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Location: WholeHogSports > Story     |     TAGGED:

FIU turnovers take burden off Razorbacks' offense

Published: Sunday, October 28, 2007 PRINT E-MAIL

Field position was decidedly in Arkansas’ favor Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium thanks to seven Florida International turnovers.

The Razorbacks (5-3, 1-3 ) seized on the short fields their defense provided to inflict another in a long line of indignities endured by hapless FIU (0-8, 0-3 ). The 58-10 drubbing extended the Golden Panthers’ losing streak to 20 games, the longest current streak in the NCAA’s Bowl Subdivision.

The average starting field position for Arkansas’ 13 drives was the FIU 45. Six of those drives originated inside the Golden Panther 33, with Arkansas parlaying those possessions into 27 points. In contrast, the Golden Panthers average starting position was their own 27, a 28-yard disparity.

Offensive coordinator David Lee said short fields limited the offense’s yardage. The Razorbacks’ 439 total yards were 13 fewer than their season average. Arkansas’ 249 rushing yards Saturday were 44 yards fewer than its average over the first seven games.

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“ We didn’t have many yards because our defense did such a fantastic job getting us turnovers, ” Lee said. “ It’s fun to take the ball over at the short end of the field. That happened a lot. It was a great day for our defense. I thought they played great. ”

Senior strong safety Matt Hewitt touched off Arkansas’ turnover bonanza on the game’s third play from scrimmage. His forced fumble was recovered by defensive end Adrian Davis.

“ I thought I missed the tackle, ” Hewitt said of his strip of FIU’s Moses Hinton. “ Then I see everyone running around and I was like, ‘ what’s going on. ’ [Kevin ] Woods slapped me in the head and said you ‘ just caused a turnover. ’

“ The more turnovers we get, the more we’re going to wear out the opponent’s defense. When one player makes a turnover, the next player’s going to make one. It just feeds on from the next player. I’m just extremely happy for everybody making plays. ”

A 32-yard Alex Tejada field goal was all Arkansas could wring from the first FIU gaffe. Two FIU possessions later Elston Forte’s forced fumble and Matterral Richardson’s recovery set up Arkansas at the Golden Panther 11, but Arkansas couldn’t press the advantage after a Casey Dick interception.

“ We didn’t convert a few times, but that’s OK, ” said Peyton Hillis, Arkansas ’ senior fullback.

The Razorbacks did convert the third FIU turnover into a touchdown, a 1-yard Darren McFadden run. Jerrell Norton’s interception, aided by Antwain Robinson’s quarterback pressure, enabled the scoring drive to start at the Golden Panther 32.

Norton’s pilfer was one of five Arkansas interceptions, giving the Razorbacks nine picks in their last two games. Senior free safety Kevin Woods nabbed the third interception thrown by FIU’s Wayne Younger, resulting in a 16-yard Felix Jones touchdown run.

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AP Top 25

Updated December 01

1. Alabama 12-0

2. Florida 11-1

3. Texas 11-1

4. Oklahoma 11-1

5. USC 10-1

6. Penn State 11-1

7. Utah 12-0

8. Texas Tech 11-1

9. Boise State 12-0

10. Ohio State 10-2

11. TCU 10-2

12. Ball State 12-0

13. Cincinnati 10-2

14. Oklahoma State 9-3

15. Georgia Tech 9-3

16. Oregon 9-3

17. Georgia 9-3

18. Boston College 9-3

19. Missouri 9-3

20. Brigham Young 10-2

21. Michigan State 9-3

22. Mississippi 8-4

23. Pittsburgh 8-3

24. Northwestern 9-3

25. Oregon State 8-4

Where will Arkansas' basketball season end?


NCAA Tournament

NIT

SEC Tournament

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Arkansas Razorbacks' 2008 Basketball Schedule

Nov. 3

Campbellsville University (exh)

W 103-58

Nov. 6

Dillard University (exh)

W 108-80

Nov. 14

Southeastern Louisiana

W 91-87

Nov. 20

California-Davis

W 68-59

Nov. 22

@ Missouri St.

L 57-62

Nov. 26

@ South Alabama

W 79-77

Nov. 29

Florida A&M

W 86-61

Dec. 3

Texas Southern

W 80-61

Dec. 10

North Carolina Central

W 98-70

Dec. 17

Austin Peay

W 89-80

Dec. 20

Stephen F. Austin

W 67-51

Dec. 27

Northwestern St.

W 95-56

Dec. 30

Oklahoma

W 96-88

Jan. 3

@ North Texas

W 86-75

Jan. 6

Texas

W 67-61

Jan. 10

Mississippi St.

     7:05 pm

Jan. 14

@ Ole Miss

     7:00 pm

Jan. 17

@ Florida

     1:05 pm

Jan. 24

Auburn

     12:05 pm

Jan. 29

Alabama

     8:05 pm

Jan. 31

@ LSU

     4:00 pm

Feb. 4

Tennessee

     7:05 pm

Feb. 7

@ Mississippi St.

     2:05 pm

Feb. 11

@ Auburn

     7:00 pm

Feb. 14

Kentucky

     12:05 pm

Feb. 18

LSU

     7:05 pm

Feb. 21

@ South Carolina

     6:00 pm

Feb. 25

@ Alabama

     7:00 pm

Mar. 1

Georgia

     3:05 pm

Mar. 4

Ole Miss

     7:05 pm

Mar. 8

@ Vanderbilt

     1:05 pm