FAYETTEVILLE — Backup QB takes over after injury
Arkansas quarterback Nathan Emert got his first significant playing time in two years in the Razorbacks' 58-10 victory against Florida International on Saturday.
Emert, a redshirt junior from Springdale, came off the bench early in the second quarter after starter Casey Dick sustained a mild concussion.
Dick could have returned to the game, which Arkansas led 17-0 at the time, but Emert stayed in and completed 13 of 25 passes for 154 yards and 1 touchdown.
Emert had played in four other games this season, but that was late in blowout victories.
"I hadn't played in a real game situation in a long time," said Emert, who redshirted last year after transferring from Missouri Southern. "It was a lot of fun. I had a good time."
Emert directed a touchdown drive on his first series, including completions to Peyton Hillis for gains of 9 and 25 yards.
"He came off the bench good and cold and heated up right away," Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee said. "Then I thought he missed some things in the second half I'd have liked to seen him hit, but for the most part, he came in and did a good job."
Emert, asked to grade his performance, said he would give himself a C or D.
"I missed a lot of open guys," Emert said. "I didn't do a whole lot. I mainly handed it off to some great running backs."
Perhaps most impressively, Emert didn't have any turnovers.
"I thought he executed the offense extremely well." Florida International Coach Mario Cristobal said. "It didn't change what we did defensively.
"They're so good up front [on the offensive line], they really take your charge away ... They do a great job of handling pressure. We knew they weren't going to skip a beat by putting in a second guy." What was the deal?
After Florida International took possession at its 38 with 47 seconds left, Coach Mario Cristobal called his final two timeouts, hoping to score a touchdown.
That drew some boos from the few fans who remained in the stands, and Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring didn't seem too thrilled, either.
Herring appeared to yell and gesture toward Florida International's sideline, but didn't want to say whether he was upset by the timeouts after the game.
"Hey look, they've got more problems than worrying about me commenting on that," Herring said. "I have no comment; the game is over.
We've got South Carolina next Saturday night."
Could it be Cristobal called the timeouts because he was ticked off that Arkansas didn't take a knee when it got the ball at its 19 with 1:03 left and instead third-string tailback Michael Smith ran 81 yards for a touchdown?
"I don't know," Herring said. "It doesn't matter. I'm not getting into high school drama. I've got enough problems."
Cristobal said he wasn't upset by Arkansas' final touchdown.
"Not at all. Football is football, and you have to run your offense," Cristobal said.
"All they were doing was running plays. Hey, they've got guys on the second and third teams they have to get ready for SEC play as well.
"They were just running a routine play that we should make a tackle. We had three guys miss a tackle. .. I think they're a class act, and they coach hard and they coach well." Crip Hall to Hillis
Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis won the Crip HallAward, which goes to the outstanding senior on Homecoming as voted on by the media.
Hillis led the Razorbacks with six catches for 77 yards and also had two carries for 15 yards.
So-so performance
Arkansas junior tailback Darren McFadden rushed for a career-high four touchdowns but didn't have an impressive afternoon overall.
McFadden fumbled two kickoffs, including one Florida International recovered; was involved in a fumbled handoff to Felix Jones; and was held to an average of 3.2 yards on 19 carries.
McFadden also became Arkansas' all-time leader in rushing attempts and now has 648. He broke the mark of Ben Cowins, who had 635.
Liberty in the house
Harold Graeter, associate executive director of the Liberty Bowl, watched Saturday's game from the press box and was impressed by the Razorbacks.
"There's always a great interest in Arkansas from our side," Graeter said. "We have a great history with the Razorbacks and we certainly know the enthusiasm and the dedication that these fans have to this program."
Arkansas has played in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis three times, most recently in 1987 when Georgia beat the Razorbacks 20-17.
Graeter talked with Jeff Long, who takes over as Arkansas' athletic director on Jan. 1 and now is on campus as an adviser to Chancellor John White.
"It was good to meet Jeff Long," Graeter said. "Certainly the message is we're here and there's a lot of interest on our part." Injury report
Arkansas junior starting quarterback Casey Dick sustained a slight concussion and sore ribs in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the game, but could have returned if needed.
Dick is expected to be able to practice today.
Razorbacks junior tight end Lance Thompson sprained his right foot.
Thumbs up
To Arkansas redshirt sophomore safety Rashaad Johnson, who had the first two interceptions of his career.
To Florida InternationalCoach Mario Cristobal for dressing up and wearing a tie on the sideline.
To Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway, who made five tackles on special teams.
To Arkansas senior wide receiverMarcus Monk, who had played just one snap in the first seven games but came back from a knee injury to catch his 25th career touchdown pass.
Thumbs down
To Arkansas' defense for struggling to corral Florida International quarterback Wayne Younger when he scrambled or ran keepers.
To Cristobal for calling two timeouts in the final 47 seconds.
Sports, Pages 37 on 10/28/2007