UA maintains focus for MSU

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team practiced Tuesday inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, preparing for its visit to Mississippi State on Saturday. The 13th-ranked Razorbacks bring an 8-2 (4-2, SEC) record to the 22nd-ranked Bulldogs (7-3, 3-3, SEC) with the game set to kick off Saturday at 6 p.m. inside Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee noted the Razorback offense has executed efficiently in recent games. UA is on a four-game winning streak where it has averaged 46.5 points per game and converted 29-of-53 third-down situations (.547).

"Our kids are playing at a really high level right now," Coach McGee said. "When we are set behind the chains, they’ve found ways to make plays and convert third downs. I know Ryan (Mallett) hit Cobi (Hamilton) on an in-cut on third-and-10 last week and it seemed really simple when he did it. We’ve just got to continue to play well on first down. Third downs become simple."

For the Razorbacks to continue their offensive success against MSU, Coach McGee admitted the Razorbacks would need to pay close attention to the Bulldogs’ defensive schemes.

"Their defense is really complex," Coach McGee said. "They would call it a multiple defense, I bet. They play three down. They play four down. They have four defensive linemen in the game in a three-down structure, with one of their defensive linemen standing up and floating around. They have a really interesting scheme that’s going to be a challenge for us."

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