News Former Arkansas Teammates Thrilled for Hillis

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Former Arkansas teammates thrilled Broncos' Hillis is ridin' high
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 19, 2008 at 9:13 p.m.

Having lost touch somewhat with his college buddy at Arkansas, his focus being the rigors of his own rookie season in the NFL, Darren McFadden mostly knows about Peyton Hillis' season with the Broncos on a cursory level.

Yet McFadden, an Oakland Raiders tailback, can close his eyes and from afar imagine Hillis as he was as a college senior.

"I haven't seen him go to a game this year," McFadden said Wednesday, punctuating his words with a chuckle. "But I can imagine he's going to have a button-up shirt on with the top three buttons not buttoned, chest hanging out and his neck showing - and wearing cowboy boots."

Yes, Hillis still is country through and through.

He was as much cowboy as McFadden's homeboy during their three seasons together in Fayetteville, Ark.

But Hillis also is sporting a new look these days - as a starting running back.

Neither McFadden nor Felix Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, both No. 1 draft picks and once the flash in the Razorbacks' rushing attack, can say that. Both have battled injuries.

So it's Hillis, the unheralded lead blocker and receiver in college, whose fortunes have turned as a pro, thanks to a convergence of ailments in his own backfield.

"We'll crack jokes about it," said McFadden, who stays in regular contact with Jones and ventures he has talked with Hillis three or four times this season. " 'Hey, Peyton is starting - us two guys aren't. . . . ' "

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