Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

11/21/2010 at 2:49am

Image by Mark Wagner

Knile Davis, who ran for a season-high 187 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, displayed improved maturity for Arkansas (9-2, 4-2). That was clear on Saturday against the Bulldogs (7-3, 4-3) with the way he handled his first two fumbles of the season.

STARKVILLE, Miss. — A second fumble could have easily been the end to Knile Davis’ night for No. 13 Arkansas. Davis couldn’t hang onto the football and allowed No. 21 Mississippi State what could have been a game-winning possession in the final minutes of the fourth quarter Saturday night at Scott Field.

Who could have blamed Arkansas coaches for going a different direction?

Not to mention Davis had to be consoled by his teammates on the sidelines after the second turnover. As the Razorbacks had seen in practice, the emotional Davis rarely bounced back after big mistakes. When he messed up, it usually meant a funk was coming and production was ending.

But Davis bounced back after the Arkansas defense held strong and gave up only a field goal to send the game into overtime. He didn’t let the mistake define him or the Razorbacks’ evening. Instead, Davis shook it off to catch the game-winning touchdown pass as Arkansas won 38-31 in a second overtime.

“It’s good to see him continue to battle,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “I remember early in the year he made a couple mistakes in a game and he kind of lost it on the sideline. Tonight he was under control, he knew we had his back and he finished with a touchdown.”

Davis, who ran for a season-high 187 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, displayed improved maturity for Arkansas (9-2, 4-2). That was clear on Saturday against the Bulldogs (7-3, 4-3) with the way he handled his first two fumbles of the season.

And Davis was just one example of how far the entire team has come this year. Tested on the road in a big game in front of a charged-up crowd and a team that frustrated them at every turn, Arkansas didn’t lose its cool in the end.

“I’m proud of our team,” Coach Bobby Petrino said. “They just battled.”

Thanks to the victory the Razorbacks remain in contention for a Top 10 ranking. There is still an outside shot at making a Sugar Bowl, though winning against No. 5 LSU is a must. Neither would be possible if the team hadn’t proven more resilient than Mississippi State.

“It was a hard fight to the end,” Davis said.

Was Davis talking about himself or the team? Either way he was right.

Arkansas extended its lead to 31-21 on Davis’ one-yard run with 10:06 remaining. Mississippi State scored 10 unanswered to send the game into overtime, including a final touchdown form Vick Ballard. Later, Ballard would fumble the ball away in the second extra period and give the Arkansas offense one last chance to prove it was better than it showed much of the night.

That was especially true for Davis, who was superb most of the evening. He became the 10^th Razorback to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. It’s an impressive plateau to reach especially when you consider Davis had 20 combined carries over the first four games.

Davis, like the Razorbacks, is peaking at the right time. He was unsure of himself early in the season, but has improved each week. Arkansas has done the same, reeling off five consecutive victories after losing at No. 1 Auburn on Oct. 16.

Not letting himself become so emotional that he became ineffective was a great example. He couldn’t remember much of what teammates told him after his second fumble other than “hold onto the ball.”

Davis had mixed emotions. He nearly cost the team, but he made up for it when provided the opportunity.

“I don’t know whether to be happy or be sad, you know? I don’t like fumbling the ball. I take that very serious,” Davis said. “We came out with the win, so I guess that’s better than anything.”

Arkansas players and coaches all had similar feelings. Mississippi State held the ball nearly 15-minutes longer. The Bulldogs forced three turnovers. Arkansas had 61 offensive plays to their opponent's 100.

It was hardly the Razorbacks’ best effort. Still, it was good enough for them to improve to 3-1 on the road in the SEC.

McGee offered up his thoughts on a wild night in Starkville. Of course, he could have easily been talking about the Razorbacks or their top running back.

“I think it’s poise,” McGee said. “I think it’s that core confidence and toughness I’ve been talking about. Never getting too high. Never getting too low, just playing the game the right way on a consistent basis. It’s starting to show up.”

Tagged: Garick McGee, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Knile Davis, Bobby Petrino, Arkansas Razorbacks