Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis were dangerous running backs, capable of backing up Darren McFadden while also filling other roles.
Then McFadden hurt his toe, and everything changed.
``A lot of people would love to have Peyton Hillis and Felix Jones,'' Nutt said. ``Boy I'm really thankful we have those quality backs, otherwise you'd really be scared to death.''
With McFadden doubtful for Arkansas' season opener against Southern California on Sept. 2, Jones and Hillis are preparing to be featured more in the backfield. McFadden had surgery July 29 for a dislocated toe a police report said he was in a fight outside a club early that morning. His backups were among the first to find out that day.
``Coach Nutt called me and said I needed to step up,'' Hillis said. ``Hearing about his injury just made me sick. It's just a bad thing for a guy like him to go down.''
Jones and Hillis were in the spotlight at the start of last year, too. In a season-opening win over Missouri State, Hillis ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns, and Jones added 137 yards and an 80-yard score.
But McFadden quickly moved to the forefront with his blazing speed and ability to break away for long runs. He ended up winning Southeastern Conference freshman of the year honors with 1,113 yards rushing.
Jones, McFadden's classmate, finished with 626 yards on the ground and made his mark by averaging 31.9 yards on kickoff returns. Hillis ran for 315 yards and led the Razorbacks with 38 catches.
Nutt says the two will be counted on to run the ball more because of McFadden's injury, and he is hopeful they can still be successful in their other roles as well.
``He's still one of our best receivers,'' Nutt said of Hillis. ``He will still be involved in a role outside of tailback. How much is going to depend on the flow of the game, how things are going, how Felix is doing.''
It might also depend on how quickly redshirt freshman Michael Smith progresses. Smith pulled his hamstring in preseason last fall, but the tailback impressed coaches in the spring.
``He's made some awfully good runs. He's shown some quickness, he's very elusive, he's done some good things,'' Nutt said. ``That will allow us to do more things with Peyton. He's a key component if we can keep him healthy.''
If Smith can produce, Nutt will have a third option out of the backfield and all three are different types of players. The 5-foot-7 Smith is the smallest of the bunch, whereas the 6-foot-2, 238-pound Hillis can play more like a fullback. The 6-foot, 208-pound Jones is like a slightly shorter version of McFadden.
And the new keys to Arkansas' backfield don't appear lacking in confidence. Hillis says the Razorbacks should win no fewer than eight games they went 4-7 last year but return 19 starters. Jones is eagerly eyeing the opener against the USC team that beat Arkansas 70-17 in 2005.
Jones was one of the few bright spots in that game for the Razorbacks with a 67-yard kickoff return that helped set up a touchdown.
``I'm hoping they remember me, but I'm planning on putting some more memories in their minds,'' he said.
Nutt is less brash. He knows McFadden will be missed if he can't play. The Arkansas coach is just glad to have reinforcements waiting for a chance.
``Felix is a very patient runner. Maybe not the home-run hitter Darren McFadden is, but he's right there,'' Nutt said. ``You add Peyton Hillis in the mix, that's a different kind of back to tackle. That's two excellent tailbacks that we're going to need on the field, and I'm excited about their season.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/8/106208