NCAA FB

Arkansas coach says team can still reach bowl

Share This Story

Updated Sep 24, 2012 3:43 PM ET
     
 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)

Pleading with Razorback fans to not give up after a 1-3 start to a season that some had expected to yield a national championship, Arkansas coach John L. Smith said Monday that he still believes his team could reach a bowl game.

Speaking to reporters ahead of an appearance at the Little Rock Touchdown Club, the interim coach said his team needs to demonstrate confidence and consistency to win in a season that he thinks could still result in a bowl appearance.

''We need to get a win to get that confidence back,'' said Smith, whose team had been expected to challenge for the SEC title and possibly the national championship.

Smith's attempts to boost the spirits of the fan base during his luncheon speech faltered, however, when he mistakenly referred to Arkansas as Alabama - home of the No. 1 team that shut out the Razorbacks 52-0.

''Don't give up on us. It's our program, it's a state of Alabama program,'' Smith said, prompting groans throughout the packed room. ''It's not one individual's program.''

When the gaffe was pointed out moments later, Smith responded: ''I did? Where would that come from? I've never even heard of Alabama.''

Arkansas' next five games are against unranked teams, but the Razorbacks close the season with No. 6 South Carolina, No. 21 Mississippi State and No. 3 LSU. The Razorbacks must win five of its remaining eight games to become bowl-eligible.

The team opened with a victory over Jacksonville State, but after quarterback Tyler Wilson suffered a head injury against Louisiana-Monroe, the Razorbacks lost in overtime to the Warhawks. Then came the walloping by Alabama.

Wilson returned for this weekend's game against Rutgers - a week after complaining that perhaps some of his teammates weren't giving their all - but the Razorbacks lost 35-26.

''Now Tyler's back, hopefully we can start building that consistency and with consistency will come confidence. With a win, it will definitely help confidence,'' Smith said.

Smith, who formerly coached Michigan State and Louisville, was brought on for an interim basis in April after Bobby Petrino was fired for hiring his mistress and lying about her presence at a motorcycle accident.

Smith said he doesn't think his interim status has impeded his coaching abilities nor the team's recruiting efforts.

''You're not committing to me. You're not committing to an individual. You're not committing to these coaches,'' Smith said, referring to the way recruits are courted. ''You're committing to this university and this program. Take a look at what we have here, take a look at what is coming and if you can't buy into that, then don't commit.''

Arkansas plays at SEC newcomer Texas A&M on Saturday.

The Razorbacks finished last season ranked No. 5, losing only to national champion Alabama and runner-up LSU.

Smith said their current record is painful for a team and a fan base that had lofty hopes.

''As fans, you deserve better. You're invested more,'' Smith said during his speech to the club. ''Our players deserve better. We all are working our tail off to make sure that it is better. Understand that. We're in as much pain as everybody is out there.''

---

Andrew DeMillo can be reached at www.twitter.com/ademillo

Tagged: Arkansas, Alabama, Tyler Wilson

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Football


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

HBO Real Sports: Bill O'Brien Posted: May 20, 2013
Penn State coach and 2012 National Coach of the Year shares the challenges in tu...

Horrow: College Football Business Report Posted: May 20, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news.

Horrow: CFB Business Report Posted: May 13, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news, including a TV deal b...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/759777/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_759000/ff_759777_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Michigan_State_Spartans/browse/featuredproduct/760171/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_760000/ff_760171_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White
    Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/761373/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_761000/ff_761373_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/829709/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829709_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimso..
    Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/829740/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829740_xl.jpg&w=100 49.99 Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple
    Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_Sooners/browse/featuredproduct/830935/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830935_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/861243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861243_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/861247/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861247_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapback Hat - Charcoal/Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1087345/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1087000/ff_1087345_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapba..
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1093431/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1093000/ff_1093431_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft