FAYETTEVILLE -- The rushing of the field at Reynolds Razorback Stadium by thousands of fans after Arkansas' 17-0 victory over LSU on Saturday will cost the athletic department $25,000.
The SEC levied the fine on Monday, noting that it was Arkansas' second offense of the league's "access to competition area" policy, dating to a 2006 storming of the basketball court following an 85-81 overtime victory over No. 10 Florida on Feb. 18, 2006.
First offenses of the policy incur a fine of $5,000 and third offenses cost $50,000. If a school maintains a three-year period without violations after a second offense, the fine resets at $25,000.
Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long had tried to pre-empt a field-storming incident by fans by issuing a request to restrain themselves in the event of a victory prior to the Razorbacks' game against Alabama on Oct. 11. Arkansas lost 14-13.
Long, in Arlington, Texas, to prepare for tonight's release of the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings, declined to respond Sunday to a request by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for comment on Saturday's victory and issued a statement Monday.
The statement read, "Saturday was a great night for our football program, student-athletes and entire fan base. While we do not want to minimize the impact of the victory and what it means for Razorback Nation, we cannot have another incident of rushing the field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium or entering the competition area at any of our athletic venues.
"Such celebrations put the safety of student-athletes, coaches and our fans at risk. We should all expect many special victories in the future and our hope is that fans will stay in their seats and continue the tradition of joining the Razorback Marching Band in the singing of the alma mater and 'It's Hard To Be Humble.' "
Time to win
Coach Bret Bielema said he knew an SEC victory had been coming for a while for the Razorbacks, who broke their 17-game conference losing streak against LSU on Saturday. But Monday, he admitted he took an extra step in that direction last week.
"I said something to our guys on Thursday which I've never done," Bielema said. "I made a special point to them ... I said, 'I'll tell you something I've never told you. You've earned the right to win this game. You've put in the preparation. You've learned lessons you've needed to learn and you've earned the right to win this football game.' And that's exactly what they did."
Working ahead
Bret Bielema said Monday that he and his staff have benefited from the addition of Steve Loney as a paid consultant since the third week of the season. Bielema said he got the idea for bringing in a consultant, to study videotape and prepare scouting reports, after seeing former Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and other consultants on the sideline at Alabama last season.
Loney, a native of Marshalltown, Iowa, who played on the offensive line at Iowa State (1970-1973), has been a four-year head coach at Morehead State (1981-1983) and Drake (2007), and has worked for five NFL teams, most recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-2013).
Loney and Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney worked together with the St. Louis Rams in 2008.
"He's two weeks in front of us," Bielema said. "So, like today, I went in his office and he's working on Missouri. Well, obviously we're ... working on Ole Miss. But on Sunday when I come into the office, I have a written document of what he's learned about Ole Miss through his study.
"I've known him for a long time. He's just a football junkie. That has been a difference in our program that I can't even describe how much of an effect it's had."
Two toward 1,000
Arkansas is on pace to have its first pair of 1,000-yard rushers since Darren McFadden and Felix Jones did it in 2007 for the second year in a row.
Junior Jonathan Williams, who ranks fourth in the SEC with 932 rushing yards, needs 68 in Arkansas' final two games against Mississippi and Missouri to hit the 1,000-yard mark. Sophomore Alex Collins, who last year was the first Arkansas freshman to rush for 1,000 yards since McFadden in 2005, is fifth in the SEC with 886 yards.
Williams can hit the milestone mark with 34 yards per game, while Collins needs to average 57 yards per game.
Williams and Collins are having remarkably similar seasons carrying the bulk of the rushing load for Arkansas, beginning with their 11 rushing touchdowns each. Williams is fourth in the SEC with 6.01 yards per carry, and Collins is fifth with 5.91 yards per carry.
Williams also has a receiving touchdown to give him a one-score edge over Collins.
Honors
Arkansas linebacker Martrell Spaight and offensive tackle Dan Skipper were honored by the SEC on Monday. Spaight was named the conference's co-defensive player of the week, while Skipper was tabbed as the offensive lineman of the week.
Spaight, a senior from North Little Rock, led the Razorbacks with 10 tackles, including five unassisted, with a sack and a forced fumble. Skipper, a sophomore from Arvada, Colo., graded out at 83 percent, the highest mark among the Razorbacks offensive linemen.
Ole Miss prep
Quarterback Brandon Allen said he's not worried about the Razorbacks getting mentally prepared to face CFP No. 10 Mississippi, which moved to No. 8 in the Associated Press and coaches polls released Sunday.
"I really don't think I worry about this team," Allen said. "We have that mind-set that we're going to put this game away [Sunday]. We're going to put it out of our minds and we'll be on to Ole Miss. We're always good, win or lose, with putting games behind us and moving on to the next opponent."
Last time
Arkansas' 17-0 victory over LSU was the Razorbacks' first shutout against an SEC opponent since a 23-0 victory over South Carolina on Nov. 9, 2002.
The last time LSU was shut out by an SEC opponent came in a 31-0 loss to Alabama at Baton Rouge in 2002.
Arkansas shut out a ranked opponent for the first time since downing No. 21 Texas A&M 34-0 on Oct. 29, 1966 in College Station, Texas.
The last time LSU lost to a team with a worse record than Arkansas' 4-5 mark came in a 34-22 setback against Mississippi State, which was 4-6 and 0-6 in the SEC, on Nov. 17, 1990.
Worth noting
• Mississippi will mark the sixth top 10 opponent for Arkansas this season and the sixth ranked opponent for the Razorbacks in their past seven games.
• Arkansas scored on its first possession for the sixth time in 10 games when Razorbacks kicker Adam McFain scored on a 32-yard field goal against LSU.
• Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said the last shutout he was involved with came in Rutgers' 26-0 victory over Howard on Sept. 8, 2012.
• Senior linebacker Braylon Mitchell made his starting assignment Saturday pay off with nine tackles, including a tackle for a 1-yard loss.
Sports on 11/18/2014