UA keeps pressure with defensive speed

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team continued preparations for Mississippi State inside Walker Pavilion on Wednesday. The 13th-ranked Razorbacks (8-2, 4-2, SEC) visit the 22nd-ranked Bulldogs (7-3, 3-3, SEC) on Saturday with the game set to kick off at 6 p.m. inside Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.

Defensive coordinator and secondary coach Willy Robinson explained that the Bulldogs are a physical team and they will look to show it against the Razorbacks’ defense.

"These kids run physical," Coach Robinson said. "And they run with their pads forward. They are a good football team. They really are. You know against us they are going to load the box and run the football, and throw some play-action pass and try to get some chunks there."

Coach Robinson mentioned safety Tramain Thomas’ exemplary play for UA. The Winnie, Texas, native has made 52 tackles in 2010 and ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference with four interceptions.

"It starts with how he’s practicing," Coach Robinson said. "He’s really bought into the fact that he needs to go full speed. I think he’s starting to play to his potential. Day in and day out, he comes to work. He’s really doing a great job."

Playing fast has been the philosophy of the Razorback defense all season. Coach Robinson noted that if the defense is executing well, there is no reason to slow down.

"We’re going to always continue to pressure," Coach Robinson said. "If it’s working for us, we’ll continue to do it."

The Razorback-Bulldog game will air on ESPN. For more information on Arkansas football, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.