McFadden Shakes Off Injury

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas running back Darren McFadden's bruised ribs remain sore, but the Heisman Trophy candidate isn't planning to let it slow him down or change his style when the Razorbacks play 22nd-ranked Auburn on Saturday.

"It's real important for me (to play)," McFadden said. "I want to be out there to help my team get these victories. So I feel like with me being on the field it will help us out a whole lot more."

McFadden left the Tennessee-Chattanooga game early because of the injury and had his ribs scanned as a precautionary measure this week. McFadden was held out of Sunday's practice, but has been on the field the past two days and coach Houston Nutt said he is doing well.

The junior will wear a protective vest to help soften the blow to his ribcage and showed it off after Wednesday's practice. McFadden said he's getting used to the extra equipment and won't know how effective it is until he takes a hit Saturday.

"I don't think it will affect me too much," McFadden said of his bruised ribs. "It will be more of a mental block. Once I get over that, I think I'll be all right."

McFadden -- who has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in two games against Auburn -- will also continue his quest for the school's career rushing record. He is 32 yards shy of passing Ben Cowins, who ran for 3,570 yards in his career.

The SEC's leading rusher had a chance to break the record in Little Rock, but left the game after the first play of the fourth quarter. It was the second time this season McFadden hasn't finished a game because of an injury.

But McFadden, whose hard-nose style has led to a concussion and bruised ribs this season, is hoping to be on the field throughout Saturday's game.

"It's real frustrating to me not being able to finish a game," McFadden said. "But it's something I know you have to deal with in football so I don't let it get to me."