Razorbacks? Thursday Practice in the Books

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorback football practiced for slightly more than 90 minutes Thursday afternoon. Arkansas split its time between the practice fields just south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion.

With the season opener nine days away, head coach Houston Nutt is continuing to focus on game-like situations to best prepare his Razorbacks for the Trojans of Troy University.

“We had a good practice today,” Nutt said. “We brought them inside today for a couple of reasons. They have been given it to us for the last few practices and we went thigh pads and shoulder pads today. We got in some different situations, the last play of the game, one play before the half. We are just trying to cover as many situations as possible, as many types of things that come up in a game. We are getting ready for the rehearsal on Saturday. We want them to play fast. They can play fast when they know what to do and they can put it on automatic. That’s what we are trying to do.”

Hopefully adding to the speed and intensity of today’s practice was the return of junior center Jonathan Luigs. Luigs missed the last few practices while suffering from a virus.

“It was good to get (Jonathan Luigs) back,” Nutt said. “You can tell he had been gone a couple of days. He did a really nice job. He has a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience. That really helps.”

Despite the return of his probable starting center, Nutt continued to sing the praises of offensive guard Robert Felton who filled in for Luigs at center while he was out.

“Robert Felton, again, is so valuable because he goes back and acts as if he hasn’t missed a day at his own position,” Nutt said. “That has really helped us. We had a really good day.”

The defense also turned up the intensity for this mostly indoor practice.

“I thought the defense really flew around today,” Nutt said. “They played very fast. This is the toughest part of camp because there is some anxiousness. Our guys are ready to play, ready to hit someone else. It’s getting close.”

While a depth chart is inevitable, Nutt saw some good things out of some of the younger players to help make those important decisions in the next few days.

“DJ Williams keeps coming along,” Nutt said. “We worked Brandon Lampkin a little bit, Damario Ambrose, some of those young defensive linemen. We are trying to see who could possibly help us if we have a problem with injuries. As far as the consistency I have seen out of our young guys, I have been really proud of it.”

The Razorbacks will be back on the practice field Friday evening. Log on to www.hogwired.com for continued coverage of Arkansas football.