Razorback defense prepares for Ohio State

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team worked out inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Tuesday leading up to the 77th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl against Ohio State in New Orleans on Jan. 4, 2011. Defensive coordinator and secondary coach Willy Robinson addressed the media following the morning workout, commenting on the productivity of UA’s postseason practices.

"It’s been good," Coach Robinson said. "We’ve had a lot of things we’ve been working up to."

The eighth-ranked Razorbacks (10-2, 6-2 SEC) showed an aggressive defense throughout the 2010 season, holding opposing teams to 54-of-169 (.320) on third-down conversions, which is the best percentage in the Southeastern Conference and sixth best in the NCAA. Arkansas is making the school’s first BCS bowl appearance inside the Louisiana Superdome, matching up against the No. 6 Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten).

Coach Robinson made note of the OSU running game and how playing with focus would be key for the Razorbacks.

"Their running game is very direct," Coach Robinson said. "They have some misdirection stuff a little bit. The guy we still have to defend is their quarterback. He’s the one you usually don’t account for."

While focusing on Ohio State’s backfield, Coach Robinson admitted that paying attention to Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor would be important.

"He’s not unlike the other quarterbacks we’ve faced," Coach Robinson said. "He’s very dynamic, and they do a lot of different things with him."

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