 "Photo: Wesley Hitt / University of Arkansas")
Heading into the 2004 season, Houston Nutt was a hot coaching commodity. He had been targeted by Nebraska to fill the coaching vacancy left by Frank Solich, a man who went 9-3 in his last season. Nutt pondered the move, but he eventually turned down the reported $2 million salary with the Cornhuskers to stay with his alma mater. Arkansas Athletics Director Frank Broyles rewarded Nutt for his loyalty with a massive contract extension, paying him a reported $1.5 million per year until 2011.
Since he was considered for one of the premier - and most demanding - coaching positions in the country, one that eventually went to West Coast offense guru Bill Callahan, Nutt has had his fair share of troubles with the Arkansas program. The coach, who had posted a 48-27 record in six years before the 2004 season with the Razorbacks, stumbled last year, going 5-6 and missing bowl eligibility for the first time in his tenure. To make matters worse, Razorback fans were left wondering what might have been when the veteran coach narrowly missed an upset of perennial powerhouse Texas, losing 22-20. The 2-point game proved to be the difference between a losing season and seven straight trips to the postseason.
Outside of a 70-17 thrashing at the hands of the Southern Cal Trojans in Los Angeles, this year has provided more what-ifs. The Razorbacks lost to early-season upstart Vanderbilt at home by 4. Two weeks ago, they missed an upset opportunity when they traveled to Athens and fell to Georgia by 3. Heading into Saturday's game against Carolina, Arkansas is 2-5 with only wins against Missouri State and Louisiana-Monroe to show for the season.
Nutt said he has been pleased with the effort of the performances but not the results.
"I've said it before and that's just a fact," Nutt said. "You have to keep fighting and playing with that kind of attitude and passion. I really think there are good things around the corner and that's what we're going to build on."
He has certainly had ample time to build on it. While Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks were breaking new ground in Knoxville with a victory against Tennessee, Nutt and the Razorbacks were studying film during a bye week. The time off might be exactly what Nutt needs to reevaluate his team and address weaknesses. So far, he's removed the redshirt from freshman quarterback Casey Dick, and he looks to use him in place of former starter Robert Johnson.
"Who gives us the best chance to win?" Nutt asked. "It was just decided by Wednesday (before the Georgia game) Robert (Johnson) gave us the best chance to win this particular time going into this hostile of an environment .... That fit Robert the best. He still has to improve. You can't turn the football over. The teams we play in this league are too good."
Indeed, Arkansas has had a rough time with turnovers, throwing eight interceptions and losing another eight fumbles, placing them at No. 10 in the SEC with a turnover differential of -4. Arkansas is also near the cellar of the conference standings in other areas, as they are ranked 10th in the conference in passing defense, tied for last in scoring defense and stand at 12th in passing offense.
One statistic Nutt's Razorbacks do dominate is rushing offense, leading the league with 1,796 yards on 314 carries, amassing 256.6 yards per game. Largely on the legs of standout freshmen Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, the Hogs are second in the league with 16 touchdowns on the ground.
While there has been promise, this year has been filled with frustration for Nutt and his program. The Razorbacks must win all four of their last games to become bowl-eligible. Arkansas has Ole Miss, Mississippi State and LSU after the Gamecocks visit. That's a mighty tall order for a young team and a man who 's fallen on hard times after just recently being considered one of the best in the business.
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