Razorbacks Turn Focus to Alabama
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas returned to the practice fields for the first time since last Thursday and worked out for an hour and 45 minutes in full pads. The Hogs persevered through the heat with a new focus as they gear up to get back into conference play with a road trip to face Alabama.
“We had a good practice today and thing you appreciate as a coach when things don’t go just right is how they respond,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “Today was a hot day and they were out here with not much rest after getting back at 7 on Sunday morning. It’s been a quick turn-around, but the guys came out and practiced hard. That’s all I want, to give us all they have and try to correct and get better one day at a time.”
The Razorbacks will go up against a Crimson Tide offense that is led by veteran quarterback Brodie Croyle. Croyle has guided Alabama to a 3-0 record to start the 2005 season, but Nutt is more concerned with how his squad will perform.
“He’s excellent and he’s another senior that’s very experienced,” Nutt said. “The bottom line is we want to stop the run and don’t give up the big play. Offensively, we want to take care of the ball, be able to run the ball and mix it up. All that hasn’t changed. I’m more concerned about us more than I am the opponent.”
Arkansas QB Robert Johnson left the Southern California game in the second quarter with headaches and a sore back, but returned to regular form on Tuesday afternoon. Nutt was encouraged by his effort and expects him to be ready to go by game day.
“Robert Johnson is doing really well right now,” Nutt said. “He’s a little sore and bruised, but he’s tough and he’s fighting through it. It was more his back, but he doesn’t have any headaches today.”
Nutt also commented on additional UA athletes that have been injured. Without the services of senior offensive guard Zac Tubbs, juniors Tyler Morgan and Chase Pressley have filled in the gap.
“Pierre Brown went through some individual drills, but he’s still not quite ready right now,” Nutt said. “Hopefully by Saturday maybe, but I don’t know. (Zac) Tubbs is definitely out. He just cannot go. We’ve got Tyler Morgan working there right now. He and Chase Pressley are fighting it out for the starting spot. Right now Tyler has the edge, because he did some good things in the game.”
The Hogs will take on the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sept. 24. Jefferson-Pilot will broadcast the game at 11:30 a.m. CT.
