Hogs earn 'moral victory'

I heard more than one Razorback fan say, “I don't want no moral victory,” after Arkansas' 31-27 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday. I have to disagree.
Before I continue, exactly what is a moral victory?
The definition I found said, “a defeat that can be interpreted as a victory on moral terms, for example, the defeated party defended their principles.”
My definition of a moral victory is a loss that could've been a lot worse than it was.
By my definition, Arkansas fans should be pleased with their team's performance on Saturday.
Yes, I was the one back in 2011 who said fans shouldn't be satisfied after Arkansas' 31-26 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. That was not a moral victory. It was a devastating, disappointing loss.
The difference? The Razorbacks were 10-2 going into the game with a chance to vault the program into the elite in college football. Arkansas was better than Ohio State that year. Anything less than a victory had to be a disappointment.
Fast forward to Saturday, with the Hogs going 0-for-a couple of seasons in the SEC. The expectations have changed.
Honestly, after the debacle against San Jose State, watching the Razorbacks take the Aggies down to the wire should've made you feel so much better about the program. Yeah, it was a game Arkansas could've won. And, yeah, a win would've given the program such a needed boost.
But, if after watching the game you still don't feel like the Hogs took a step in the right direction, perhaps you should just go ahead and leap off the bandwagon.
I thought the team looked pretty good. The defense actually defended the pass. Or, attempted to. The tackling was … somewhat better … maybe.
At defensive end, Junction City's Jamario Bell had a heck of a game. He lost containment once early but after that, he was rock solid. I thought he played well. I'm so happy for that young man, who has persevered through injuries, position changes and all sorts of stuff. He's finally getting his chance and is making the most of it.
Offensively, Arkansas moved the ball and made some key third-down conversions. Ben Hicks, who replaced an injured Nick Starkel, looked good … really good. He made throws I didn't know he could make. Hell, where's that guy been all season?
Coach Chad Morris asserted after the game that Starkel is still the starter. That's O.K. I think Starkel gives the team the best chance to win. But, Hicks showed he can play in this league, at least on his best day.
Arkansas can feel pretty good about the quarterback position, which is something that couldn't be said a year or two ago.
And, the Razorbacks showed fight. They competed. I know, that's what they're supposed to do. But still, it was good to see on a nationally televised game.
They didn't win and they could've, probably should've.
But, for Razorback fans to turn up their noses at this “moral victory” would be like a starving, homeless person saying no to a Chick-fil-A sandwich. Even if it's not what you want, you'd better take it because there might not be anything better coming your way anytime soon.