Auburn at Arkansas – Pregame Chatter

 

Auburn at Arkansas – The Razorbacks (3-5) are coming off a bye week and prepare to face the fifth ranked conference opponent in a row with Auburn (7-1) coming to Fayetteville as the No. 11 team in the nation. The Tigers are favored in the game by as many as 8 points, which features two first-year head SEC head coaches. Bret Bielema and Gus Malzahn “sparred” before the season started over hurry up offenses. You can read Chris Bahn on the matter here and Doc Harper’s take on it here. No love lost between the two, although this week, there’s a lot of praise and admiration going back and forth.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

As usual, we will update this post as the week goes along with new information about the game, so check this page often.

UPDATE: 11/01/13

 

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team held practice Thursday inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in preparation for Saturday’s Senior Day game against Auburn. Head coach Bret Bielema was available to media after practice and spoke about today’s Halloween practice.

“All of our coaches’ kids are up there,” Bielema said. “They wanted to perk our players up, so they all made little individual packets for our players, a little trick-or-treat for those guys because I cancelled Halloween on everybody. I don’t need them out and about tonight. They’ll have their own little Halloween here tonight. But, I really liked the energy today. I went outside today and thought our kids executed both offense, defense and special teams.”

Bielema also addressed the team’s matchup on Saturday.

“It’s a tremendous challenge for us on Saturday,” Bielema said. “I have a lot of respect for what Auburn’s been able to do this year. Obviously they’re a very good football team, very explosive on offense, been very good on defense and taking advantage of opportunities in the kicking game. They’re another good SEC opponent, one that we’re excited to play. Hopefully we’ll have a great crowd. With the 5 p.m. kickoff, we should have a good couple hours of warm up for everybody involved, and it’ll be a great environment.”

Bielema also noted that the game is Senior Day.

“The thing that excites me is not only extra emphasis from our seniors, but all of our players,” Coach Bielema said. “I think that they can only respect those guys who have survived and advanced to get to where they are today.”

Here is the report from Auburn:

AUBURN, Ala. – If Gus Malzahn knows the availability of quarterback Nick Marshall for Saturday, well, he’s not telling you or the Arkansas coaching staff.

The Auburn coach repeated his diagnosis for Marshall on Thursday, saying his status is day to day and said it will probably be a game-time decision before he can determine if Marshall’s hurt shoulder is well enough to face the Razorbacks at 5 p.m. Saturday in Fayetteville.

“We’d like him to play, but at the same time, he has to be healthy enough,” Malzahn said during Auburn’s Tiger Talk radio show Thursday night.

Marshall hurt his shoulder in the first quarter of last week’s win over Florida Atlantic. He missed the Western Carolina game two weeks before that with a knee injury. Jeremy Johnson came in both times and did well enough to win SEC freshman of the week honors.

“Jeremy Johnson has looked extremely good in practice, as we figured he would,” Malzahn said.

Auburn had prepared Johnson for this, even though he didn’t make his first appearance until the sixth game of the season. He routinely worked as the No. 2 quarterback in practice, beginning in August.

Malzahn said “there’s nothing like that” experience, and praised offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee for having him prepared.

“Coach Lashlee has done a good job giving him almost equal reps leading up to this point,” Malzahn said. “I think that’s very important. He’s a very confident player. He doesn’t seem like a true freshman. A lot of true freshmen have big eyes. He doesn’t. He’s ready for the moment.

“Some guys just have it. Some guys, the moment is not too big.”

Kiehl Frazier reappeared at the quarterback spot in the second half of the Florida Atlantic game, and remains an option for certain plays.

“Any time you lose your starting quarterback you have to start thinking about Plan B,” Malzahn said. “The thing is, Kiehl has experienced. He’s familiar with offense. He’s familiar with the terminology. But Jeremy is getting to the point where he can run our entire offense.”

Also…

•Malzahn said Auburn had three “solid days” of practice this week. “Great effort.”

