Arkansas Adds Depth to Defense
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas (2-4, 0-3 SEC) held its final practice on Thursday before it takes on fourth-ranked Georgia (6-0, 4-0 SEC). The Hogs worked out for almost 90 minutes in shorts and shells, while the offense used the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion and the defense stayed outside. They wrapped up practice with a two-minute drill and put the finishing touches on the game plan for their third road game on the season.
“We had a good day and executed very well,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “That’s what it is going to take on the road. We have to have a great road focus with 94,000 people. We have been talking real hard about playing four quarters. It takes four in this league.”
Coupled with the loss of junior defensive end Anthony Brown to injury and the change of junior Jeremy Harrell and sophomore Fred Bledsoe from defense to offense, Nutt announced he would take away linebacker Antwain Robinson’s redshirt. He expects the Little Rock, Ark., native to add depth and see playing time on Saturday.
“Antwain Robinson is going to play,” Nutt said. “We’re in a position now that we’ve moved Fred Bledsoe and Jeremy Harrell, so we need that depth. We’ll have Jamaal Anderson, Zach Snider, Desmond Sims and Michael Tate. With the injury to Anthony Brown we had to take the redshirt off Antwain Robinson.”
Nutt and his staff have allowed different quarterbacks to take more snaps in practice, but he emphasized they would not name a starter until Saturday morning. Overall, the offensive unit has responded well to the variety and Nutt believes it has sharpened their focus.
“They have done real good and responded very well,” Nutt said. “They have worked hard and had a great attitude this week. I think it’s given everybody a little bit of a wake up call. Not that it’s ever one man’s fault, but everybody can zero in on their job and play with all your heart and enthusiasm every single play.”
Arkansas will face No. 4 Georgia at 11:30 a.m. CT at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. The game will be televised on Jefferson-Pilot.
