Razorbacks continue preparations for Alabama

FAYETTEVILLE – Another two-hour practice and the wheels are in motion for the Arkansas football team to play the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday afternoon at 11:30 a.m. at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

The Hogs went through their customary Wednesday practice session as they finished installing their game plan for the weekend and began to fine tune the areas that they feel were strongest. Wednesday’s session saw the defense make good strides which was echoed by defensive coordinator Willy Robinson’s post-practice comments.

“They are really working hard,” Robinson said. “That is one thing that I can really give them credit for. They are working hard, the last two days we saw improvement in some areas and we have to be able to stop the run to compete with this football team.”

The Razorbacks changed gears last week when their game with Texas was postponed to Hurricane Ike and the extra time in the office preparing for the Alabama game has been a bonus for the Hogs both on the field and off. The Razorback coaching staff has also felt the change of pace in their daily work schedules.

“It’s been wonderful,” Robinson said about the extra time to prepare. “In a 24-hour period last week we managed to switch over from Texas to Alabama. That was a little hard to change that mindset but it gave us a little extra time to prepare and I was sitting here this afternoon thinking about why I have about an hour of extra time to do my notes or write letters or whatever it is I needed to do. We got some extra time to prepare so hopefully that is an advantage on our part.”

Those extra reps in practice and film room preparation gave the Arkansas defense more time to dissect the Alabama offense that according to coach Robinson have talented and big personnel.

“They are big and physical up front,” Robinson said. “Their running backs are pretty special.”

He also spoke about Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson who drove Alabama to a game-winning fourth quarter touchdown against the Razorbacks last year.

“I think that if he gets a hot hand and we let him keep that hot hand he’ll kill us,” Robinson said. “We have to disrupt him. If we can, then he is a little bit different quarterback. If he has time and we aren’t doing anything to keep him uncomfortable, then he can pick you apart.”

The Hogs are back on the field for their final tune up before the Alabama game on Thursday afternoon. For more information regarding Razorback football or University of Arkansas athletics please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.