Gameday Extra

12.12.2020 BEST OF THE WEB Jones has thrown for 3,113 yards and 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions in 255 passing attempts. "He doesn't throw to the other team," Pittman said. "He manages the game. He's a winner. You get that he has great feel when you watch the tape. He gets the ball out quickly and runs that offense. He is an epitome of a team leader. He's what everyone would like to have at quarterback. He gives his team energy." FELEIPE FRANKS OR KJ JEFFERSON? The Hogs could play both at quarterback. Franks has rib injuries, along with other bumps and issues. He tried to warm up twice at Missouri, but was unable to play. They have split time with the first team this week in practice. Pittman said if Franks can't go, Jefferson will start. But, he admits that both could play. Franks completed 18 of 33 for 274 yards against Missouri, the third-best passing day by the UA offense this season. Franks threw for 318 against Auburn and 339 vs. LSU. "Franks has practiced and we will see how he feels (in pregame)," Pittman said. "He's done a nice job, but he's not 100%. There is potential to play both, yes." Arkansas players say it doesn't matter, both are capable of leading a victory. Catalon said he's seen the growth in Jefferson as the under study to Franks. "I've seen KJ from the get- go," Catalon said of his fellow redshirt freshman. "He looks up to Feleipe and makes sure he's always next to him." STOP THE RUN The Tide can and will throw often and early, but the offense features one of the nation's top running games. Running back Najee Harris has 1,038 yards and 20 TDs. He averages 6.1 per carry. The backup runners are good, too. Catalon said it's a matter of everyone on the defense wanting to make the play. "It's the mentality, all it comes down to, who wants to lay it down," Catalon said. "All of Alabama's backs are physical. They are top tier backs. You have to have the mentality (in the secondary) that you come down and stop them." MOVE THE BALL The mission is always to out score the other team and that's what this game might come down to, just like last week. The offense might have to outscore the Tide. Can an offensive line that has grown by leaps and bounds take another step up against a solid Alabama defense? Left tackle Myron Cunningham, named a team captain last week, has been the cornerstone of an O-line that has blocked well over the last half of the season, except for against LSU. There have been holes on the left side where guard Brady Latham has meshed with Cunningham. The Hogs rushed for 292 on 52 runs last week to finally make some headway in the time of possession battle. Cunningham said the Hogs almost hit the team goal. "It was probably our best performance," Cunningham said. "It was especially in the run and we almost hit 300, our goal. We are getting closer. "As far as Alabama, I think we match up well. It should be a fun game." The Hogs have to contain linebackers Christian Harris and Dylan Moses. End Christian Barmore is an NFL prospect, but the real chore will be to block outside linebacker Will Anderson, a true freshman who stuffed LSU's best tackle last week in Baton Rouge. FUN MATCHUP If there is one head-to-head battle that will be worth the price of admission it's when Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II is assigned Arkansas flanker Treylon Burks. Burks has 49 catches for 804 yards. He made 10 catches for 206 yards against Missouri. Surtain is the nation's best cover corner. He would deserve Heisman votes, although they rarely go to defensive players. He plays physical at the line of scrimmage and battles for every inch with his hands in what borders on pass interference. He likely will ask to cover Burks. If Surtain can handle Burks without safety help, it will free the rest of the Tide secondary to concentrate on stopping the run, something Missouri couldn't do last week. The Tigers bracketed Burks with safety help, but still couldn't stop him. Keys n Continued from Page 2 A selection of comments from Razorback fans posted to the message boards at WholeHogSports.com: FANS REMEMBER FRED AKERS, A FORMER ARKANSAS PLAYER WHO COACHED THE TEXAS LONGHORNS. vaham: RIP Fred Akers. A Blytheville Chickasaw and Razorback. bluegrassrazorback: Thanks for all the memories. Great legacy for your family and college football. SwineFusion: Another of one of my dad's teammates. People on that '59 SWC co-champion team are dwindling fast. dfwtexhog: Liked Akers but it always bothered me in his later years he turned his back on Arkansas and embraced the Longhorns. One of my greatest memories of Arkansas football was our 1981 beating of No. 1 Texas, coached by Akers, 42-11 in Fayetteville. When Frank Broyles was asked by reporters about whether he would try to hire Akers from UT after Lou Holtz departed, his response was effectively that "we have Akers coaching right where we want him." ncshwartz3650: He was always a class act and always a Razorback to me. poochpunt: My dad took me to my first Razorback game that day (in 1959 when Akers made a 29-yard field goal to beat TCU 3-0 and help clinch an SWC title). I remember well