Assistant Coaches Quotes

Running backs coach Joel Thomas on playing the Texas Bowl in the Monday Night Football TV slot: “We are the show on Monday night, not just in Arkansas or the SEC, but in America. Our guys have played in the spotlight and in big games and I know they will embrace this opportunity.”

Defensive coordinator Robb Smith on the team’s confidence: “Anytime you have success and you prepare like our boys have prepared, it leads to confidence. We will always have that moving forward and preparing for this bowl game and even going into next season as a tool for momentum. I think Coach Bielema does a great job encouraging all of us, players and coaches, to buy into what we are trying to accomplish.”

Tight ends coach Barry Lunney on freshman tight end Jack Kraus: “Jack has really slimmed down, which I think is a positive thing. He has trimmed his body fat significantly. Jack has gotten the majority of the reps with the younger guys, reason being the rest of my group typically plays on Saturdays. We’ve seen some good things from him, and he’s shown some flashes of the reason we signed him.”

Defensive line coach Rory Segrest on freshman defensive tackle Bijhon Jackson: “Bijohn has come a really long way. He is probably playing half our snaps at the nose position. Earlier in the year I was trying to spot rep him here and there until he found his way through, but from a technique standpoint he has come such a long way. He has the physical tools – he just needs to continue to get better.”

Arkansas will travel to Houston to take on the Texas Longhorns in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl. The SEC/BIG12 matchup will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Fans can find more information on the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl game at the Bowl Central page at www.arkrazor.com/bowl.