July 31, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -Arkansas coach Houston Nutt heard the news shortly before dawn, when he received a text message from Darren McFadden.

"I thought it was a prank," Nutt said. "I was hoping it was a prank."

Nutt's early wake-up call Saturday was no joke, of course. McFadden, Arkansas' top running back and the 2005 SEC freshman of the year, had dislocated his toe. A police report says he was involved in a fight outside a Little Rock club early that morning.

Nutt talked about McFadden on Monday while hosting a golf tournament in Fayetteville. He said McFadden is despondent over the injury.

"He's devastated," Nutt said. "I think it's sunken in that it's just a terrible, terrible thing."

Players report for preseason camp Thursday and practice begins Saturday. Arkansas has said McFadden is doubtful for the team's season opener against Southern California on Sept. 2, and trainer Dean Weber didn't waver from that assessment Monday.

"I think we'll know more in about two or three weeks," Weber said.

Several other coaches were on hand Monday, including defensive coordinator Reggie Herring. He said having USC in the season opener has helped his team maintain its focus during the offseason.

The Trojans beat Arkansas 70-17 last year.

"The bottom line is, Southern Cal was probably the most humiliating night for me as a coach and possibly for Arkansas as a program," Herring said. "Thank God, in this game you've got a chance to right a wrong."

McFadden was named first-team all-SEC last year after rushing for 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the seventh freshman in Southeastern Conference history to run for 1,000 yards.

In his absence, running backs Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis will have more opportunities. Jones rushed for 626 yards last year as a freshman, and Hillis added 315.

Michael Smith, a 5-foot-7 redshirt freshman, will also compete for carries.