•A caller wanted to know if Auburn would be distracted over the Arkansas’ video flap.

“We’re not distracted at all. Our guys have been extremely focused this week. We’ve really been focused on us. I expect our guys to be ready to play,” Malzahn said.

•He said Nosa Eguae, who moved from defensive end to defensive tackle, could play at both positions.

“He gives us a lot of versatility. I think you can see him in both spots.”

***

UPDATE 10/31/13

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team continued practicing in preparation for Saturday’s Senior Day game against Auburn. Following practice, defensive coordinator Chris Ash spoke with the media and discussed what Senior Day means for the student-athletes.

“It’s a huge day,” Ash said. “Every day we are out here is a huge day for them, but this is their last opportunity to play here at home, in front of the home fans. It’s a special day and hopefully we can send them out on a good note.”

Ash also addressed the hard work and improvement of junior defensive end Trey Flowers.

“I think he’s done a nice job,” Ash said. “I’m excited to watch him play coming out of the bye week. He’s worked hard these past two weeks to keep improving and be a leader for our team. I’m excited to watch him play.”

***

AUBURN – The availability of Auburn quarterback for Saturday’s game at Arkansas is apparently still up in the air.

Coach Gus Malzahn said Marshall is “still day-to-day. It could be a game-time decision.”

Marshall suffered a shoulder injury in last Saturday’s win over Florida Atlantic. The Tigers have expressed hope  throughout he’d be ready for the Razorbacks.

“He’s a tough guy,” Malzahn said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference.

Marshall missed the Western Carolina game with a knee injury, but came back in full-go mode the next week, accounting for four touchdowns in Auburn’s win over Texas A&M. He was named SEC offensive player of the week for his efforts. He only lasted through the first quarter, plus a play, in the win over Florida Atlantic. He was removed as a precaution after slamming into a defensive back.

Jeremy Johnson has proved to be a capable replacement, earning SEC freshman of the week honors when playing in place of Marshall.

It’ll be ol’ home week for Malzahn, a high school coaching legend in Arkansas; offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, a one-time Arkansas QB and high school star; plus assistants J.B. Grimes and Tim Horton, who coached at Arkansas; and graduate assistant and former quarterback Kodi Burns, who is from there.

But for Malzahn, it’ll be business as usual. He’s returned to coach against the Razorbacks before, and it’s not an issue for him now.

“Really, we really haven’t talked about it. We’ve been focused on preparing and trying to give our guys the best chance of being successful.”

Also… 

•Malzahn called it a “solid week of practice so far” for the Tigers.

•Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said he’s happy with his team as it comes out of a bye week.

“We had a chance to get some of our guys a little bit of rest. We got great developmental work with our kids that will be building a program of the future and a chance to get a little bit of a head start on Auburn,” he said.

•He called Auburn “a very good football team.”

“I think that they run the ball very, very well. they throw the ball in rhythm on time. They’ve got a group of players that are playing very, very hard for four quarters.”

•On his dispute with Auburn on video provided of the Tigers’ extra points:

“Obviously, the issue is being handled by the SEC and that’s about all I can say.”

More on Nick Marshall…

Nick Marshall is Auburn’s starting quarterback, Gus Malzahn made a point to say Wednesday, but whether that means he’ll start against Arkansas on Saturday, well…

Malzahn’s injured quarterback is “still day-to-day, no new news on that” he said after Wednesday’s practice. That was pretty much what Malzahn said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference before the afternoon practice.

Malzahn said he is keeping an eye on Marshall to make sure he “can do what he does, and make sure he gives you the best chance of winning.”

Marshall hurt his shoulder in last week’s 45-10 win over Florida Atlantic, a game in which Jeremy Johnson came in an threw two long touchdown passes. He could be the starter Saturday, but “that’s yet to be determined, but like I said before, we’ve got a lot of confidence in Jeremy,” Malzahn said. “He came in last week and did a very solid job.”

