Smothers Earns Weekly SEC Props

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After helping pave the way for a team season-high 291 yards on the ground and 300 yards through the air in the win over UT Martin, Arkansas senior center Mitch Smothers has been named the SEC Lineman of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday morning.

Smothers is the second member of the Arkansas offensive line to be honored by the SEC this season, joining senior Sebastian Tretola, and also marks the second straight week that a Razorback has earned weekly praise from the SEC. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw was named the SEC Freshman of the Week last Monday.

Led by Smothers orchestrating the nation’s biggest offensive line, Arkansas ran for over 250 yards and passed for 300 yards against UT Martin, marking the first time since 2011 that the Razorbacks have hit those marks in a single game. Smothers graded out at a team-best 91 percent in his 21st straight start at center. In the win over UT Martin, running back Alex Collins ran for a season-high 173 yards, while Arkansas’ 291 yards on the ground were also a season-best. The Razorbacks have run for over 200 yards in five of the last six games.

Riding a two-game win streak with back-to-back games of 50-plus points for just the second time in program history, Arkansas will travel to Oxford, Miss. on Saturday to take on No. 19 Ole Miss. Game time is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.