With NFL running backs Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis gone from last year’s roster, it’s easy to see why Arkansas was considered one of the nation’s best rushing teams.But with that trio gone and the Razorbacks still having success on the ground, LSU senior defensive end Kirston Pittman attributes one thing to the Razorbacks’ rushing success — the play of their offensive line.”They’re good at their zone blocking and their slide protections,” Pittman said. “But they can also do some man-to-man if they need to. They are great at mixing it up.”The leader of the Razorbacks’ offensive line is 2007 Remington Award winner, senior center Jonathan Luigs.Luigs said winning the award as the nation’s best center was more a team accolade than an individual honor.”Winning the Remington was great,” he said. “But I was surrounded by good players, and the stars aligned for me, and I was able to win that award. They all made it possible for me.”Luigs said Arkansas is difficult to prepare for up front because of how well they block as a group.”We work together very well as a unit,” he said. “We all take pride in the running game and establishing the run in this league. That’s not always the easiest thing to do in this conference.”But the Razorbacks have made rushing the football look easy at times this season, despite the departure of Arkansas’ three halfbacks and first-year Bobby Petrino’s pass-heavy offense being implemented.Arkansas junior halfback Michael Smith ranks No. 4 in the Southeastern Conference with 1,072 yards and has scored eight touchdowns this season.Smith is expected to miss Friday’s game against LSU with a hamstring injury.”It’s been real frustrating for him because he is a real tough, hard-nosed football player,” Petrino said. “I have the ultimate respect for him in the way that he has played and performed this year.Petrino said junior Brandon Barnett and freshmen Dennis Johnson and De’Anthony Curtis will split carries for Smith on Friday.   Petrino said Barrett is the best of the three at running between the tackles and Johnson and Curtis are more speed backs.The three Arkansas reserves have a combined 49 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown this season.But Luigs has seen the Razorbacks lose their primary tailback before and said he only has one focus this weekend against LSU.”We just have to open up the holes,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who is getting the ball on a play. They have no chance if we do not do our jobs first. That’s our only focus.”—-Contact Casey Gisclair at cgisclair.com