Arkansas Tailback Earns Right To Sit Out

FAYETTEVILLE -- It was a game designed to pad the stats and get out of harms way before something bad happened.

That plan worked perfectly Saturday night and Arkansas junior tailback Felix Jones was one of many who benefited.

While Arkansas continued to maul North Texas en route to a 66-7 win in Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Jones strolled the sidelines the entire second half.

He already had done enough.

In the first half, Jones, a 6-foot, 207 pounder, rushed for 132 yards on only seven carries and scored two touchdowns. It was his 10th 100-yard rushing game of his career.

"I knew I was done at halftime," Jones said. "Coach had told us, me and Darren (McFadden), we had had a great first half. He just wanted to keep us healthy, so we just sat out.

"He let some of the other players get some time. I like what we seen from the other guys. It was good to get the rest, too.

"We're looking forward to getting more of it."

Most of Jones' yardage came on one terrific play.

With 7 minutes, 6 seconds left before halftime, he broke a couple of tackles while breaking out of a traffic jam in the middle of the line, then tight-roped the right sideline around midfield and broke off a 71-yard touchdown run.

"Oh man, he pretty much did that one on his own," Arkansas offensive tackle Nate Garner said. "He had a couple of guys on him, then broke loose and used his speed and agility.

"It blew me away."

At one point during the run, Jones flirted with stepping out of bounds.

"I knew ... I seen my footsteps and I knew I was in bounds," Jones said. "I mean, it was a matter of concentrating on what I was doing while I was running.



"When I started the play, I was just trying to break something off and make something happen. I just got some room and took off.

"It all worked out."