[Tuck4Bama]

No, Arkansas' 66-7 annihilation of Sun Belt Conference underdog North Texas doesn't atone for losing fourth-quarter leads in SEC losses to Alabama and Kentucky.

But a team can only do all it can do against its next scheduled opponent. Winning by such a large margin, with a nearly mistake-free first half, the Razorbacks did just about all they could do last Saturday night in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

It sure beats doing what they had done, two weeks'lodging in Heartbreak Hotel.

" I was really proud of our team, " Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said Sunday. " After two tough weekends, the way we took the field Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought we'd have a good game. I thought the intensity, the focus was very good. "

Certainly it seemed in the right step to get the Razorbacks ready for their Oct. 13 SEC return with Auburn, after the Hogs' nonconference game Saturday night in Little Rock against Tennessee-Chattanooga.


Fan focus from the North Texas game likely will rivet on Arkansas' passing game. Fans are accustomed to referring to the Arkansas passing game as lacking, but this week it showed marked improvement. Quarterback Casey Dick completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for 210 yards, 3 touchdowns and no picks.

And the line and backs have got to be doing something right when All-American running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones net 138 and 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns each by half and then sit while Texarkana's Brandon Barnett rushes for 105 yards and a touchdown in the second half. Fullback Peyton Hillis also got in on the act, carrying the ball six times for 66 yards.

Nutt not satisfied with big victory