Razorbacks Emphasize Speed in Tuesday Workout

November 7, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –– Arkansas began its practice session on Tuesday afternoon on the fields south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and concluded the 90-minute workout inside the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion.

The Razorbacks practiced in shells in preparation for their Friday match-up with third-ranked LSU at Tiger Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally at 1:30 p.m. on CBS.

“We had a good day today,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “We played fast all day, and that is something we have been trying to emphasize. We need everyone to elevate their game for LSU. We want to make this last game the best we have played all year long.”

The Tigers’ speedy defense will present a challenge for the Razorbacks’ offense on Friday. LSU possesses a quick and physical front line and an experienced secondary that can really run.

“This LSU defense is a great defense,” Nutt said. “There are about seven seniors on that team who can really play football. It seems like a lot of them have been there forever. LSU’s defensive line can create a lot of havoc, and I am concerned with their ability to disrupt the center/quarterback exchange.”

The Hogs have shuffled their offensive line around this week with the injury to left guard Stephen Parker, but their chemistry appears intact. The coaching staff has been pleased with Kyle Roper’s transition to left guard and right guard Jeremy Harrell is progressing with every snap he gets on the offensive side of the football.

“Of course I would love to have Parker back, but he just can’t practice yet,” Nutt said. “He has been going through things mentally and might be able to play in an emergency situation, but right now we are going to go with what we have.

“Roper is playing well right now at guard, and he would be hard to keep out of the lineup anyway. He really wanted to play in Little Rock (against Mississippi State), but we just couldn’t do it with his knee. He has been a tremendous captain and leader for us, and he really wants to go this weekend.”

Arkansas will conduct an hour workout on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, the Hogs will eat Thanksgiving dinner together and then depart for Baton Rouge, La., early in the afternoon.