Razorbacks Set for UNT After Thursday Practice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback football team completed its game-week preparations on the practice fields Thursday during a 60-minute workout. Among other things, the Hogs worked on special-teams and two-minute situations. Head coach Houston Nutt called it a good day of concentration for the players and said Arkansas is ready to get back on the field.

“There’s nothing like getting back on the field, and there’s nothing like winning, which is the medicine that our team needs,” Nutt said. “We’re going to do everything we can to get that ‘W.’”

When the Razorbacks hit the field Saturday against North Texas, Nutt said their attention will be on collecting their second win of the season

“There’s nobody that wants to win more than these players and coaches—there’s nobody,” Nutt said. “All we want to do is win.”

With all the attention paid to execution on special teams, Nutt knows the importance of the kicking game and the role it can play in the Razorbacks success.

“(Special teams) are always setting the tempo of the game,” Nutt said. “If you can set the tempo, you can control the game by dominating (and) executing the kicking game.”

Peyton Hillis will continue to get work on the punt return team, as well as Jerell Norton. Nutt said the senior fullback will be looking to take advantage of punts when he can and will also need help from his blockers.

“I think there were a couple of times where he realized he could have taken it, but we’ve been putting a lot of emphasis on catching the ball,” Nutt said. “So I think he’s gotten into a groove now and caught a lot of balls. I think he’s ready to go.”

Sophomore tailback Brandon Barnett put in a good week of work and the head coach is eager to see how he will handle the game-time situation.

“(Brandon) had a lot of reps, of course, the day Darren wasn’t there, so that really helped him,” Nutt said. “He’s real quick, low to ground and has great speed. I haven’t really seen him get hit yet, so I’m anxious to see how he handles the contact part of it.”

The Hogs are set to take on North Texas Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium with a 6 p.m. CT kickoff. Log on to www.hogwired.com for more information about Arkansas football.