Bobby Petrino isn't blasé about football's Game Two cliché.

You know the one, that a football team does its most improving between its first and second game. The Arkansas coach was asked if he believed it to be true during his Sunday media teleconference.

" God, I hope it's true ! " Petrino said. " Whoever said it, and someone said it a long time ago because it seems like every year I get asked that question, I'm praying that's true. Because we've got a lot of improvement to make. We've got a big window there. "

Off-the-board lower division underdog Western Illinois University almost left Arkansas a shattered window.

Down 24-14 with 10: 34 to play, the Razorbacks needed Casey Dick to complete a 26-yard touchdown pass to freshman Greg Childs with 7: 58 and then keep it himself for a 4-yard touchdown run at 1: 49 to edge Western Illinois, 28-24, in the season-opener last Saturday night at Frank Broyles Field in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

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Does last Saturday's scare at least help the coach and staff get the players' attention for Saturday night's game against Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock ?

" Well, " Petrino said, " we are going to get their attention anyway. I would have preferred if we had blown them out and given some more guys experience in the game, myself. But it's just a matter of getting better. "

Especially getting better at running the ball and stopping the run, Petrino said after Herb Donaldson, WIU's superb senior running back, netted 157 yards rushing himself on 35 carries versus Arkansas' 76 yards rushing net as a team.

" We have got to get on the practice field and play the run better, use our hands and get off blocks, " Petrino said. " Be responsible for the gap I am responsible for. Not penetrate or jump out of it. That's huge. But you are pleased with the effort and that we were more physical. Those are things you can build on. "

The defense did make key stops when they were needed down the stretch, and Donaldson is a fine back, though just one of many fine backs the Hogs face with Texas plus eight SEC games to come after Saturday's 6 p.m. session with Louisiana-Monroe.

" He's a very good running back, " Petrino said. " No doubt about that. But there's no doubt in my mind when we get to the SEC every running back we face is going to be a great player and have the same ability he has or better. We definitely have to shore some things up. "

As for Arkansas running the ball, fourth-year junior starting tailback Michael Smith, suspended for the WIU game for an alleged NCAA violation for the use of textbooks, returns to the lineup against Louisiana-Monore, and freshman De'Anthony Curtis of Camden did debut netting 36 yards on 6 carries at running back, including an 18-yard draw fueling Arkansas' 10-play, 81-yard second-quarter touchdown drive.

Whatever defense ULM runs, particularly after Dick completed 25 of 41 passes for 318 yards and 2 TDs, it isn't as apt to be as run-conscious stacked as WIU's defense.

" Looking back on it, " Petrino said, " maybe we should have just thrown it every single down. If they are going to put that many in the box... sometimes I felt bullheaded just calling runs period. But there is no question in my mind, next week we'll run the ball a lot better. "

Of course the irony is the Razorback who ultimately beat the Leathernecks running: Casey Dick, in the past probably more apt to scramble an egg than scramble as a quarterback. The improbable 23-yard TD scramble and the called 4-yard keeper for the game winner at 1: 49 were the first rushing touchdowns of the senior's collegiate life.

With current NFL rookie running backs Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis on hand plus Michael Smith in reserve, there was no call for Dick to run the ball under former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt.

Especially considering how ill at ease Dick appeared whenever flushed from the pocket.

However, minus McFadden, Jones and Hillis, Dick didn't seem so slow to a fresh set of coaching eyes.

The Petrino regime had some called runs for Casey last spring.

" He is a good athlete, " Petrino said. " He can run. His times are good. His change of direction is good. I think it's just a mindset. Getting him in the right mindset that, ' I am going to be a willing runner. ' "

He threw to some receivers willing to prove the old adage about getting right back on a horse after you fall off.

Wideouts Lucas Miller, Greg Childs and Carlton Salters all dropped big passes against WIU, but all came back catching the passes that kept the Razorbacks from catching hell.

Nate Allen covers the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Northwest Arkansas Times.