Beast of burden

Hefty load can’t slow Hogs back

Arkansas running back Alex Collins looks for running room on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, during the third quarter against Missouri at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas running back Alex Collins looks for running room on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, during the third quarter against Missouri at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Through a season full of injuries for Arkansas tailbacks, Alex Collins has kept running and running and running.

Collins did it again Friday when he rushed a career-high 30 times for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns in Arkansas' 28-3 victory over Missouri at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

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"They were doing a lot to try to stop our run game, but Alex kept breaking tackles and moving the ball," Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen said. "He was making people miss, but he was getting those tough yards when we needed them, too."

Collins and Jonathan Williams were both 1,000-yard rushers for the Razorbacks last season, but Williams has been sidelined since suffering a broken foot in August.

Then junior tailback Kody Walker was sidelined two games into the season by a wrist injury. When Walker came back against Auburn, freshman Rawleigh Williams suffered a season-ending neck injury.

The injuries have forced Collins to carry a larger burden than expected.

"Everybody's depending on you," Collins said. "Not just the offense or the team, but the fans, the whole state. You've got step up."

Friday was the ninth game this season in which Collins rushed for more than 100 yards. His season totals are 243 carries for 1,393 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Collins has tied James Rouse (17 in 1987) for second on Arkansas' season rushing touchdowns list and is two behind the school record of 19 set by Bill Burnett in 1969.

"A.C. is amazing," Razorbacks guard Sebastian Tretola said. "What he does and how fast he moves is crazy. To have nine 100-yard rushing games, a lot of that is on him."

It rained throughout Friday's game, as was forecast, and the Razorbacks' game plan was built around Collins carrying the ball.

"I grabbed Alex in pregame and I told him, 'Hey, if the weather pans out the way it looks, we're going to ride you my friend,' " Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. "It was fun to see him have that game."

Collins is among the Arkansas juniors who could enter the NFL Draft. Bielema said he'll talk with Collins today about his future plans and submit paper to NFL officials for a draft evaluation.

"I know he was a little emotional before the game," Bielema said. "I think he really felt the vibe of this could be his last game. If it is, it is, and we'll wish him the best. But there's a lot of conversation between now and then."

Collins said he hasn't made a decision about the whether to enter the draft or return for his senior season.

"I haven't really thought much on it yet," he said. "I'll talk to my family a little bit, and when that time comes I'll focus on it. But I'm preparing for the bowl game now."

Collins said his pregame emotions were more about knowing Friday was his last home game with Arkansas' seniors.

"I could always come back and play again and have more opportunities here in the stadium, but that was their last time," Collins said. "It just felt like we were playing for them, trying to give them a win in their last home game."

Allen said he's seen Collins mature this season, especially after Jonathan Williams' injury.

"It's a night-and-day difference from where it was, which is huge for him and our team," Allen said. "He can have all the success in the world and it's not going to go to his head."

Collins said the credit for his success goes to his blockers, the receivers and tight ends and fullbacks as well as the offensive linemen.

"They were doing their job and making it easier for us running the ball," Collins said. "There were plays where we didn't get touched for four or five yards.

"I credit them for every yard I've gotten. Without them blocking the right people, I wouldn't have had one yard."

Collins said he felt fine after 30 carries, which were two more than his previous career high of 28 against Texas Tech in the third game this season.

"They called my number, and I played to the best of my ability," Collins said. "I feel good getting as many carries as they want me to have."

Sports on 11/28/2015

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