Razorbacks Prep for Football Scrimmage on Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas football team worked out for just under two hours on Thursday inside the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion in preparation for Saturday’s scrimmage in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The Razorbacks are off on Friday but will practice at 10 a.m. Saturday with an open scrimmage beginning around 11.

“We’re not going (Friday),” head coach Houston Nutt said. “We’re going to use that as a study day. We have a few tests on Friday so we’ll let them study and really zero in on Saturday. We had a great day. We ended with the two-minute (offense) and over the last two days, I think we’ve gotten much, much better.

“Overall, what I’m looking for (in the scrimmage) is execution. I want to eliminate what we did in the last scrimmage – the foolish penalties. I want to play full speed knowing what to do without penalties and without turnovers. I’m hoping we’ll look smoother.”

While looking for offensive consistency on Thursday, Nutt noticed redshirt freshman Adrian Davis of Rosenberg, Texas, who has been moved from linebacker to defensive end.

“Adrian played free safety in high school and when he got here he was a linebacker,” Nutt said. “We’re a little thin at defensive end. Coach (Tracy) Rocker asked him to move to defensive end and he’s just done a great job of adjusting to the position with a great attitude. We need a little more depth there. We may have to ask some of the freshmen kids (coming in) to line up there. Right now, Adrian has really stepped up. He’s a team player and I really appreciate his attitude.”

Nutt also singled out sophomore cornerback Jerell Norton, who made several nice plays in one-on-one coverage.

“Jerell, who played quarterback in high school, played some free safety and has been a punt returner, has excellent hands,” Nutt said. “Anything that comes around him, tipped balls or balls in space, he has a natural ability to catch the ball. We’re hoping he’s going to provide some turnovers for us.”

Offensively, Marcus Monk consistently made catches but also came up with a reception over his defender.

“Marcus makes a play like that every day,” Nutt said. “He’s a great what I call ‘coverage catcher.’ You can cover him so well, but he still comes down with the catch. That’s what he does. He can catch it over the shoulder or with the ball behind his back shoulder. I’m really glad he decided to stay.”