Football supplants sideshow, for afternoon
FAYETTEVILLE — Awash with a glowing sun and an abundance of happy fans, the three-week shadow was slim to none.
Motorcycle wrecks, tall blondes and all the sordid details that Jeff Long and the University of Arkansas refused to sweep under the carpet were, at least for the day, forgotten.
It will be remembered, especially next season when the Razorbacks play on TV — it might never be forgotten by ESPN — but Saturday was a day for healing and callimg the Hogs.
A time to honor the players who have refused to let the sad and unsettling facts disturb their mission.
A time to thank the assistant coaches who kept their noses down and their heads up as they held a program together on and off the field.
Even a time to think about the future of the Razorbacks program, and for more than just the 2012 season.
It was obvious after walking through the crowd and visiting with friends that they are trusting Long’s decision about what to do and who will do it.
If Long decides to go with a new head coach, all are hoping for a proven winner.
Most have not given up hope that Jon Gruden is actually a player in the search. That the man who has almost replaced John Madden in television popularity, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Bucs, would be the head Hog.
Maybe it is a long shot, but money won’t be a problem. This isn’t like the days before the latest SEC television contracts with CBS and ESPN.
That money was what enabled Long to raise the salary range to $3.5 million, and Gruden would be worth even more.
Yet, the most common theme Saturday was a celebration of everything Razorbacks.
It was a family reunion that brought in fans from Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. There were games for the kids, pictures to be taken and football to watch.
It was a lively and loud crowd of 45,250.
It might not have been a real-game atmosphere or experience, but it was close. There was a band, cheerleaders, the pom team, a National Anthem and a team divided only for purposes of a scrimmage.
For some fans in the stands, it might be as close as they’ll ever get to a game, and from the time the players ran onto the field to warm up the reception was enthusiastic and there was no sign of a lack of leadership.
Every player and coach knew what to do and where to go.
There was a sharpness to the players’ approach to a game that only counts in the locker room where bragging rights begin and end.
Brandon Mitchell’s passing has really improved. Brandon Allen is a pure quarterback with a quick release and zip to spare.
Tyler Wilson looked off two receivers and hit the third choice more than once.
Knile Davis started, but he was a downfield decoy. Everyone knows you don’t get your All-america running back reinjured in an exhibition game.
On the field it was what you would expect as the veteran red team dominated. The white team showed some nervousness early.
Mostly, though, it was what was expected from a team of disciplined coaches and players.
There was no headline hangover. No one saying anything that didn’t include the word team. Some national media joined the regulars, and everyone knows a team is always more than one head coach.
And that no coach is bigger than a program. Not at Ohio State, Penn State, North Carolina or Arkansas.
Saturday was Razorfest, a day to do what the Razorbacks Nation does best, which is show total support and loyalty for their team.