Hogs Putting the Finishing Touches on USC Game Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas football team spent just under an hour and a half on the practice field Wednesday afternoon in shorts and shoulder pads as preparations wind down for Saturday night’s season opener.

The Razorbacks finished the workout Wednesday with the defense outside working against the scout team while the offense was inside the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion. Saturday’s nationally televised opener on ESPN against sixth-ranked Southern California is slated for a 7:45 p.m. kickoff from Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium.

“I thought our guys moved around very well,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “They know it (the season) is getting close and there is no hiding that. The intensity has been very good and that is the way is should be. It is your opening game, right here in your home stadium and a lot of guys are excited.”

Casey Dick, Darren McFadden, Weston Dacus and London Crawford all practiced for the second straight day on Wednesday.

“Darren is making progress,” Nutt said. “It is good to see him and Casey Dick and London Crawford, all three of them were back out here today making progress.”

Nutt praised the play and outstanding leadership of junior signal-caller Robert Johnson.

“He had a good day,” Nutt said. “He has had a real good camp. He is a year older and making better decisions.”

The Razorbacks defense has played well throughout fall camp, but now is the time for Reggie Herring’s defense to shine.

“I feel real good (about the defense),” Nutt said. “I have been real proud of them, but now we have to do it when the lights come on. We have to do it against a very, very good football team.”

Arkansas will hold a light workout on Thursday afternoon to close out the week of practice.