LITTLE ROCK — Troy coach Larry Blakeney has figured out a way to deal withDarren McFadden.

“You try not to schedule a team that he’s on,” Blakeney said of theArkansas star.

Too late.

The No. 21 Razorbacks open the season Saturday night against Troy, soMcFadden is Blakeney’s problem this week. The Arkansas running back rushed for1,647 yards last season and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Now he’s eager tostart the encore.

“I’m just real happy this is game week,” McFadden said. “Going againstthe same people over and over — you get tired.”

Arkansas has reason to be tired of the offseason in general. The dramasurrounding coach Houston Nutt has been well documented, and since the start offall practice, the Hogs have lost a couple key players. Marcus Monk — theschool’s career leader in touchdown catches — is out with a knee injury, anddefensive lineman Marcus Harrison was suspended indefinitely after beingarrested last week on drug charges.

McFadden, though, is ready to play, and the Razorbacks can take solace inthat. At this time last year, he was recovering from a toe injury and rushed forjust 42 yards on nine carries in a 50-14 loss to Southern California in the 2006opener.

This season, against different men of Troy, McFadden should have more of animpact.

“He’s a Bo Jackson-type guy … Herschel Walker,” Blakeney said. “He cando all the things that they could do.”

Toward the end of last season, McFadden lined up in the shotgun atquarterback on occasion. He could either pass, run or hand off to Felix Jones,Arkansas’ other 1,000-yard rusher in 2006.

“He can actually throw the football to the people down the field onplay-action stuff,” Blakeney said. “Just a nightmare for opposing coaches iswhat he is.”

David Lee replaced Gus Malzahn as the Razorbacks’ offensive coordinator andis installing a pro-style passing scheme. Arkansas’ passing faltered badly downthe stretch last season as the Razorbacks lost three straight to finish 10-4.

Junior quarterback Casey Dick has appeared in 14 games at Arkansas, but thiswill be his first start in a season opener. Robert Johnson, who started the lasttwo openers, is now a wide receiver. Mitch Mustain, who went 8-0 as a starterlast season, transferred to Southern California after Malzahn — his high schoolcoach — abruptly left the Razorbacks to join the staff at Tulsa.

After Malzahn and Mustain left, Nutt faced a firestorm from some fans andalumni that lasted seemingly for months. Now, he has a more conventionalopponent to focus on — Troy, a Sun Belt Conference team that went 8-5 last yearand routed Rice 41-17 in the New Orleans Bowl.

The Trojans have plenty of experience against BCS conference teams. In athree-week stretch last year, Troy played at Florida State, Georgia Tech andNebraska. The Trojans lost all three games, but only Nebraska blew them out.

“They’re not in awe of any stadium,” Nutt said. “The crowd doesn’t botherthem.”

Troy’s offense features a pair of talented seniors — quarterback OmarHaugabook and running back Kenny Cattouse. Haugabook threw for 2,401 yards and21 touchdowns last season, and Cattouse ran for 810 yards.

Troy’s Gary Banks is also back after 68 catches for 603 yards and eighttouchdowns in 2006.

“The offense they run — it’s a spread offense,” Arkansas cornerbackMatterral Richardson said. “It’s multiple receivers. It’s not what you’re usedto seeing.”

Haugabook is also dangerous with his feet. He rushed for five touchdowns in2006.

“He’s a playmaker. That gives them a chance,” Nutt said. “When you havethat type of athleticism, it gives you a chance.”

Of course, on the topic of athleticism, the conversation often turns toMcFadden. If the Trojans can’t find a way to slow him down, it won’t much matterwhat their offense does.

“You’ve got to tackle well. There’s going to be some 1-on-1opportunities,” Blakeney said. “Everybody’s got responsibility on defense.”

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