Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman challenged his team this week. And through the first three practices leading up to the BYU game, the Razorbacks have prepared with a game-type atmosphere, according to junior running back AJ Green.
Green and senior defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat were guests on the “Sam Pittman Live” radio show at the Catfish Hole Wednesday night. Both offered some insight as to what the focus and preparation has been like for Saturday’s game against a Big 12 opponent.
“We didn’t really play up to our standards against Kent State,” Green admitted. “So, coming in on Monday I already knew that practice was going to be like a game-type deal. And that’s been everybody’s mindset this week. We are all just flying around, correcting the mistakes that we made in that game, and getting better every day.”
Green started in the backfield against the Golden Flashes, replacing injured starter Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, and responded with 82 yards on 15 carries, for a 5.5 yard average. He will likely be the lead ball-carrier again this week as Sanders is slated to miss another game.
With first-year offensive coordinator Dan Enos installing a new offense this season, the Razorbacks have continued to adjust in the first two games, but hope to have things ironed out for the Cougars.
“This is still a new offense for all of us, so we are all still learning it, trying to perfect our craft,” Green said. “We’ve obviously got some new people on the line, some people have left, so we are still getting comfortable with each other. We’re just going to keep getting better. That’s what we are working on every week.”
He said Sanders, who has been hampered by a sore knee, has remained a vital part of the running back room, helping out in any way he can.
“He’s still in there with us, watching film and stuff,” Green said. “He’s always in our ear telling us stuff, and helping us out with the plays.”
The defense has looked sharp through the first two games, allowing just one total touchdown in the pair of victories. But Jeffcoat, who was just named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, said the grind continues to keep improving.
The Missouri transfer was a big factor in the win over Kent State, recording three tackles, with two tackles for loss of 11 yards, and added a career-high 1.5 sacks, for a loss of nine yards. He made a huge play at the goal line to help keep the Golden Flashes out of the end zone, and helped Arkansas hold their opponents to just 26 total rushing yards – the fewest by a Razorback opponent since New Mexico State gained just 11 yards, in 2017.
“Every day, we are just out there getting better,” he said. “Every day, everybody makes plays. As a unit we look at it as we have a lot of ammunition for every team. Everybody on our defensive line is good — our whole defense is good this year. It’s a great companionship out there. We just reload and keep going.”
Green, who has to face that defensive front in practice, totally agrees.
“They are all super good and they just roll,” he said. “They can wear an offensive line out, easily. They know how to get off the edge. They know how to win inside. It’s hard going against them everyday, but it gives us great looks. And I think that’s why our offensive line and running game is going to get way better.”
Jeffcoat said they have studied the film and game-planned for the Cougars. Now it’s just a matter of hitting the field and performing.
“It’s definitely going to be a dog fight, and we respect the other team, but we also know who we are,” he said.
