McFadden Does All He Can

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Darren McFadden did almost everything in his power to help bring Arkansas back from the dead Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

If he only could have done just a little bit more.

Even in a 41-38 losing effort, McFadden was again marvelous. With a career-high 33 carries, 195 yards rushing and two touchdowns, the Heisman Trophy hopeful did nothing to disappoint the 92,138 in attendance in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

But it was what McFadden couldn't do near the end that possibly stood out the most.

After taking a pounding on 33 totes, McFadden had finally had enough. And just as Arkansas was trying to hold onto a late lead, the junior was noticeably absent, sitting on the sideline with a slight concussion.

"I got my bell rung and I was feeling a little dizzy," McFadden said. "... It was one of those situations where I wanted to go, but at the same time they kept telling me I didn't need to be out there."

It likely meant the diference in what would have been one of the greatest comebacks ever for the Razorbacks, who trailed by 21 points twice in the game.

With Arkansas clinging to a 38-34 lead and with the ball, just one or two first downs likely would have sealed the win.

But McFadden was done for the night.

"He's the best player in the country and when you don't have the best player in the country, you have some doubts out there," Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis said. "But that was still on the offense. We stepped out of bounds, everybody didn't click like we needed to and we just didn't do what we needed."

With McFadden on the field, the Razorbacks somehow found a way back in the game after falling behind 21-0 and 31-10. And led by their bruising leader, Arkansas nearly pulled it off.

"I don't know what your opinion of a good back is, but I'm going to give you mine," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "No. 5 (McFadden) and No. 25 (Jones) are great backs right there."

No doubt, McFadden is a great back. Maybe the best in the country like Hillis suggests.

But without their star at the end, the Razorbacks just couldn't hold on.

"I would have had him out there if I could," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "But the doctors didn't think it would be very wise to have him out there when you have a concussion like that."