Razorbacks Prepared for Physical Game Against Mississippi State

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback football team completed its game-week practices Thursday with a 45-minute session. The workout followed a typical Thursday session with the team working on special teams at the beginning of practice, going into offensive and defensive work and finishing the day working on two-minute situations.

Head coach Houston Nutt said it was a good practice to end the week as the Razorbacks look ahead to their game Saturday against Mississippi State in Little Rock. Felix Jones got in some reps with the offense, but Nutt said it’s too early to tell how much the junior tailback will be able to play Saturday.

“Felix got a little bit of work in today,” Nutt said. “We’ll know more Saturday. Again, with the type of injury it is, it’s very difficult and very hard to get back to full speed that quick, but he’s put in a lot of effort so we’ll see.”

Offensive lineman Jose Valdez also returned to practice and Nutt thought the junior lineman moved around well, but stick with the starting lineup that includes Robert Felton and DeMarcus Love.

“We’ll start out with Felton (at left tackle) because he’s gotten the entire week,” Nutt said. “So we’ll go with Robert and DeMarcus (at right guard).”

Senior receivers Marcus Monk and Robert Johnson did not dress out during Thursday’s practice, but will play against Mississippi State. Nutt said the Monk and Johnson are resting injuries but have put in the necessary work throughout the week.

“(Marcus and Robert) have a good feel of what they can do and what they can’t do during the course of the week,” Nutt said. “They get the game plan in, catch a lot of balls today and get a lot of mental reps to get ready to go Saturday.”

With similar styles of play, Nutt is expecting a physical game Saturday in the trenches between the respective offensive and defensive lines.

“It’s going to be very physical and our guys have been told that all week,” Nutt said. “I’m sure Coach (Sylvester) Croom is doing the same in Mississippi, telling his guys the same thing.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State is set for 1 p.m. CT from War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Log on to www.hogwired.com for more news about Arkansas football.