Chris Bahn: Razorbacks Do It For Ailing Robinson

Senior night. Pride. Bowl eligibility. The fact that losing isn't much fun.

Arkansas needed and wanted a victory Saturday against Troy for any number of reasons. There was one that stood out in particular.

Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson missed the game after being hospitalized and undergoing treatment for what the school called "an infection." Players elected Friday night in their final team meeting to dedicate the game to Robinson, who was rushed to Washington Regional Hospital in an ambulance earlier in the day.

When you dedicate the game to somebody, well, you'd better win.

Arkansas did it convincingly, dispatching Troy 56-20.

"That was a great job of taking care of business after dedicating the game to coach Robinson," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. "It was kind of a scary day on Friday. We're happy everything is good there."

Robinson, 53, was said to be home resting comfortably on Saturday. It probably helped that the team clinched bowl eligibility and the Razorback defense continued its recent trend of giving up yards, but not points.

Arkansas allowed Troy to pile up 455 yards of total offense. Yet the Trojans could manage only 20 points, were shut out in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over four times.

Linebackers coach Reggie Johnson had the task of play calling for the defense. He remained in the coaches box and operated from his usual spot above the field, while defensive line coach Kirk Botkin communicated to players at field-level.

Johnson found out Friday afternoon he'd be the "defensive coordinator" for the game. He learned the news from Petrino just a couple hours after Robinson was taken to the hospital.