Hogs Prepared for Saturday Scrimmage After Light Workout in Shorts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Head coach Houston Nutt took it easy on his Arkansas football team Friday as the Razorbacks worked for just over an hour in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts in preparation for Saturday’s scrimmage.

The Hogs are scheduled to scrimmage in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium around 11:30 a.m. The scrimmage is open to the public.

“Today was a great teaching day,” Nutt said. “It will be good for the scrimmage. This is a big scrimmage. We have a lot of people fighting for positions. I want everybody to play hard and be successful.”

The scrimmage, which will also include kicking, will be run more like a game. Last week’s scrimmage was situational. This week, the actual down and distance will be observed with the offense forced to pick up first downs.

“I’m looking to see who will execute,” Nutt said. “I want to see who can complete their assignments and carry out their responsibilities.”

One position that may be hard to gauge is receiver where Marcus Monk, Reggie Fish, Chris Baker and Rod Coleman have all been slowed by hamstring injuries, although Monk and Fish practiced on Friday.

“We have several (receivers) with slight pulls,” Nutt said. “The (short practice) will help us get them back on the field.”

A position where there’s no shortage of candidates is safety. Michael Grant, Matt Harris, John West, Rashaad Johnson, Kevin Woods and Kevin Thornton could all get snaps at the position on Saturday.

“This scrimmage is a big factor for the safeties,” Nutt said. “(Secondary coach) Louis Campbell has the biggest problem, but it’s a good problem because he has the biggest group to work with.”

At quarterback, Nutt plans to rotate his players with the first and second units.

“Each scrimmage, situation and pressure point adds up,” he said. “We’re looking for the guy that puts us in the end zone.”