Razorbacks improve at Wednesday's practice
FAYETTEVILLE – The Razorback football team used another two-hour practice session on the field behind Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium to steadily improve their game plan for seventh-ranked Texas. Arkansas takes on the Longhorns on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.
On Wednesday’s agenda was a steady dose of fundamentals before the team came together to spend considerable time working on the game plan for the weekend. The first and second-team offenses and defenses went toe-to-toe for several periods before the scout teams joined the group and worked gave the squads a more concentrated look at some of the fronts Texas may provide.
“Yesterday was probably our best Tuesday practice,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “You can’t keep (the team) down; you have to coach them up. What went on Saturday you have no control of. You wish you could play that game 10 more times but you can’t so you move on to this game and our kids are focused for this game. We had a really good Tuesday practice and a good Wednesday practice we just have to finish it out.”
The Razorback defense is hoping that they matchup with the Texas offense better than they did a week ago against Alabama even though they understand that the two teams present completely different offenses.
“It’s not all that power stuff that we faced a week ago,” Robinson said. “Now it’s all zone blocking and quarterback reads. Great skill kids and the quarterback is really a good football player. They have a great solid offensive line but it’s a lot different offense.”
In order to shore up the defense, the Razorbacks are concentrating on tackling and wrapping up their opposition.
“We are working on (tackling), we work on it all the time,” Robinson said. “It’s about technique and When your eyes are right and you do your technique, that body is going to look no different week in and week out. It takes heart. We have to make sure they understand that it’s the technique. Eyes up, neck in, bring yours arms in, stay on your feet, grab cloth and accelerate. But it’s still a matter of courage and heart.”
Robinson did credit several of the defenders for their play last Saturday and hope that it continues into the Texas game.
“Freddy Burton is doing a nice job for us,” Robinson said. “He had a really good game on special teams last week and that was a great pick up for us. (Malcolm) Sheppard had a good game for us and he has the drive and the heart. (Jake) Bequette stood up for us; (Antwain) Robinson started making plays. I thought that our corners had a really good game. As far as the linebackers and some of the safeties we have a ways to go.”
The Razorbacks take on seventh-ranked Texas in Austin, Texas, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC. For more information regarding Razorback football or University of Arkansas athletics please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
