National : With McFadden, Jones gone to NFL, Smith finally No. 1 back
Michael Smith wants to continue the running back tradition at Arkansas.
The Southeastern Conference school has habitually boasted a dominant rushing attack. None stronger than last year. While many players around the nation prepare to supplant one school legend, the junior running back Smith has inherited the arduous responsibility of replacing two departed All-Americans – Darren McFadden and Felix Jones – in the Razorbacks’ backfield. Both McFadden and Jones were first-round picks in the NFL draft this year.
That means Smith will finally get a chance to shine after nearly starting ahead of McFadden and Jones three years ago.
‘I don’t think too many people have ever had the chance to do this,’ Smith said. ‘It’s great pressure to replace Darren and Felix, because you want to make sure the Arkansas fans don’t see any drop-off in the running game or even the way we play the game period.’
In addition to carrying the load for the offense, Smith will have to fulfill massive expectations and sustain the program’s rich tradition of leading the SEC in rushing. Arkansas has led the conference in rushing five of the last six seasons.
Last season, McFadden mesmerized the nation, rushing for 1,830 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to earning All-American accolades and becoming the Heisman Trophy runner-up. His backup, Jones, scampered for 1,162 yards and 11 touchdowns, developed into a lethal kick returner and also received recognition as an All-American. Together, they became college football’s most prolific backfield duo.
But during the off-season, McFadden and Jones decided to forgo their senior seasons to pursue a career in the NFL. Their departures have allowed Smith to usurp the starting role for the Razorbacks this season.
Despite learning a new, pass-oriented playbook that deviates from Houston Nutt’s run philosophy, Smith has been the highlight of a sputtering Razorbacks’ offense and has picked up where McFadden and Jones left off.
Last week, his 176 rushing yards, including a 63-yard touchdown run, highlighted Arkansas’ 25-22 upset over then No. 20 Auburn. In five games, Smith has carried the ball 109 times, rushing for 599 yards and four touchdowns.
But replacing talents like McFadden and Jones isn’t easy. The Razorbacks currently rank 11th out of 12 SEC teams in rushing offense.
Ironically, Smith was once a strong candidate to beat out McFadden and Jones for the starting job. In 2005, Smith, McFadden and Jones were collectively recruited to join the Razorbacks program as freshmen. At the beginning of training camp, they each split carries with the first-team offense, vying to impress then-head coach Nutt.
Early in camp, Smith pulled a hamstring that would sideline him for the following few weeks. By the time he regained full-speed, McFadden and Jones had already solidified their spots on the depth chart, and Smith was relegated to third-string duties. Smith ultimately used the 2005 season as a redshirt year.
Three years later, McFadden is starting for the Oakland Raiders, Jones is a big-play threat with the Dallas Cowboys and Smith is adapting to his new role as a collegiate starter. To this day, the frustration of the past occasionally lingers in Smith’s mind.
‘Patience was definitely a virtue that I had to learn and acquire,’ Smith said. ‘It took a year or two to fully understand that. But once I got that out, I played my role and got the reps that I was able to get in.’
Still, Smith used his time on the sidelines to learn from his two counterparts. He scrutinized McFadden’s bruising running style and Jones’ quick, shifty methods, incorporating aspects of both into his game.
All-American senior center Jonathan Luigs, who has blocked for McFadden, Jones and Smith, noticed the similarities and differences among the three, concluding that Smith’s technique closely resembled that of Jones.
‘Obviously Darren’s a power guy, but he’s got speed and likes to go downhill,’ Luigs said. ‘Whereas Felix and Michael Smith have that ability to make people miss. Michael tries to get one-on-one with linebackers and safeties to try to get extra yards that way. But the common denominator for all of them is speed and that’s what it takes to be successful in that position.’
Even now, he keeps in touch with McFadden and Jones. The pair gives Smith advice on handling his featured role in such a competitive conference.
After a few games, Razorbacks’ first-year head coach Bobby Petrino quickly learned to admire Smith’s leadership qualities on the field. He even confessed his desire for the rest of the team to feed off of Smith’s energy.
‘Michael has played well for us,’ Petrino said in a teleconference. ‘He shows a tremendous amount of competitiveness and toughness. You couldn’t ask more out of him, because he competes on every play, whether he’s carrying the ball or involved in protection or running his routes. We need to build on that.’
Many of Smith’s teammates, including Luigs, can comprehend the immense responsibility that lies ahead for Smith as the Razorbacks’ starting running back.
‘There’s a lot of history and a lot of pride that goes into (running for Arkansas),’ Luigs said. ‘We led this conference in rushing for several years now, and Mike doesn’t want to be the one that lets that tradition fall.’
Bowden Bows OutFirst, he was reportedly fired. Then media outlets claimed he had been pressured to step down. In due course, it was announced Tommy Bowden voluntarily resigned as Clemson head coach during a Monday meeting with Director of Athletics Terry Don Phillips. After managing only three victories in six games this season, Bowden realized he had worn out his welcome on campus.
During the preseason, the Tigers started with a No. 9 ranking and were the consensus choice to win the ACC. But during the season, Bowden gradually lost respect from his players, including quarterback Cullen Harper and running back C.J. Spiller, who have since spoken out against him. Now, assistant head coach and receivers coach Dabo Swinney will assume the top job for the Tigers.