Freddie Akers kicking that field goal. I was 15 years old at the time. The road from Alpena to Huntsville was unpaved, so any trip to get to a game was a rough ride. neastarkie: I remember an ABC football Saturday broadcast with Frank Broyles and Keith Jackson. ABC showed the AP Top 10 on the screen. Apparently during a commercial break, Frank told Keith that the coach of each of the top three teams (Miami, OU and Texas) were coached by former Broyles players (Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer and Fred Akers). It so impressed Jackson that he came back on after the commercial and made a big deal of it. Fact is, it was an impressive piece of information. ON THE RAZORBACKS' CHOICE TO WEAR WHITE HELMETS IN LAST WEEK'S 50-48 LOSS TO MISSOURI: SwineFusion: Do we break out the chrome lids for 'Bama? ClayHenry: I just want them to break the chrome helmets. SwineFusion: I'd rather they break the white ones. Chrome red is still red. ClayHenry: I guess I don't like either one. But they are not doing that to appeal to old guys like me. bluegrassrazorback: I hate the white helmets. The chrome red is still red and they have won me over. keithguthrie: Don't care which helmet. As long as it has a hog on it, I'm all in. Just don't want our tacklers leading with any of the helmets. But it's OK to lead with the shoulder pads. Didn't see enough of that (against Missouri). mossylakehog: I'm an older guy, but I like the white helmets with the red hog when we're on the road. That white helmet from a couple of years ago with the outline of the hog was horrible. Hope it is gone forever. bushhog: I'm all for breaking the white helmets. I have to pretend I'm not accidentally watching Texas and keep shaking my head. neastarkie: I can live with the red chrome helmets. Do not care for the white helmets. …We play more like Razorbacks of old this year wearing traditional uniforms. Ritchie: … White helmets are worn by Texas and Penn State. While helmets do not represent Arkansas. rebuildingsince89: Not since 1951, anyway. porkbuttgary: I'll take chrome over anthracite. Jeremy: I personally love the red chrome. I do not dig the white bonnets. woodhog14: We are 2-11 in white helmets since we started wearing them in 2014. wizardofhogz: The red chrome helmets are extra-nice. But the ought to be reserved for "special" games where something important in on the line. eaglehog5: I think we should mimic the 'Bama helmets for the 'Bama game. Wear crimson helmets with a single white stripe and white numerals on the sides. Might get into their heads and even cause (Alabama QB) Mac Jones to throw a pic or two. HOW DO THE ARKANSAS COACHES FIX THE DEFENSE? redporkhustle: Per Sam …"They beat us up," Pittman said. "Their offensive line whipped us on our defensive line. Their receivers were open. They beat us in man coverage and they beat us in zone coverage. We couldn't get to the quarterback. We couldn't get either runner on the ground." Can existing players be developed and coached up? Is recruiting HS players going to be good enough to quickly add enough talent to make a difference? Do we try to get some grad transfers? That seems pretty iffy. So, for the board experts, how does the problem get fixed? ncschwartz3650: Well, for one thing, they can fix Grant Morgan's leg first. That was an absolutely crucial loss. Not that the defense was perfect before he was hurt, but given our offense, it was good enough. anotherapproach: Not an easy fix if you ask me. Player development and recruiting (especially for depth with the offensive system we are running) are of equal importance. jimbeau77: For quicker fix it will require mostly coaching up what we have. We are not going to recruit to many instant fixes. Jalen Catalon is exception. two- to-three years of top notch recruiting is vastly needed. moark777: All games are won on the line of scrimmage. Most All-SEC quarterbacks will beat you if you allow them to get comfortable. Arkansas can't put pressure on the quarterback without sending more people, which is a big gamble. (Defensive coordinator Barry) Odom plays this defense hoping the opponent will make a mistake before they can score. SwineFusion: In modern football, with people throwing 40-50 passes, even if you get five or six sacks and four or five hurries that's still a whole lot of plays that the DBs have to hold up, and the linebackers have to make the plays in the running game. Grant Morgan is a warrior and has played unbelievably well, but you shouldn't be starting a former walk-on as your "mike." razorwill: Recruiting, plain and simple. bikehog23: Speed. We need speed. Missouri killed us on the edge. Even our corners couldn't react quick enough to prevent big yardage chunks. That Hudson Clark was the leading tackler says a lot to me – Missouri was targeting his side both passing and running. When a walk- on freshman is the starting corner, you have depth issues at that position. youdaman: To be great on defense you have to stop the run and put pressure on QB. The best way to do that is blitz but to do that you are going to have to play man coverage. Odom hasn't shown he likes to do that, but with the talent