If there is one thing to count on Saturday when the Bulldogs travel to Fayetteville to take on the Razorbacks, it is going to be a close game. Seven of the 11 games in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less. The thing that might not be counted on is a Bulldog win. The Bulldogs have never won a game in the state of Arkansas and have lost the last two games to the Razorbacks. “Arkansas is a difficult place to play,” MSU head coach Jackie Sherrill said. “They’ve had great success at home against some of the top teams in the country.”
Great success at home is no lie. This season, the Hogs have beaten then No. 9 South Carolina and then No. 17 Auburn at home. They have won their last five games after starting 1-3. That stretch includes the seven-overtime win at Ole Miss, as well as the USC and Auburn victories.
Perhaps this is the year the tables could turn on this game. The last two years, the Bulldogs have gone into the matchup with a chance to win the Western division of the SEC. Both times, the Hogs have squashed those chances. This year, Arkansas is 6-3 overall with a 3-3 mark in the SEC. They still have an outside chance at making a run to Atlanta. A loss would all but end those chances.
“In 1998, this game put us in the championship,” Sherrill said. “In ’99 we did not play well, and last year we had a chance to win it and did not play well. It is a game that has not been one-sided either way, and it is a game that both teams have played well to turn things around. Often, it’s one or two players who will make a play to change the game.”
The biggest difference for State on the offensive side of the ball will be the quarterback. Unlike the past couple of weeks, Kevin Fant will be the starting quarterback. Wayne Madkin had X-rays Tuesday that indicated his toe was broken and will have season-ending surgery, according to The Clarion-Ledger. Since Madkin cannot play, the backup will be freshman Kyle York, but the Bulldogs are hoping not to use him so he can keep his redshirt.
“Kevin would be ready whatever you did with him,” Sherrill said. “He has some very good qualities and is a very tough kid.”
This will be Fant’s first career start. Last weekend against Alabama, Fant had a career day in passing. Coming in with 2:19 left in the first half, Fant ended the game 17 of 29 with 175 yards and two touchdowns. All of these were career highs.
The rest of the offense will remain the same, with Dontae Walker and Dicenzo Miller sharing time at the tailback position. Last weekend, Walker rushed for 101 yards against Alabama.
At the receiver spot, Justin Jenkins will move back into the starting role at the flanker position. At Alabama, Jenkins had five catches for 35 yards and an impressive touchdown reception. He is currently the leading scorer on the team with five touchdowns on the year.
“We are going to have to put up a lot of points this game,” tight end Donald Lee said. “Arkansas has a very good defense, and we are not playing well on both sides of the ball right now. We need the offensive line and the running backs to play well.”
The Bulldogs are currently last in the league in scoring at just over 12 points per game. They will face a stingy Arkansas defense that is only allowing 23 points per game.
On the defensive side, the Bulldogs will once again face an option team. Alabama ran for 228 yards against MSU last weekend, and the Razorbacks will be looking to do the same.
“We prepared for the option last week,” Sherrill said. “They run four or five different options. They run out of the shotgun a lot as well.”
Arkansas uses a two-quarterback system. When No. 17 Zak Clark is in the game, expect them to throw the ball. Clark leads the team with 804 yards through the air and four touchdown passes.
Matt Jones is the second Arknasas quarterback. Jones is currently the second leading rusher on the team with 388 yards. He has breakaway speed and will be used to run the option.
Arkansas has two quality tailbacks to work with as well. Junior Fred Talley leads the team with 674 yards on the season and four touchdowns. Backup Cedric Cobbs is equally talented and also has four touchdowns on the year.
“Arkansas has a great quarterback to run the option in Matt Jones,” linebacker Mario Haggan said. “He has really lifted the offense lately. This will be more of a straightaway speed and counter option to what Alabama ran.
“This week, we want to play hard for four quarters and make a play. Last weekend we did not make the big play to win the game. Just playing hard is not going to get it done in this conference or football period.”
The Bulldogs are now playing for pride and building for next season. The loss last weekend assured them of their first losing season since 1995, so no bowl berth is being played for in this game.
The team will look for their first road victory since the Kentucky game last season.
Kickoff time is 1 p.m. at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The game will not be televised but can be heard on the MSU Radio Network.