FAYETTEVILLE - The Arkansas football team's spirits were once again high on Wednesday evening as it prepared in shoulder pads and shorts for Mississippi State inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Razorbacks practiced on the field for more than an hour before moving inside to their team meeting rooms to finish up the day's work. Arkansas' coaches continue to implement the game plan for the Bulldogs and know that Mississippi State is going to present a new set of challenges for the Razorback defense.
"They're awfully good up front," Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. "They have a really fine running back. He runs with his pads down, is exceptional coming out of the backfield catching the ball. The quarterback is really, really active. He creates. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he can create and make you miss. The receivers; big, tall, athletic. They catch the ball. They're a pretty good offense."
Arkansas' coaching staff is excited to get Adrian Davis back on the field after the junior missed two games to an injury.
"He's just got an ability to sit down and slide off you," Robinson said. "I mean, he can make himself thin. He gets off on the ball, he can turn his shoulders, his feet never stop, got long arms and he never loses focus on the quarterback. He does a great job of seeing the QB."
With Davis back helping the Arkansas pass rush, the Razorbacks know that its defense must remain strong against the run.
"You know, I think our kids saw it and they were very embarrassed about it," Robinson said. "We've talked about courage and toughness and we've got to display that. We've got to get back to believing in the fact that it's not just going to happen; we've got to go make it happen. So yes, we do, we hope to get that thing done, get it corrected."
The Razorback spent some of its off week focusing on the fundamentals of the game including tackling, but that topic has never left the mind of the Arkansas defense.
"We do it every day," Robinson said. "I mean we go against our groups and our individual groups and we do it every day. We set the pads every day and haven't changed. It's just a matter of carrying over and wanting to be the guy, be the hammer, you know. Make sure we're physical in everything we do in all aspects."
The Razorbacks return to the practice field on Thursday evening before making their way to Starkville, Miss., on Friday to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. For more information regarding Razorback football or University of Arkansas athletics please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
