Mustain Does Not Mean Immediate Success
Here we go, time for my first Hog Blog post!!!! What better way to start things off than addressing the hottest topic out there. The Mitch Mustain era began in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game with USC, and it began in classic Mustain style. Mitch took his first snap as a Hog on Arkansas's own twenty yard line. Five plays later he scored his first touchdown in a Razorback uniform and a little more than twelve hours later Houston Nutt named Mitch the new starting quarterback.
That's quite a ride for the 18 year old and now he holds the most pressured position in Arkansas sports (besides the one Houston holds now). I know it's hard to do after two loosing seasons, but Hog fans need to be patient with the "Future of Razorback Football". No doubt this offense will be more productive with Mustain behind center, but immediate success is not a given(Utah State does not count).
I see this year's offense going through what last year's defense experienced. Reggie Herring was installing a new defense with inexperienced guys. We all know how that started out(70-17), but they improved each week and in their last game of '05 held LSU to just 19 points. That's the same LSU team that blew up Miami a month later in their bowl game.
Now, Guz Malzahn is installing his new offense and growing pains will be present, but I do see the offense improving at a quicker pace than Herring's boys did last year. Mustain's first drive as a Razorback was a glimpse into the future for Hog fans, but we can't expect that everytime out especially once SEC play rolls around. There will be freshman mistakes and a few road bumbs with the new offense. If the defense can shoulder the load early in the season, Mustain could be leading one of the most dangerous offenses in the SEC. In order for that to happen, McFadden will have to be 100%, Felix will have to hold on to the ball, Hillis will have to be more involved, the receivers will have to catch, and Hog fans will have to be patient......Just not too patient!!!!
Beau
That's quite a ride for the 18 year old and now he holds the most pressured position in Arkansas sports (besides the one Houston holds now). I know it's hard to do after two loosing seasons, but Hog fans need to be patient with the "Future of Razorback Football". No doubt this offense will be more productive with Mustain behind center, but immediate success is not a given(Utah State does not count).
I see this year's offense going through what last year's defense experienced. Reggie Herring was installing a new defense with inexperienced guys. We all know how that started out(70-17), but they improved each week and in their last game of '05 held LSU to just 19 points. That's the same LSU team that blew up Miami a month later in their bowl game.
Now, Guz Malzahn is installing his new offense and growing pains will be present, but I do see the offense improving at a quicker pace than Herring's boys did last year. Mustain's first drive as a Razorback was a glimpse into the future for Hog fans, but we can't expect that everytime out especially once SEC play rolls around. There will be freshman mistakes and a few road bumbs with the new offense. If the defense can shoulder the load early in the season, Mustain could be leading one of the most dangerous offenses in the SEC. In order for that to happen, McFadden will have to be 100%, Felix will have to hold on to the ball, Hillis will have to be more involved, the receivers will have to catch, and Hog fans will have to be patient......Just not too patient!!!!
Beau
posted by Beau McCastlain at 4:10 PM
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