High Cotton
Brandon's Line of Scrimmage column for November 28th
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
As I was hunched in the corner of Markham Street Pub around 6 p.m. Friday, my roommate rushed over. With the hysterical roar coming from around the bar, it was hard to take in what had just taken place.
“Did that really just happen?” I asked him almost in tears. A resounding “Yes!” was his response.
Chants were being shouted across the bar. First, it was “Heisman! Heisman! Heisman!” Then, it turned to “Cotton Bowl!” “Cotton Bowl! “Cotton Bowl!”
Part of me wishes I could have been in Death Valley to watch an unranked, 13-point underdog run all over the No. 1 team in the nation. But as I finally gained my composure after the Razorbacks stopped LSU from scoring a two-point conversion in the third overtime, I realized I was right where I needed to be.
It didn’t matter who you were or what your party affiliation was. It didn’t matter your race, creed or lifestyle. It didn’t even matter if you were a Houston Hugger or Hater. All that mattered in those minutes that followed was that you were a fan of the University of Arkansas.
Everything seemed to click for the Hogs, who shocked the Tigers 50-48 in three overtimes and shattered LSU’s national championship hopes (returning the favor from last year).
Darren McFadden boosted himself into the Heisman spotlight again, rushing for 206 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns and adding a passing touchdown during the fourth quarter. I’m not sure it was enough to be at the podium after the show Florida quarterback Tim Tebow put on Saturday, but McFadden’s stellar performance should garner him at least a plane ticket to New York.
Casey Dick had another good outing, completing 10 of 18 passes for 94 yards. It was his second consecutive week without an interception.
And, the talk of central Arkansas has to be Conway-native fullback Peyton Hillis, who rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. In most math classes, that is four touchdowns. FOUR!
The win was enough for the coaches to put Arkansas at No. 25 in their poll, but the Hogs were 52 votes shy of nabbing that spot in the AP poll. Now, it’s time to sit back and wait for the bowl schedule to be announced. It’s going to be hard for Cotton Bowl officials to not choose Arkansas after a game like that and the Hogs’ rich history there.
A matchup against Texas would be ideal, but after the Longhorns’ loss to in-state rival Texas A&M, I wouldn’t count on it. I look for Arkansas to be playing the Sooners of Oklahoma in a New Year’s Day classic. Don’t worry though, we’ll get a chance to pounce Texas on Sept. 13 in Austin next year.
It’s been one heck of a ride this season. A few e-mails, text messages, Freedom of Information Act requests and banners later, I never dreamed it would end this way.
Christmas has come early this year. Even a big win couldn’t salvage Nutt’s throne on The Hill. The head coach’s 10-year reign is over. Monday night was a sigh of relief for most Razorback fans as the coach resigned at the end of a year filled with controversy. Finally, we can get some much needed sleep. Goodbye, Houston.
Comments
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)