Momentum Intensity Continues at Tuesday?s Practice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Fresh off its upset of Auburn, Arkansas football participated in a two-hour practice in full pads on the practice fields south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Tuesday. The Razorbacks spent Tuesday’s practice implementing the Southeast Missouri State game plan.

“We got a good start on Southeast Missouri today,” head coach Houston Nutt said. “The players came out with a great attitude. They practiced hard and that’s what we are looking for. We are trying to encourage them to really stay ground and go to work. Let’s get better.”

With the Razorbacks ranked among the top 25 in the AP and Coaches polls, Nutt is concentrating on keeping his players focused for this weekend’s match up with Southeast Missouri.

“Today, all the coaches were gauging how they were going to practice,” Nutt said. “They practiced well, the way they are supposed on a Tuesday, with great concentration and that’s all we are looking for. The only thing we can do right now is beat Southeast Missouri.”

Nutt has stressed improvement from day one and, after the Auburn game, it is evident that many of the position groups have come a long way in improving their play, including the defensive line.

“They have gotten better since day one,” Nutt said. “We got some people back (from injuries) and they have been practicing hard.”

The Southeast Missouri game starts a three-week home stretch, including a stop in Little Rock. Nutt and the Razorbacks will be defending their house and a nearly perfect record.

“It’s really important (to guard against a letdown at home),” Nutt said. “We have a high concentration. We are coming home and it is homecoming weekend. A lot of our alumni and former players are going to be here. It’s very important that we take care of business at home.”

Arkansas escaped the Auburn game without any serious injuries. Ryan Powers and John Johnson, among others, still have not returned to the practice field after nursing nagging injuries for part of the season. At Tuesday’s practice, Robert Johnson did participate after suffering a knee injury and is expected to play on Saturday.

“It’s been awhile (since we came away from an SEC game without an injury),” Nutt said. “That’s really good for us.”