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Knile Davis admitted to some frustration.
Not only does the Arkansas sophomore share time in a multi-running back system, he's also part of a rushing attack that has been overshadowed at times this season - even by his own coaches.
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said he's overlooked the run game at times this season in favor of the Razorbacks' prolific passing attack, led by junior quarterback Ryan Mallett. Davis, for one, hopes he can put the Arkansas run game back on Petrino's radar as the No. 11 Razorbacks prepare to face Texas A&M in Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.
''My main thing is getting confidence from coach Petrino,'' Davis said.
''He's confident now throwing the ball, and I want to build his confidence in the run game. That's what I'm working on; making him feel comfortable calling that running play.''
Arkansas (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) averaged 131.8 yards per game rushing last season on 4.3 yards per carry and ran the ball an average of 30.4 times. This year, the Razorbacks are down in both attempts (25.5) per game and yards per carry (4.0), and their total rushing yards (103) per game ranks last in the SEC.
''We just have to run the ball more,'' Petrino said. ''That's up to me to get us more runs called, to run it more, get into a rhythm and have confidence in it and force the issue.''
Despite the limited rushing attempts, Arkansas still ranks second in the SEC in total offense at 468 yards a game. That output is bolstered by a league-best average of 365 yards passing.
However, after taking a 20-7 lead over No. 1 Alabama in the third quarter Saturday, Arkansas was unable to hold on and effectively put the game away on the ground. The Razorbacks rushed for just 64 yards on 20 attempts in the loss - including just once for 4 yards in the fourth quarter.
''Obviously, you've got to play to your strengths, and we've got a pretty good quarterback who can throw it,'' Arkansas running backs coach Tim Horton said. '' ... I think you want to do what helps you win football games.
''Obviously, the other day in the fourth quarter against Alabama with the lead, we would have liked to have been able to run the ball and run out the clock. We weren't able to for a variety of reasons.''
Mallett threw two of his three interceptions in that fourth quarter, during which the Crimson Tide completed the 24-20 comeback win.
''If it was up to me, we'd throw it every down. That's any quarterback,'' said Mallet when asked if the lack of a running back puts additional pressure on him. ''But you've got to get a good running game going, and we're working on one.''
Arkansas used the committee approach at running back last season, something it's continued this year. It started the year with four backs rotating carries, but junior Dennis Johnson suffered a bowel injury in the second game against Louisiana-Monroe and is still out.
Johnson remains the team leader in yards per attempt (9.2), but that's on just 9 carries. The other three Arkansas running backs - Davis, Ronnie Wingo Jr. and Broderick Green - have combined to average 4.4 yards per carry and 82.8 yards per game on the ground.
Davis was the lone bright spot on the ground for Arkansas in the loss to Alabama, rushing for 42 yards on 6 attempts. He is averaging 6.1 yards per attempt this season, and Wingo is averaging 5.8. Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said the Razorbacks plan to continue to use the committee approach in the backfield, primarily because they play in the SEC.
''I think that when you play in this conference you get banged (up),'' McGee said. ''This is a physical conference. You need a few backs.''