Malzahn called Wednesday’s work a “solid practice,” just like Tuesday.

“Our coordinators were pretty pleased with both days,” he said.

Also…

Malzahn said last week’s knee surgery for defensive back Josh Holsey went well. He’s out for the year.

***

Here is ESPN’s Trevor Matich with his thoughts on game tapes supplied to Arkansas from Auburn. Malzahn answers questions regarding the “edited” tapes in his comments below, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RC2jN6LoPg

 

Earlier this week, University of Arkansas head football coach Bret Bielema met with members of the media to recap the team’s bye week and preview this weekend’s game against Auburn.

Coming off its first bye week of the season, Bielema said the team took advantage of its time off and is ready for another week of game preparation.

“I think our guys are excited to get back into game week,” Bielema said. “We had a good week last week and in the preparation we got a little jump on Auburn. We did get some good on good and got some guys healthy and in a position where hopefully they can put together a good game plan this week.”

The final home game in Fayetteville this season, Saturday’s matchup with Auburn will also serve as Senior Day for Arkansas. While his time with this senior class has been a short one, Bielema said the relationships have been special.

“I’m excited for the seniors,” Bielema said. “It’s a very special week for them. I’ve had limited opportunity to get to know these guys, obviously, just walking in in December. But, I wouldn’t trade my time with them for anything. Getting to know them, getting to go through certain things and having them come in my office as complete strangers. Hopefully when we take the game field on Saturday, they know how much I love them and trust them and have faith in them.”

Bielema said the Razorbacks still feel they have plenty to play for this season and that the challenge of Auburn coming into Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is one they are ready to embrace.

“The No. 1 motivation in my opinion for us this week playing Auburn is to gain respect,” Bielema said. “Play the game the way you know you’re capable of playing, play a four-quarter game for these seniors. It’s the last time for them in Razorback Stadium. Give them something to walk out with their head high.”

***

Gus Malzahn discusses his quarterback:

AUBURN, Ala. — No video is needed. Gus Malzahn will watch quarterback Nick Marshall at practice today and the rest of the week  to determine how his quarterback’s sore shoulder looks heading into Saturday’s game at Arkansas.

Marshall made an early exit in last week’s win over Florida Atlantic after he drove a defender out of bounds. Still, Malzahn struck a optimistic tone in his weekly Tuesday press conference, saying hoping Marshall would be full speed at practice and be ready for Saturday’s game at Arkansas.

“It’s day to day right now. The fact that he was out there practicing Sunday I thought was a positive. We’ll know more each day,” Malzahn said.

Marshall and a lot of other players seemed to be in fine shape as they took in an Auburn exhibition game Monday night.

Jeremy Johnson filled in for Marshall last week, as he did in a win over Western Carolina.

“He’s got a lot of reps… I got to believe that will help. He’s a pretty calm guy, too. I know our offensive players have a lot of confidence in him, and that’s very important,” Malzahn said.

Marshall and a lot of other players seemed to be in fine shape as they took in an Auburn exhibition game Monday night.

Injuries or not, Auburn is one of the hottest teams around at a surprising 7-1. Malzahn said his players are “getting more confident each week, but each week presents its own challenges and especially in this league. You got to improve. That’s been our message. I know I sound like a broken record, but our only focus is Arkansas and we know we got our hands full with them.”

Malzahn took the high road in discussing Arkansas, complimenting Razorback coach Bret Bielema, and saying any issues Bielema had with Auburn video would be dealt with.

“The film exchange issue was brought to my attention yesterday. We’ll always operate with the utmost integrity in everything we do and if there’s ever anything I don’t know about that’s brought to my attention, we’ll deal with it in a prompt matter,” Malzahn said. “The SEC office is aware of all the details on both sides.”

Bielema said in the spring that fast-paced offenses could lead to injuries. Malzahn said he doesn’t see it that way.

