Razorbacks Focused on Vanderbilt

FAYETTEVILLE
, Ark. –
The Arkansas football team practiced for just under two hours Wednesday afternoon in shells on the grass practice fields south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“We had a very good concentration day today,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “We had good intensity and focus and that is exactly what you have to have when you get ready to go play that first road conference game. You have to be extremely focused with a business-like manor and that is what we got accomplished today. The guys moved around well and we had a good practice.”

With the loss of Freddie Fairchild at the strong-side linebacker the Hogs have to break in a set of freshmen to develop depth. Freshman now man the second-team spot at all three linebacker positions with Ryan Powers on the weak-side, Wendel Davis in the middle and Adrian Davis on the strong-side.

“They (the freshmen linebackers) are getting better.” Nutt said. “You can tell that they are young, and they are making freshmen mistakes, which is to be expected. But I like how far they have come, especially these last few days. They are very good listeners – I love that trait with anyone, but especially freshmen. I love when they listen twice as much as they talk, and these guys have been good listeners. We’ve got to keep going and keep bringing these guys.”

The status of tailback Felix Jones was encouraging Wednesday with the sophomore running back participating in drills.

“He looked good today,” Nutt said. “He looked a lot better and should be ready to go.”

The intensity and focus for the Razorbacks during practice this week has been very important with a talent Vanderbilt squad looming in the conference opener in Nashville on Saturday.

“This is a very key game,” Nutt said. “The first game is the SEC is always so important. If you can get that one and get on top in the league, there is not a better feeling. It gives you a great boost of confidence and is a very important game.”