FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - Arkansas running back Mark Pierce has left the team, at least temporarily, and coach Houston Nutt says he doesn't know whether the junior will be back for pre-season drills. <br>
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``Mark Pierce has had a lot of issues,'' Nutt said. ``His father passed away, and it has been a very tough last six months. He is dealing with some things.'' <br>
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Nutt said Pierce is in good academic standing, and could play in the coming season. Pierce also could be redshirted, Nutt said. <br>
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At a meeting of The Associated Press Arkansas Sportswriters Association on Wednesday, Nutt said he is hopeful. <br>
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``We're hoping he'll be back,'' Nutt told the association. ``We have a lot of confidence that he will. He's got a lot of problems right now. Debbie Pierce, Mark's mother, was very adamant. They're nervous. They know how rumors fly. They just want some privacy. It's a family matter.'' <br>
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Nutt said Tuesday that Pierce could still play this season. <br>
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``Mark Pierce might be back here and ready to go by next week, but I don't know that,'' Nutt said. ``I know that some things are heavily, heavily wrong and (they are) some things professionals need to deal with.'' <br>
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Last season, Pierce started nine of the Razorbacks' 14 games. He rushed for six touchdowns, and gained 204 yards on 37 carries. He caught 10 passes for 104 yards and a pair of TDs. <br>
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Arkansas opens its season Sept. 6 against Tulsa at Fayetteville.