we have he can't do it. Starts up front (where we) have to get big athletic defensive linemen; fast, aggressive linebackers and defensive backs who specialize in man coverage. We basically have none of the above, so only way to fix the defense is to overhaul it with SEC talent. Going to take two-three years. SCORE PREDICTIONS FOR SATURDAY'S GAME AGAINST NO. 1 ALABAMA. daboar: A whole bunch to no bunch. bluegrassrazorback: My hope is Arkansas finds something and raises up and surprises 'Bama. … Outside of a miracle, 'Bama 50-plus, Arkansas 14. hogbacker: I don't feel like there's any team in college football with more heart than the players and staff of our Razorbacks, but it will not be enough to get us a win this weekend. I do like our future chances of competing with the top schools down the road …. Riddled with injuries I have no score prediction, but I bet we show up and give 100%. jmetsrule: I predict we are only down 14 at the half. Then, it slowly unravels because we just don't have the depth. We lose 52-20, but it feels a lot closer for almost three quarters. generalhog: 42-21, Arkansas. bluegrassrazorback: Please let it be so! What a great memory that would be. southpaw: I predict 'Bama wins fairly easily, and after the game, we spend hours discussing officiating. PLEASANT GROVE 2603 W Pleasant Grove Rd Ste 114 Rogers, AR 72758-5803 (479) 633-8340 FAYETTEVILLE-AR EAST 3557 N Shiloh Dr Ste 5 Fayetteville, AR 72703-5316 (479) 571-3689 Now through December 31, 2020. Best of Northwest Arkansas the FAYETTEVILLE 3557 N Shiloh Dr 479-571-3689 ROGERS 2603 W Pleasant Grove Rd 479-633-8340 Mon-Fri 8a-10p | Sat 8a-10p | Sun 10a-8p * Promotional offer ends December 31, 2020 and only while supplies last. Limit 2 per transaction. Service voucher must be purchased at the non-member rate. Promotional Voucher has no cash value. Each voucher is valid toward a 60-minute massage, facial, or stretch session. Promotional voucher is for promotional purposes only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other of- fers. Voucher(s) may not be replaced if lost or stolen. Service voucher and promotional voucher must be present upon check-in. Each voucher does not include gratuity. All session times include up to at least 10 minutes for consultation and dressing, which occur pre and post service. Rates and services may vary by location and session. For a specific list of services, check with specific franchised lo- cation or visit MassageEnvy. com. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Other rules may apply. Each location is independently owned and operated. TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE APPLIED TO VOUCHERS. ©2020 ME SPE Franchising, LLC. ME-DNLD-1922-00-002-8x11 Now through December 31, 2020. PLEASANT GROVE FAYETTEVILLE-AR EAST We're Open * Sessions must be purchased at non-member rate only. Fayetteville 2558 E. Mission Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 3589 N. College Ave., Ste. B Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 Fort Smith 5420 Phoenix Ave., Ste. B Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.763.0725 Rogers Downtown 214 W. Walnut St. Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3227 809 SW 52nd St., Ste. 102B Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3588 Gateway Mortgage, a division of Gateway First Bank. NMLS 7233. C O N T A C T O N E O F O U R L O C A L M O R T G A G E C E N T E R S T O D A Y ! Get in the game with Gateway www.GatewayLoan.com Local expertise Powerful resources Reliable solutions Looking for a different kind of mortgage experience? Choose Gateway where our local, knowledgeable mortgage professionals deliver superior service plus: Fayetteville 2558 E. Mission Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 3589 N. College Ave., Ste. B Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 Fort Smith 5420 Phoenix Ave., Ste. B Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.763.0725 Rogers Downtown 214 W. Walnut St. Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3227 809 SW 52nd St., Ste. 102B Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3588 Gateway Mortgage, a division of Gateway First Bank. NMLS 7233. C O N T A C T O N E O F O U R L O C A L M O R T G A G E C E N T E R S T O D A Y ! Get in the game with Gateway www.GatewayLoan.com Local expertise Powerful resources Reliable solutions Looking for a different kind of mortgage experience? Choose Gateway where our local, knowledgeable mortgage professionals deliver superior service plus: CONTACT ONE OF OUR LOCAL MORTGAGE CENTERS TODAY! Fayetteville 2558 E. Mission Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 3589 N. College Ave., Ste. B Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 Fort Smith 5420 Phoenix Ave., Ste. B Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.763.0725 Rogers Downtown 214 W. Walnut St. Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3227 809 SW 52nd St., Ste. 102B Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3588 www.GatewayLoan.com Michael Woods/AP Grant Morgan's tackling ability will be tough to replace, but his leadership is just as important.

• Cover