By Nate Allen
Special to the News-Times
FAYETTEVILLE - Chad Morris wished he had a quick answer to the fast question.
Since, the LSU Tigers last Saturday in Fayetteville held Morris’ Razorbacks to 16 yards net rushing, even as Arkansas battled back from a 24-3 deficit in last Saturday’s 24-17 SEC loss, how can Arkansas effectively run the ball against the allegedly faster Mississippi Bulldogs defense Saturday in Starkville, Miss?
“A lot of teams have been trying to figure that out too this year,” Morris said. “I think they have only given up 12 touchdowns all year long, nine coming into last week. They are extremely fast, physical and they are athletic at all positions. As I shared earlier, this is the fastest overall, top to bottom, team defensively that we've seen.”
So what’s Arkansas’ answer as first-year coach Morris’ Razorbacks, 2-8, 0-6 in the SEC, and first-year Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead’s Bulldogs, 6-4, 2-4, kick off their SEC West game at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN at MSU’s Davis Wade Stadium?
“Again, it goes back to us,” Morris said. “We've got to do a good job of sustaining blocks. When we do get our opportunities, we've got to make sure we're picking up the three, four yard gains at times. And mix up the run and the pass.”
BOYD AND WHALEY
Joe Craddock, Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, noted that top Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd exited last Saturday’s second half with an ankle injury and that Arkansas’ second leading rusher, running back Devwah Whaley, hadn’t played since injuring an ankle during the Oct. 13 37-33 SEC loss to Ole Miss in Little Rock.
Both are expected to play Saturday in Starkville, according to the Morris and Craddock running commentary.
“I think he and Rakeem make a great team together,” Morris said.
When they last spelled each other against Ole Miss, Boyd netted 109 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while Whaley toted 12 time for 73.
Even minus Whaley, Boyd against the Alabama defense that skunked Mississippi State 24-0 last Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Boyd netted 102 yards on 15 carries in the 65-31 loss to the nationally No. 1 Crimson Tide in Fayetteville.
BACK TO BASICS
Obviously, the blocking and running wasn’t there for Boyd against LSU, 10 carries for 30 yards until injured.
Arkansas went one dimensional playing catch-up on quarterback Ty Storey’s throwing (19-for-30 for 200 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdown strikes to tight end Cheyenne O’Grady versus one interception.
“We have to get back to what we do,” Craddock said of establishing the run. “I thought LSU, they were good up front. We were able to cover them up at times and hit some decent runs.
“Then other times, they were able to win at the point of attack and were able to stop us. Again, we have to focus on what we do. We have to focus on ourselves and make sure we know exactly what we’re doing every play.”
Boyd said he and Whaley together naturally become better.
“Me and him together is unstoppable,” Boyd said. “That’ll be good and fun to watch.”
MSU HAS MUCH TO DO, TOO
Post the Tide engulfing the Bulldogs’ offense 24-0, former Penn State offensive coordinator Moorhead said Mississippi State has some offensive retooling of its own to do before the Hogs hit Starkville.
“There’s a reason they (Alabama) are the No. 1 ranked team in the country and defending national champion,” Moorhead said.
“I thought we fought hard in all three phases. I thought our defense gave us a chance and I thought the offense really didn’t do enough to allow us to pull off an upset of that caliber.”
Arkansas waged an entirely closed practice Thursday and flies to Mississippi Friday.