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10.23.2021 KEYS TO VICTORY Don't you just love nicknames? How about Wayne "Thumper" Harris, perhaps the best linebacker in Arkansas football history? He was a two-time All-American in 1959-60 and later was a dominant player in the Canadian Football League. It's doubtful that he picked his own nickname, but he loved it and lived up to it with his play. The one exception to picking your own nickname has to be college bands. Yes, it's common to reference them simply as its done at Arkansas — the Razorback Marching Band. But it's OK if someone in the band or music department comes up with something else, as they have at the UA: The Best in Sight and Sound. I've heard that during halftime announcements for years. It's a cool nickname. But get ready for another good nickname when the Arkansas-Pine Bluff unit takes the field at War Memorial Stadium in what is sure to be a fun halftime performance Saturday. UAPB features the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South. The UAPB students have shortened that to M4, a pretty cool nickname. And, it's a cool band that has marched before a president, performed at NFL games and generally show out each time. Expect a big, solid sound. This space is usually reserved for the scouting report for the game, but not this week. There are too many differences between the divisions of football, starting with the number of scholarships. The rosters are just not similar. Instead, as early as last week my thoughts on the bands seemed more important, especially when I began a thorough scouting of the UAPB's 350-piece outfit. I was sent a YouTube video of its complete halftime performance from earlier this season. I was a bit surprised when I learned they called themselves M4, because I thought M5 was a better fit. As the band streamed onto the field, the band's "voice" introduced the Magnificent Marching Musical Machine of the Mid- South. M4, or M5, will be a perfect complement for the Best in Sight and Sound. And, as I watched the video, my need for further research was heightened. Ben Lorenzo, the director of the Razorback Marching Band since 2015, was delighted to reveal that not only will both bands perform, but the halftime will conclude with a "massed" performance of Michael Jackson's 1983 hit "Beat It." Collaborations aren't easy to plan, so this is a major development and should be applauded as the sister bands won't have a chance to practice before the 11 a.m. kickoff. It's tough enough for the Razorback band to just get to the stadium in time for the game. They will bring 400 marchers in seven busses, leaving campus at 3 a.m. "We are really excited, but it's a real ambitious performance," Lorenzo said. "There has been a lot of planning and a lot of work to go into this type of a collaboration. We want the work to pay off for our students and the fans." The bands are similar, but different, Lorenzo said. They have the same numbers and probably the same instrumentation groupings. "I am very familiar with the bands from the Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) and they are fantastic with a rich history," Lorenzo said. "They probably have a lot more emphasis on the visual and choreography and we emphasize more precision marching. "What I'll say is that they do is a marching style, but it's just as much dance. They have a large band and they play very well." Lorenzo, who holds two degrees from Texas, has background with the Texas Tech and Oklahoma State bands. "Every university has its own traditions and style as far the band," he said. "We have ours, but the fun thing about bands is that there are no rivalries. It is rare for a band to be anything but friendly with another school's band. "It is great fun to watch another band perform. Unfortunately, for this game, we won't get to watch (M4) because we are going to be busy getting ready to perform or to perform with them. I do know they will have an incredible program." Lorenzo said there are a few differences in the way the bands are constructed. "We have a few different percussion instruments than they do," he said. "It's just a different sound. We have a frontal ensemble – with marimbas — maybe a 15-member section they don't have. It's a minor difference. "The traditional color guard is a bit different, too….They have more of a dance unit than we do." Fans should know it took much planning to pull off the halftime show. "We started working on this as soon as the game was announced last year," he said. "The details of the logistics began in the spring, as far as the travel plans. But we do this a lot. It's a way of band life." It didn't take long for the two band leaders to decide to play together to end the performance. "We came up with a theme. October is breast cancer awareness month, and then we thought of covid-vaccine awareness," Lorenzo said. "(The song) 'Beat It' seemed perfect." There should be no argument. It's all among friends. Now here are 10 keys to the game on either side of halftime. FOCUS Obviously, I'm not helping with my lead commentary on the bands, not the game. I'll take the blame if focus is missing for this game. Arkansas should win the game. The only time the Hogs have ever lost to a team from the FCS level came in 1992 when The Citadel came to Fayetteville to end Jack Crowe's time as coach with a 10-3 victory. This should not be close. In the last 10 years, the Golden Lions have lost their five games against FBS teams — to Arkansas State (twice), TCU, Texas State and Akron — by an average score of 53-5. The predictions indicate another rout is expected. So the obvious key is for the Hogs to remain focused. That's not easy to do when you are the heavy favorite. CONTAINMENT Quarterback Skyler Perry is the most dangerous of the Golden Lions. He's an adept scrambler. He's a lefty and that might throw off the Hogs. The last starting southpaw quarterback was Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa in 2018. Perry isn't Tua, but he's the kind of quarterback who sometimes gives the Hogs trouble with his impromptu play. The Lions hurt you most when plays break down. He's a veteran. This is his third season to start. The SWAC played a spring season because of fall cancellations because of the pandemic. Perry was second team All-SWAC. So the second key would have to be containment of Perry. He's the kind of quarterback that all defensive coordinators fear. His strengths are his speed and elusiveness and not so much his passing. He's thrown for only two TDs through the first six games. COMMENTARY HALFTIME ALL AMONG FRIENDS CLAY HENRY See KEYS, Page 4 Backup quarterback Malik Hornsby may get extensive snaps if the Razorbacks can build an early lead against the Golden Lions. 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