thought that upon further review, controversial officiating would cause coast to coast conjecture if the Gators really earned their 23-20 triumph achieved on Caleb Sturgis’ tiebreaking 27-yard field goal with nine seconds left?

Two penalties, a pass interference called on Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway in the end zone, and a personal foul on Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, figured on the five-play, 67-yard Florida touchdown drive tying it 20-20 with 7:27 left in the game. They have drawn nationwide criticism starting with the CBS commentary during the game.

And those calls, nor aphoto on the Internet circulating showing the 25-second play clock at zero before Sturgis kicked a 51-yard field goal, aren’t even the most glaringly controversial in Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino’s view.

Responding to questions, Petrino cited a nocall of Florida receiver Riley Cooper appearing to commit offensive pass interference on Arkansas cornerback Andru Stewart in the end zone during the Gators’ drive for Sturgis’ game-winner.

“Really the call that I thought hurt the most,” Petr ino said Monday, “was the not calling pass interference in the end zone. I guess you wouldn’t say the most, but ... I don’t understand how you can’t call that play.”

The personal foul call on Sheppard most mystified the CBS announcing team.

Did Rogers Redding, director of SEC officials, explain the basis for that call to Petrino over the weekend?

“He didn’t give me anything that satisfied me but that’s just how it goes,” Petrino said.

Asked further, Petrino responded, “I think what you need to do is call them and ask them about that.”

The SEC released astatement Monday afternoon in response to Arkansas’ concerns.

“We have been in contact with Arkansas concerning this review from its game against Florida,” the statement read. “We did communicate to Arkansas that, after video review, there was no evidence on the video to support the personal foul penalty called on Arkansas midway through the fourth quarter. The other calls that were referenced are judgment calls and a review of those calls have been communicated to Arkansas.”

Petrino would have had plenty to say about the officiating but said he’s gagged from saying much.

“Obviously, everyone here knows that the First Amendment, when it comes to football coaches talking about officials, does not apply,” the coach said.

What applies now is rebounding from a closebut-no-cigar against the No. 1 ranked national champion, and visiting an Ole Miss team regrouped from a 22-3 loss to SEC West leader Alabama by routing Alabama-Birmingham, 48-13 last Saturday.

Arkansas launched a similar upswing following a 35-7 loss at Alabama with 47-19 and 44-23 triumphs over Texas A&M in Dallas and SEC West rival Auburn in Fayetteville.

However, it might seem even tougher coming oh so close to springing the biggest upset of 2009.

“ We didn’t win the game and that hurts,” Petrino said. “What we have to do is be able to take this and use it to build on. Use it as a confidence builder, use it as a knowing how to prepare, how to practice and how to perform in a game. It hurts a lot to lose the game because we felt like we were gonna win it. The best thing we have to do now is put it behind us after this afternoon and move forward and get ready for Ole Miss.”

Asked about senior running back Michael Smith, held out of the Florida game because of a hamstring injury during the Auburn game, Petrino said, “I think he’s doing better.”

Subbing for Smith, Dennis Johnson, 107 yards, became the first back in 2009 to break 100 running against Florida.

Johnson couldn’t finish the Florida game after getting hit in the head but should be OK to practice today, Petrino said.

Sports, Pages 9 on 10/20/2009