Published December 20, 2010 - 2:05pm
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Since Knile Davis arrived on campus at the University of Arkansas, life has been frustrating for the 4-star back from Texas. Soon after committing to be a Razorback, his entrance was trumped by the transfer of Broderick Green from USC and the signing of a more highly touted running back in Ronnie Wingo Jr. Davis graduated early and moved to Fayetteville in January to be ready for Spring Practice. Unfortunately, after a week of practice, Davis broke his collar bone and had to sit out until the fall.
Davis never waivered in his decision to be a Hog, but with Michael Smith, Wingo, Green, De’Anthony Curtis, and Dennis Johnson all sharing time in the backfield with him, Davis knew it would be very difficult to see much playing time in his freshmen campaign. Davis played through some more injuries his freshmen year and always ran hard when his number was called, but he received only 33 carries and averaged right around 5 yards a pop.
Once Michael Smith had graduated from school, the backfield opened up a little more. Dennis Johnson was lost for the season only a few games in, and Knile Davis was finally able to get his much needed carries. For some reason, Bobby Petrino stuck with Broderick “chubby” Green for the first half of the season, and it ultimately cost the Razorbacks at least one win (possibly two because Green had a miserable game against Auburn that included a game altering fumble that lead to an Auburn TD return). Davis did not complain even though anyone that watched Green take 8 seconds to hit the hole, knew he wasn’t worth the “charmin that he wipes his butt with.”
Knile finally had a big run against Texas A&M, and he never slowed down. After compiling 82 yards on 10 carries against the Aggies, Petrino continued adding to his work-load with fourteen carries for 91yeards at Auburn and twenty-two carries for 176 against that sweaty son of a bitch Houston Nutt. Knile finished the season with 4 straight games gaining over 100 yards against some of the nations top teams (3 of these 4 teams are currently ranked in the BCS Top 25, and they were all ranked in the Top 18 when the game was played).
The Buckeyes and E. Gordon Gee believe that they have faced a real schedule this season, and that their defensive statistics aren’t a complete joke to this point. Ohio St. continues to brag about their defense against the pass and how it’s so highly ranked. Well, Ryan Mallett and crew are up for the challenge, but the two-headed monster directed by Bobby Petrino is more than Ryan Mallett, Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Cobi Hamilton, and DJ Williams. Ask LSU, and their number one ranked run defense which saw Arkansas two days after Thanksgiving. Knile Davis compiled 152 yards on 30 carries only week after thrashing Mississippi St. for 187 on the same number of touches.
Arkansas finally has its running back, and that is not good news for the Buckeyes and their overrated defense. Arkansas does not intend to drop the ball on the SEC’s undefeated record against Ohio St. in bowl games, and Knile Davis is the reason the Hogs are confident. The Sugar Bowl will be rocking on January 4th, and the River Knile will be running all over those Buckeyes. I just wish E. Gordon Gee were on the field to take a stiff arm from the River Knile on his way to the end zone.
Really? That is your astute analysis of the affect Knile Davis will have on the Sugar Bowl? I’m not a fan of the Hogs or Buckeyes so I don’t really have a dog in this fight. But I will say that if Saturday Down South strives to be the preeminent landing place for SEC fans, then they might start with editing. I’ve seen better insight on chat boards at 3am after a loss to a directional school. Stats anyone can find in 5 minutes? Check. Juvenile vitriol towards others teams and coaches not associated with the game? Check. Completely lacking in the “why” aspects that might give this article a fighting chance? Check.
SDS, please find somebody with some writing chops who didn’t hone their skills waiting for their 15 seconds on the phone with Jim Rome. Weak.
Alabama fan who is bitter because their Crimson Tide isn’t in a BCS bowl this year? Check.
As an SEC fan, I have to say that after my Bulldogs, I’m pulling for Arkansas the hardest. Hopefully Ohio State will be trounced by the 2nd place SEC team this year, and then by the 3rd best team next year, then the 4th and so on. Eventually we’ll find out what their place in the SEC would be. I’m guessing it would be just slightly north of Kentucky when they’re having a good year.
Great story, Brad. Arkansas actually had a fourth quarter lead against both Alabama and Auburn, and turnovers late sealed the loss in both games. Ohio State will be playing against an underrated, highly motivated Arkansas team. Good luck in Nawlins!!!
“Great Story, Brad” What!? It’s sad you consider this a story.
trying to throw the ball out of bounds and letting up on the tide shouldnt have happen and 1bad penatly on pass interferance 1horrible fumable call and 1missed fumable call .know this doesnt mean arkansas would have won the game against auburn ,but it defiantly would have changed the game and who knows maybe a 12-0 teams .i dont think some of the ohio st fans realise how close this team was to being 12-0 agaisnt some tough sec teams
Dude, please look at the facts. First of all, you don’t mention that Arkansas is 0-3 vs big ten teams. Second, our defense isn’t overrated. If being 2nd in the nation in scoring defense is overrated, I don’t know what is. Arkansas defense is not good. 65 points to Auburn. That = wet paper towel status. Having to score under the final minute to beat a 6-6 Georgia team. Ryan Mallet is a statue(granted with a rocket arm) that collapses under pressure. Last drive against Bama to try to tie/win, he threw a bad pick. Mallet transfered to Michigan so he didn’t have to face Big Ten defenses.
Nice read and a very positive piece for your Hog nation readers. Lets talk facts about your Hogs.. You are exactly 6-21 in bowl or championship games in the last thirty one years. You beat a couple of traditional powers in Florida in 82, Arizona State in 85, Texas in 99, and Mizzou in 03. You then highlighted your resume with stunning wins against Tulane in 80 and the massive win versus East Carolina in 2009. Our record is not without it’s monumental losses to the schools of the poor, see the liberty bowl loss to Air Force or the back to back losses to South Cackalackie. Do me a favor and drop the whole brave face for the SEC. tOSU has taken it’s lumps to the LSU’s, Florida’s, Bama’s and Tennessee’s of the SEC………but UA is not that caliber a program.
homer
I love how Hog fans like to claim the SEC’s winning streak against OSU. 0-9 lets be real. Some of those games were in the early 1900′s. Tressel and the current Buckey organization is 0-3 against the SEC and even though that sucks big ones, none of those teams were Arkansas! In fact Arkansas has never even been to a BCS bowl. All I hear from you is noise and way too much of it.
All I got to say is on Jan 1 I watched these “great Big 11″ teams go 0-5……….as SEC dominated 3-0. Ohio St is no different. You guys are sadly mistaken if you think you could have done better against a Cam Newton , Pryor talking all this crap in the media, he may get a few yards but at the end of the day T the 2 faced ” I’m coming back “Prior will be wishing he could hold #15 jock as Ryan will pass for over 300 and have 3 tds……..and K Davis …ha you have not faced a running back like this. I give you that our D can be better, but if a shoot out is what you want well, be careful what you wish for. When you smash mouth football with the SEC you get hurt, I don’t condone player injury but in the Bama and Miss st game your” Big 11″ players were dropping like flies.