Tackling Texas: Longhorns a better matchup for UA defense?

Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson has already heard it, and he wasn’t about to let the media ask the question as soon as he walked up to the microphones and tape recorders this evening.

Yes, he said, Arkansas missed some tackles against Alabama on Saturday, as he started talking before the first question was fired.

“We’re working on it. We work on it all the time,” Robinson said. “Maybe it was the fact that we played Alabama and they were awed by Alabama. But technique, if your eyes are right, that body right there is going to look no different week in and week out.”

Robinson said it took heart to fix the tackling problems. Well, he didn’t really say it until prompted. He incited Gene Hackman from the film The Replacements and started tapping his chest with a rolled piece of paper.

“Heart,” he said.

The message from Robinson to the players this week, senior Will linebacker Elston Forte said, was simple.

“Step your game up. Step it up.”

For the time being, it seems they have. The UA defense had its best Tuesday practice of the season this week, Robinson said. “You wish you could replay that (Alabama) game but you can’t. Our kids are focused for this game. We had a good Wednesday practice.”

VIDEO: Robinson, Forte think Hogs up to tough Texas task

So who’s stepping out on the practice field? Linebacker Freddy Burton, who was suspended for the first two games this season because of a drunken driving charge, has done a “nice job” this week in practice. Burton, Robinson said, is now a starter.

“He had a really good game on special teams last week,” Robinson said. “(Malcom) Sheppard had a nice game. He’s playing with heart.”

Defensive ends Jake Bequette and Antwain Robinson were also singled out by Robinson.

“I thought our corners stood out,” said Robinson, who seemed to be giving kudos to just about everyone before adding, “But as far as some of the linebackers and safeties, we’ve got a ways to go.”

A BETTER MATCH-UP?

The Arkansas defense will match up better with Texas’ offense than it did with Alabama’s rolling offensive onslaught, Robinson believes.

“Not all that power stuff we faced a week ago,” Robinson explained. “Now it’s zone blocking and QB reads. Great skill kids and the quarterback is a great football player. Great offensive front, but it’s a lot different offense.”

At the controls is quarterback Colt McCoy, who tossed a school-record four touchdowns last week in a 52-10 win over Rice. McCoy also led the team on the ground with 83 rushing yards on eight carries.

“Because of that young man’s acceleration, they’ve really added a dimension,” Robinson said. “It’s not an Alabama that’s going to punch you in the mouth. Now these guys are strong up front, because they’ll pancake you if you don’t keep your edges, but it’s not the direct runs we saw in the past.”

McCoy has completed 77.8 percent of his passes, thrown for 833 yards and has 11 touchdowns compared to just 1 interception. It’s quite a difference from last year, when McCoy tossed 22 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

The junior also leads the Longhorns on the ground, averaging 64.7 yards rushing in the first three games. He also has a team-leading three rushing touchdowns.

“It’s not just mobility, it’s confidence,” Robinson said of McCoy. “Any type of blitz a year ago got him rattled. This year he just kind of laughs at the blitz. And he can move around in the pocket. He’s fearless with what he can do with the ball — run and pass.”

But back to the point — why is the Razorbacks’ defense better suited against the Longhorns?

“Speed,” Forte said. “We’re built for speed. Coming in we don’t have as big as size, so we have to use our speed to our advantage and I think that’s what we’re going to do.”

Photo by Harry Cabluck, Associated Press

– Brandon Marcello
Subscribe to RSS feed | Follow us on Twitter | Add us on Facebook

Filed under: Arkansas Football, SEC Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: September 24, 2008 at 6:51 pm