Bowl workouts continue in Walker

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team practiced inside Walker Pavilion on Friday to continue preparations for the 77th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl against Ohio State in in New Orleans on Jan. 4, 2011. No. 8 Arkansas (10-2, 6-2 SEC) finished the regular season leading the Southeastern Conference in passing offense, averaging 338.4 yards per game. UA heads to the Louisiana Superdome for the school’s first BCS bowl appearance, matching up against the No. 6 Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten).

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee noted after the morning workout that the Razorback team has had good drill sessions.

"Our kids are focused on what needs to be done," Coach McGee said. "We’re in the early stages of the game plan of getting to know Ohio State. They’re really focused on winning. We want to finish the season the right way."

In planning to face the Buckeyes’ defense, Coach McGee admitted the Razorback offense’s key may be matching up with strength and aggressiveness.

"They’re big," Coach McGee said. "They’re strong. They’re aggressive. They’re well coached. They play well within their system. Their defensive front is extremely big. It will be a different challenge for us."

UA is the only team in the country with a quarterback (Ryan Mallett) who’s passed for 3,000 yards, a running back (Knile Davis) who’s rushed for 1,000 yards and five receivers (Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Cobi Hamilton, D.J. Williams and Jarius Wright) who have at least 500 receiving yards.

Coach McGee explained that the extra time that is allowed to prepare for a bowl game pays dividends for the following season.

"That’s the benefit of going to a bowl," Coach McGee said. "You get extra practices. All of the young guys that are going to be out there next season, we get extra time on the field to continue to develop our kids."

The UA-OSU game will air on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. For more information on Razorback football, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.