The loss of Marcus Monk for six or more weeks to a knee injury dealt an obvious blow to the Arkansas Razorbacks’ passing game.

For a lack of a better term, Monk has been the Hogs ’ go-to guy since the last half of his freshman year. The 6-6 wide receiver from Lepanto registered one of the best seasons ever by a Razorback receiver a year ago, snagging 50 receptions for 962 yards, 11 touchdowns and a 19. 2 yards-per-catch average.

He holds the UA record with 24 career touchdown receptions and needs just 7 TDs this season to replace Florida’s Chris Doering as the SEC’s all-time touchdown reception leader. Monk also ranks fourth in UA history with 2, 007 career receiving yards and ranks sixth in the UA record book with 122 career receptions. With another outstanding season, he could own those records before he’s done.

Not only is a proven performer on the field, but he is a leader on it and off it. In fact, Monk is still leading even though he is sidelined. At last Saturday’s scrimmage, Monk encouraged his teammates during warm-ups and throughout the scrimmage.

There is no way the Razorbacks can make up for such losses before Sept. 1 season opener against Troy. It’s impossible.

However, it remains imperative for the Razorbacks to construct an effective passing game for the season whether Monk is available or not.

The season hinges on it.

While Arkansas’ passing numbers were anemic last season, Monk was always a threat, such a threat that he nearly always commanded double coverage. And that fact added extra fuel to the Razorbacks’ running game.

How you might ask ?

It made opponents pick their poison. Defensive coordinators had to decide whether to slide a safety into the box to have an extra man for run support and handle Monk with single coverage or double Monk and try to corral Darren McFadden and Felix Jones with just seven on the line of scrimmage.

The Auburn game was a perfect example. Monk and Mitch Mustain burned the Tigers early for a touchdown against a blitz and single coverage, and that kept Auburn honest the rest of the day and led to the Hogs’ groundbreaking victory.

With Monk out of the lineup, Troy will load up against the run with hopeful impunity. Based on last season’s statistics, the Trojans will have no reason to respect the Razorbacks’ passing game.

The Razorbacks may be good enough to run past Troy. The Hogs’ running game was good enough to run past or over 10 consecutive opponents last season before banging into a defensive brick wall against LSU, Florida and Wisconsin.

Certainly, the Razorbacks’ kicking game hurt the Hogs chances in each of their lateseason losses, but a bit more success in the passing game, particularly against LSU and Wisconsin, could have turned a fine 10-4 season into an even better 12-2 or possibly 13-1.

After watching spring practice and the first two weeks of fall drills, my inclination is that the Hogs will be a better passing team this fall.

The wide receivers are improved, Casey Dick should only get better as the Hogs begin to polish up the offense for the season opener and Peyton Hillis, Felix Jones and Darren McFadden are accomplished pass catchers as well as excellent runners. There is no doubt in my mind that all three will catch at least one touchdown pass this season.

However if the Hogs are going to make it back to Atlanta and win this time, the passing game can’t afford to tread water in the passing game until Monk returns.

Unlike some supposed, the Razorbacks continued to work their passing game last week even without Monk and progress was made. Crosby Tuck, Reggie Fish, Carlton Salters and Marques Wade all improved.

While there is nothing good about Monk’s injury, the Hogs’ passing offense could be in better shape as a whole when he returns because it has had to move on without him.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.