Arkansas faces 'must-win' vs. South Carolina

• By NOAH TRISTER
• AP sportswriter
• Published: Nov 7, 2009

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — One team is trying to prove it will be threat in the Southeastern Conference. The other hopes to avoid another late-season swoon.

When Arkansas hosts South Carolina today in Fayetteville, both coaches will have plenty to be anxious about. The Razorbacks are playing well offensively but have only one SEC win to show for it. The Gamecocks started 5-1 before losing two of their last three games.

“It is a must-win for us,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said.

“We need to go out and execute and perform on the field on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.”

The Razorbacks were expected to improve after missing the postseason in 2008, and in many ways they have. Ryan Mallett leads the SEC in passing, and Arkansas has scored over 40 points in every home game.

Still, the Hogs (4-4, 1-4 SEC) have work to do if they want to assure themselves a bowl bid.

Earlier this season, Arkansas was at a crossroads after losing to Georgia and Alabama. The Razorbacks responded with convincing wins over Texas A&M and Auburn, and they nearly upset Florida.

With a young core of offensive talent, Arkansas appeared to be moving in the right direction.

Then came an ugly 30-17 loss to Ole Miss. Petrino juggled his starting lineup for last weekend’s easy victory over Eastern Michigan, saying he’d have no patience for a lack of effort in practice.

With three more home games coming up, the Hogs have a chance to finish strong.

“We’ve been through a lot and we’ve stuck together,” Petrino said. “We’ve had our ups. We’ve had our downs. We’ve had guys that keep getting everybody together.”

South Carolina (6-3, 3-3) started strong, but the Gamecocks could use a victory this weekend to avoid a familiar November feeling. South Carolina was 7-3 before losing its final three games of last season, and dropped its final five games of 2007 to finish 6-6.

“Right now we’re just focused,” receiver Tori Gurley said. “Some people like bringing up the past, but we can only worry about the present and that’s Arkansas.”