Thursday practice report

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Razorback football team returned to the practice field Thursday afternoon for a workout inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Following practice, head coach Bobby Petrino spoke with the media.

On the week of preparation:

"It’s been a good week for us. I think our players understand what is at stake this weekend and what a big game this is for our program. They have done a really nice job preparing in meetings and they have practiced hard. We’ve practiced with good effort and I’ve been impressed with the leadership from within the team. I’m impressed with how our players have approached the week, with focus, with concentration and a lot of energy and excitement."

On preparing for South Carolina’s blitz attack:

"It has required some extra study and some extra walk-through reps. The good thing is Ryan (Mallett) and Tyler (Wilson) are really good students of the game. Our offensive line group has been together all year so our communication up front has been good. I think we’ll do a good job with it. I expect us to handle it well."

On the status of Michael Smith and Ramon Broadway:

"I know Smith will play. He’s been full speed. We need to evaluate tonight whether Ramon can get out there and go. He’s been practicing and has done a nice job in short area, change in direction stuff but he hasn’t really opened it up full speed yet until tonight so I need to watch the film and see how he did."

On Seth Armbrust:

"Seth has been great all year. He gives everybody energy. When I got here, he came in and told me he’d do whatever I asked him to do, whatever it took to get on the field. When Coach Smith got here, he did the exact same thing. He’s really done a nice job in the offseason getting stronger and faster. He got himself into a position where he can physically hold up and make plays. He’s done a great job all year on kick off cover."