“When I was standing up for our no-huddle, it wasn’t directed at any one person. As a matter of fact, there were a lot of people that were coming out and saying stuff regarding that,” Malzahn said. “I was just standing up for our philosophy and what we believe in on that.”

Malzahn called Bielema “an excellent coach. I mean, look at his track record.”

It’ll be a homecoming for Malzahn, who was a high school legend in Arkansas;  for offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, a record-setting high school quarterback in that state; and for others with Arkansas ties.

But, Malzahn said, that doesn’t matter.

“If you ask our players and coaches, I get excited no matter who we’re playing,” Malzahn said. “I try to be very consistent. This is a big game. They’ve had a week to prepare— another week to prepare — and that definitely concerns me. So we expect it to be a tough one.”

***

From Auburn, regarding the team’s offensive line play:

AUBURN, Ala. – Before they played a game, before they even practiced, Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes had a message for his players. If they were going to play for Auburn, they would strive to play harder and tougher than anyone else.

Junior guard Chad Slade knew what that looked like. He’d seen it as freshman redshirt in 2010 when the Tigers won the national championship. And eight games into his junior season, he sees it again.

“Coach Grimes has brought a lot to us,” Slade said Tuesday. “He’s brought that we have to be physical in each game. We can’t go out there and mess up and have mental mistakes. You have to go out there and play one snap at a time. You can’t worry about the next play or the play you’ve just done. It’s all about the next play.

“He’s brought a lot of intensity to the offensive line. He’s going to keep doing the same thing. Coach Grimes is a person that is never going to change. I believe he’s making us 10 times better than we were.”

With the offensive line paving the way, the Tigers are 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference in Gus Malzahn’s first season as head coach. They lead the SEC with 315.4 yards per game, 91 yards per game ahead of second-place Missouri. They are tied for second in fewest sacks allowed, one behind Arkansas.

“It feels good to know we are leading the league, but we have to keep improving and keep getting better,” Slade said. “We can do so much more. We still have room for improvement and room to get more done. I believe we can continue to get better.”

Auburn’s offensive could get a boost Saturday with the return of sophomore right tackle Pat Miller, who started the first five games but was suspended for the past three games. Sophomore Avery Young has started the past three games.

“Playing next to both of them, they are both competitive guys,” Slade said. “I know Pat wants to win that starting spot and I know Avery has to keep it. It’s going to be good competition. I know both of them are going to get after it. It’s going to be very intense between those two. When it comes down to the end of the day, Coach is going to pick the right person.”

With four straight wins, the Tigers head into the home stretch with their destiny under their control. But Slade says they won’t look ahead.

“We just have to keep going out there and playing our game,” Slade said. “We can’t let the rankings get to us. We can’t get the big head about it. We are going to take each game one at a time, and whatever happens at the end of the season happens.”

***

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team continued game week preparation on Tuesday for its upcoming Senior Day game on Saturday against Auburn.

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Chaney met with the media after practice and talked about how the bye week helped the team in preparation for this week’s game.

“Well we had a good week last week,” Chaney said. “We got some work done. Cleaned up some stuff that needed to be fixed. Today was a very spirited practice. The kids were flying around excited about the opportunities that are ahead of them.”

Chaney emphasized the importance of consistency for the team’s offense.

“We have to keep striving for consistency throughout our offense,” Chaney said. “That is what we are all looking for, coaches and players included.”

Chaney also talked about the execution of the offense.

“I want to execute a play,” Chaney said. “I want us to then go out and execute another play and eventually end up in the end zone. I want us to score one more point than they get on Saturday. Whether it be 12-11 or 61-60 I am happy. I just want us to win.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. The game is the final on-campus on-campus game, and the program’s seniors will be recognized in a special ceremony prior to kickoff.

***

Gus Mazlahn’s Press Conference Transcript from earlier this week previewing the game at Arkansas: