Personally, I enjoyed seeing him strung up due to his 'risks' catching up to him this year.

I do agree that he has contributed to losses, but it's a stretch to say that he is accountable for them. As you demonstrate, it would seem by the numbers that he has been a contributed to more wins than losses.

What is interesting to me here is that I thought Tejada really stunk it up in 2008, but looking at the data if he didn't come through on PATs we wouldn't have had a chance in many of the 2008 games.

To fully judge Tejada, the other factor is kickoffs and starting field position and how it contributes to opponents scoring. I'm sure you're working on those numbers already

Just kidding….

Rivalry games are interesting from a psychological viewpoint. Some are natural in-state contests, while others have developed over a long period of time. Arkansas' long time rival, was of course, Texas, which points out another apsect of rivalry. Sometimes it's so one sided that the rivalry exists only on one side. I came to Arkansas in 1968 and it was my impression, with the exception of the big shootout, Texas did not take the HOGS anymore seriously than other SWC opponents. Texas big rival was, and has always been, A & M. Rivalries take time and ripening, and usually some sort of balance in the wins and losses. When I was a student at LSU the big rivalry game was with Ole Miss (followed by Tulane). Which also points out that rivalries are most heated when students and alumni have some close interaction with their opposites. The fans must hate, really hate, really really hate losing to the rival for bragging rights. Arkansas has benefited from playing lSU the week after their Ole Miss game. Also Arkansas hasn't been in the SEC long enough to develope a serious rivalry, although it may well be heading in that direction with LSU considering the last 5 games. Consider that USC, the other new SEC member, has as its rival Clemson rather than a team from the SEC, a long time interstate foe. Sometimes rivalries are more a reflection of the coaches than fans, strange as that may seem. I think that Ole Miss was sky high for Arkansas because of Nutt, but down for the Egg Bowl. MSU, on the other hand, was more up, from my perspective for Ole Miss. I predicted this and my son-in-law thought I was nutts (play on a word here). Because of Nutt I think that Ole Miss wil become an important rivalry game in the future. But Preparation and attitude cannot be at a peak for every game, so a team can only have 1 or 2, in order to balance the efforts for the full season.

* 2009 — No game won by 1-4 points.

* 2008 — 28-24 win over Western Illinois, 0/0 on FG, 4/4 on XP

* 2008 — 28-27 win over Louisiana-Monroe, 0/2 on FG, 0/1 on XP

* 2008 — 30-23 win over Tulsa, 3/3 on FG, 3/3 on XP (added bc he was a factor)

* 2008 — 31-30 win over LSU, 1/1 on FG, 4/4 on XP

* 2007 — 50-48 win over LSU, 0/0 on FG, 6/6 on XP

So yes, he's helped. But more times than not, he contributed to the loss. I never said he's the reason we lost. My point is that he's not very reliable.

Anyone miss Kendall Trainor?

Tejada did at least kick a successful onside kick in that Miss. State game to give the Hogs a chance. He has kicked those fairly well over the years.

You may recall one of Tejada's misses at Florida from 52 (?) yards out was actually good, but negated due to a penalty, and admittedly Tejada really stunk it up in 2008.

You pointed out our losses, but what would be more interesting is the other side – how many games did we win by 1-4 points where Tejada made a field goal or PATs during any part of the game? Don't forget PATs count too, so you should look at that stat as well.

Man, I feel like I'm Tejada's mom defending him like this – but the point is Tejada isn't the only reason we lost close games..he's a contributor, but to call him out as the cause isn't fair.

I would love to see a day where we have reliable special teams so we don't have to defend our kickers or play around them. We haven't had that in 10-15 years.

* 2009 Loss to Florida, 23-20, Tejada 2/4 on FGs

* 2009 Loss to LSU, 33-30, Tejada 3/4 on FGs

* 2008 Loss to Mississippi State, 31-28, Tejada 0/2 on FGs

* 2007 Loss to Auburn, 9-7, Tejada 0/1 on FGs

I actually can't find a game where he won it, or forced it into OT. Maybe the bowl game soon, or, next year?

Geez, lay off the kid. Owasso's right..all you that get on the kickers should give it a try some time, especially at a difficult angle.

A field goal kicker is one of the most stressful jobs on a football team. You're sitting on the sidelines most of the game then are expected to be a hero every time in the clutch – on the road in the SEC. That's why good ones are very hard to find. Tejada's had a pretty good year – much better than last year.

Instead of Tejada you maybe you should focus on our defensive play calling that gave up 40 passing yards to tie the game. Or maybe our O line for not protecting Mallett better in the first half. Or maybe our recievers for dropping catchable balls in the first half. Or maybe the decision to punt to Holliday? Point being Tejada didn't lose the game for us, the entire team and coaches had a part in it.

Given the close games, proximity, divisional battle, fighting after recruits, etc it's gotta be up there. I just wish it was still on Fridays. Although prime time Sat on ESPN isn't bad either.

I thought Wingo was awesome.

I think Dennis Johnson is underrated as a runningback but the man is a gamer. He had several critical plays including a crucial 3rd down on the last drive where he got extra yardage by pure determination.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Joe Adams is nasty.

Finally, I think something important happened the other night that will go unnoticed because we didn't deliver the win. Our last drive in regulation was a coming of age drive. In a hostile environment, LSU playing great defense, and Mallet and our young offense slugged it out and got the points. That was the best drive we had all season. Not pretty, not smooth, but getting it done.

Is there a more underrated rivalry than Arkansas-LSU? Great game 5 years in a row. Go Hogs!

Personally I tend to lean toward getting Tejada a scholly to UCA. As for Willy; yes, we need more defense. We are small and thin. We do some things that make you scratch your head but, until we have players it is hard to judge. I am happy leaving Willy alone for now.

Mallett will be back. And, we have a good running game. Bobby needs to check his play calling and control his QB a little bit. Mallet worked underneath well against SCar. They both seem too anxious to hit the big 40 yard strike. It will be so much easier in the midst of a complete offense than this way. I hope Bobby really evaluates this in the off season. He is not ready to go 11-1 in the SEC the way he is doing it now. And next year could be his year.

I still think they would have had time to kick a field goal.