Razorbacks Turn Their Attention to Mississippi State

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback football team began its game-week practices Tuesday getting into the game plan for its game with Mississippi State Saturday in Little Rock. Head coach Houston Nutt like the way his players came out with a lot of effort during the 90-minute workout.

“There’s a lot of football left and these next two weeks are very, very important,” Nutt said. “(There are) 120 minutes (of football) left and it starts in Little Rock and before we get there to Little Rock it takes this week of great preparation and getting ready to go.”

Nutt gave credit to the UA scout teams for giving the team a great look Tuesday during practice. The head coach said Arkansas will need to be ready for a Mississippi State team that is playing well at this stage of the season.

“They’ve got a good offensive line and have been running that football,” Nutt said of the Bulldog running attack which features tailback Anthony Dixon. “They have got a defense that has a lot of confidence right now.”

Junior tailback Felix Jones did not practice Tuesday. Jones left the Hogs’ game Saturday against Tennessee in the third quarter with a deep thigh bruise. Nutt said as the week progress, they will be able to tell if Jones can play against Mississippi State.

“(Felix) is getting a lot of treatment,” Nutt said. “He’s very, very sore and we just won’t know for a few days.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Razorback secondary welcomed two players back to the field.

“It was good to see Kevin Woods out here today,” Nutt said. “He was moving around very good today. It was also good to see Walner (Leandre) back.”

Both Arkansas and Mississippi State enter this weekend’s game with a 6-4 record and stand bowl eligible. Nutt knows each team has a lot to play for and it all begins with the work leading up to Saturday.

“There’s nothing like winning,” Nutt said. “There’s nothing like a celebrated locker room and that’s exactly our intention. The way we practiced today showed us that our guys really care and they’re working toward that goal.”

The UA football team will return to the practice fields Wednesday to continue its preparation for Mississippi State. Saturday’s game is set to kickoff at 1 p.m. CT at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark. Log on to www.hogwired.com for more news about Razorback football.