Houston Nutt Press Conference Transcript

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The following is a partial transcript of Arkansas head coach Houston Nutts Sunday press conference. Opening remarks: "I want to let the state of Arkansas know, that I know there are some unhappy fans and theres an unhappy coach too. I want our fans to know that. There are coaches that are down and players that are really down. We hate it. It was a wonderful homecoming, with the pageantry, the fans and the attendance. Everything was perfect, except for one thing and thats the scoreboard. "I really appreciate some of the calls and letters I have gotten. I just want them to know were going to get things turned and corrected. One word was brought to my attention today about timid. There were not any timid Razorbacks on that field Saturday. You look real hard there was a lot of effort out there. We had an offense that had a freshman that took the ball 32 times and went almost 190 yards for the second-straight week. There was a freshman quarterback who gave up his redshirt to help his team. I could go on and on. "I thought the defense played outstanding. The bottom line is we can go from about the 25 to the 25 or 20 to 20 and at the critical times we havent been able to convert that one play or make that one play. Give me Jamaal Andersons touchdown. Give me Darren McFaddens touchdown and I really think this ballgame is over with the crowd and enthusiasm. "One of the things I took into consideration all week long and everybody talks about the 4th and 1 and 4th and eight inches. All week long Reggie Herring came to me and said ‘They wont score many, and he was right on it. Hes usually been very accurate with me and honest from day one. I felt like were 2 and 5, so you want to stay on the field. "I thought Cedric Washington got the first down and he wasnt far off. Youve got to be able to make that. Hindsight is perfect, but youre trying to do something to create momentum and jumpstart. "I was proud of Casey Dick. I was proud of his effort and the decision-making for the first time. The way he threw the ball. I thought it was outstanding. The only thing I want to change is when its a critical time with short yardage, make that yard or two yards. Put those points on the board. Thats the only thing. We threw as many times as Steve Spurrier did. We rushed. Our total offense was much more, but stats dont mean anything. The one thing is who has the most points at the end of 60 minutes and thats what we didnt get done Saturday." What will you do with the rest of the season? "This is the first day of starting over, not that Im throwing the seniors away. I have nothing to give them after these three games. Were going to keep going. If you did notice how few seniors were out there for senior day. There wasnt very many and even less that are playing. This is the first day of next year and every single snap is so important. Thats how were going to approach it. Were going to work real hard on critical situations. The leadership and the seniors, the few that we have, have done an outstanding job." "Were going to look at all possibilities and all angles and find some way to win these next three games. Starting with Ole Miss. Well try to give more playing time to some young guys like Marcus Shavers and Elston Forte and naturally Casey Dick still going. Of course (Darren) McFadden and Felix (Jones). Looking at every possible area that young people are involved and getting them more involved, but doing everything we can do to win. How will you motivate the team to finish strong? "Thats what I love about this team. Again, this is my first situation where things have not gone your way. You keep hoping youre going to wake up from a bad dream. The bottom line is this is the way it is and these guys have always responded and played hard. They want to win so badly. They have not gotten one little break or bounce. Were hoping this is going to be the weekend. I dont ever get the sense that theyre getting ready to pack it in. I dont feel that." On Ole Miss: "This is going to be one of the toughest defenses well face. They have done a great job against everyone. Theyve been struggling on offense. This will be a physical, physical game. It always is, but this one will definitely be."