While the outcome of Arkansas’ 41-38 loss to Alabama is one Razorback fans had just assume forget, the performance of star tailback Darren McFadden will be hard to erase from anyone’s memory.

McFadden, last year’s Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy runner-up, carried the load as the Razorbacks erased a second-half 21-point deficit to take a touchdown lead before finally falling to the Crimson Tide.

McFadden plowed his way to 195 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 33 carries against an Alabama defense that had zeroed in on the 6-3, 218-pound junior from Little Rock.

“ If there is a better football player in the nation right now, I want to meet him, ” Nutt said.

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The running of Felix Jones complemented McFadden, as the Tulsa native zipped for 96 yards on 16 carries, but DMac stood out.

“ All our backs showed a lot of heart, ” Nutt said. “ They were just playing their guts out. Darren McFadden played extremely well. He earned every yard he got tonight. I just felt like we played well enough to win it. ”

McFadden’s longest run was a 20-yarder, and most of his yardage did not come easily. Showing tremendous leg drive, McFadden did much of his work after making contact, carrying defenders with him. He also doled out a fair amount of punishment with his trademark stiff arm and by being his own blocker.

“ I felt better running the ball in second half than I did in the first half, ” McFadden said. “ I think their defensive front was getting tired. ”

After watching the video of the game, Nutt marveled at the will and leadership McFadden showed in the contest.

“ What a fierce competitor, unbelievable fighter, warrior — all the adjectives you want, ” Nutt said Sunday. “ That’s why he went to New York last year. This guy is special. ”

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks called McFadden a cross between O. J. Simpson and Earl Campbell, while Nutt likened his star back to Thurman Thomas and Walter Payton.

Alabama acknowledged McFadden’s talent, too.

“ I’m speechless, ” Bama defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry said. “ To stop the No. 1 Heisman candidate, not really stop him but beat him. He probably went for 200 or 300 yards tonight. To take a win from him was awesome. It was definitely one of the biggest wins I’ve been a part of.

“ At the same time, I’m still gasping for words. This is one of those victories that you just hope and pray for the best. Guys like McFadden are in a class by themselves. The fact that we were able to come out tonight and take care of this means a lot for this team and this program. ”

Unfortunately for Arkansas (1-1 ), McFadden’s final carry came with 9: 26 left in the game, just before the Razorbacks pulled ahead, 38-31. He suffered a slight concussion and also had issues with leg cramps that kept him on the bench the rest of the night.

Nutt anticipates McFadden will be healthy for the Hogs’ showdown with No. 21 Kentucky (3-0 ) at 5 p. m. Saturday in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“ He’ll be out there and we’ll be smart with him, ” Nutt said. “ We’ve got to get him ready for 5 p. m. Saturday against Kentucky. That’s the bottom line. ”

McFadden said he was sore, but that he fully expected to be back to practice today after Monday’s day off.

McFadden is chasing several Arkansas records and if he remains healthy he should catch them. With 346 rushing yards on the season, he is just 464 yards away from breaking the school’s all-time rushing record of 3, 106 yards, which is held by Ben Cowins. McFadden has rushed for more than 100 yards in 14 of his 27 games as a Razorback and needs just three more 100-yard outings to hold that record as well.

McFadden had 260 allpurpose yards in the game with three receptions for 16 yards and two kick-off returns for 49 yards.