Razorbacks Make Progress During Off Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –– The Arkansas football team wrapped up their bye-week practice schedule on Thursday with a one-hour workout in shorts and helmets on the practices fields south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The Razorbacks worked in an early practice on Thursday with several assistant coaches already on the road recruiting.

“We had a good practice on a beautiful day today,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “We got a lot of work done. A lot of our coaches are out recruiting and this is a good time for us (the coaching staff) to take advantage of two days of getting into some high schools and then watching some games.”

Coach Nutt was pleased with his team’s progress and development during the bye week.

“All you can ask of your team during an off week is to go out and try to get better,” Nutt said. “I think for the most part we have had really good practices this week. We don’t control open dates, but you have to take advantage of them, and I think we did.” The one thing the Razorbacks were not able to find time for was a scrimmage in with the younger players.

“The only thing we didn’t get done this week was the scrimmage with the younger people,” Nutt said. “We didn’t do that because I thought we were a little bit beat up. I just wanted save some of those scout team guys, and keep them healthy because we are going to need them for the rest of the season.”

Nutt said the trio of Mason Templeton, Clarke Moore and Weston Dacus sat out practice again on Thursday. He felt like the best thing for those three players was to give them the entire week to get healthy and start fresh next week. All three are expected to be ready to go for the Razorbacks’ homecoming showdown with South Carolina at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Nutt also praised his team’s attitude and effort coming off of a tough loss at fourth-ranked Georgia last week.

“I think the way they played last Saturday was a good way to show these guys what happens when we do things right,” Nutt said. “When we execute and play with all 11 guys we can make things happen.”

Arkansas will take Friday and Saturday off before returning to the practice field on Sunday.