Chris Bahn: Razorbacks Respond Well to Petrino's Pressure

FAYETTEVLLE - Each day this week Arkansas players were reminded of what Saturday's game with South Carolina meant. Coach Bobby Petrino had spent the whole lead-up to South Carolina labeling the game as a "must-win."

Bowl eligibility was potentially on the line with only four games remaining and the Razorbacks still needing at least two more victories. Petrino also reminded his players of a renewed emphasis on winning at home.

"We wanted the pressure. We need to get into big games that are must-wins and learn how to prepare and learn how to play," Petrino said. "That was one thing I really wanted to see."

Petrino saw it. So did the 68,865 on hand as well as a regional television audience.

Arkansas responded to Petrino's challenge and more impressively the challenge of an early third quarter deficit, dispatching South Carolina 33-16 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Initially, Petrino's challenge to his team drew some second-guessing. Did the Razorbacks really need any additional pressure? Could they really respond?

Arkansas (5-4 overall, 2-4 in the SEC) didn't responded well the last time Petrino made such a public pronouncement of a game's importance. After spending all summer gearing up for the Fayetteville opener against Georgia, the Razorbacks wound up losing 52-41.

This time around, the Razorbacks didn't crumble under the weight of their coach's expectations. They seemed to relish the opportunity to prove to Petrino they could handle it.

"It's fun when you have pressure," said bruising back Broderick Green, who scored twice. "You have to be able to stand up to it. We did."

Arkansas won the game with something the Razorbacks had rarely done this year. They were patient on offense, eschewing the big, all-or-nothing plays in favor of sustained drives.