Cold Weather Forces Arkansas Inside

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As Arkansas (3-6, 1-5 SEC) prepares for its game against Mississippi State (2-7, 0-6 SEC) the Hogs worked out for 90 minutes in the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion. After a cold front settled in the area they were forced to move practice inside with players suffering from minor aches and pains and the flu.

“We had a good practice, but we still have a few guys that are a little sore,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “Tony Ugoh is fighting through an ankle (injury), Stephen Parker, Casey Dick and Marcus Shavers are a little under the weather with a flu bug. He (Dick) didn’t get too many snaps, but he got a little work in. He basically watched because he was just too weak.”

The Razorbacks are coming off a 28-17 win at Ole Miss and Nutt can see what a difference the needed victory has made in his players’ attitudes and efforts.

“It’s always better when you win,” Nutt said. “It’s that dose of medicine that we always talk about is so important. You feel better coming to practice. You can tell the players are ready to work.”

Nutt knows Mississippi State will be a tough opponent and has seen some close games with the Bulldogs. UA is concentrating on MSU’s defense and their standout defensive lineman Willie Evans, who is tied for third in the league with an average of .92 sacks per game.

“It’s always been tough and close,” Nutt said. “They’re a good football team, especially on defense. He (Willie Evans) sacks every time you turn on the film. I don’t care who it is, whether it be Auburn, Georgia or LSU. He is always in the backfield. We have to do a good job, because a lot of times we’ll try to keep four hands on him.”

The Bulldogs and Razorbacks will face each other on Nov. 19 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game will not be televised.