COMMODORES’

Back has his way with Hogs

back has his way with Hogs.

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas offensive coaches felt they could run the ball on Vanderbilt, which ranked 13th in the league and

No. 102 in the country in rush defense entering the weekend by allowing 195.4 yards per game.

They were right. The Razorbacks racked up 207 rushing yards, 35 more than their season average, against the Commodores.

However, Vanderbilt was even more productive on the ground, rushing for 250 yards in its 45-31 victory at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Sophomore Rakeem Boyd posted 113 rushing yards, his third 100-yard game in the last four weeks. The only game Boyd did not reach 100 in that stretch he rushed for 99 in a 23-0 victory over Tulsa.

Sophomore Chase Hayden posted a seasonhigh 70 yards on 5 carries against Vanderbilt, including a 38-yard touchdown for his first score of the year.

“We thought we could run the football,” Coach Chad Morris said. “When we went in, we thought we could get to the edge. Teams that have played them have done a good job running the ball against them.

“That was our game plan coming in. We knew we were going to have to pass the football, but we’re not a very good football team when we have to throw the ball 36 times.”

The Razorbacks struggled to slow Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who churned for 172 yards and 3 touchdowns on a career-high 26 carries.

Vanderbilt Coach Derek Mason made no secret that the Commodores were going to ride Vaughn, saying on Tuesday, “It’s about your dudes touching the ball.”