UA FOOTBALL PRACTICE Hog defense prepping for physical battle with Auburn
Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008
Put a historically runoriented offense struggling to pass out of a new Spread formation against a defense that has struggled against the run, and it adds up to what Arkansas' defense anticipates from Auburn's offense Saturday in Auburn, Ala.
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville apparently is scrapping the Spread since he scrapped Tony Franklin, the offensive coordinator he brought in to operate it.
Franklin was fired last Wednesday.
Arkansas coach Bobby Petr ino and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson anticipate Auburn's 20 th-ranked Tigers to come out running in Saturday's SEC West game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, quite possibly with a running quarterback, sophomore Kodi Burns of Fort Smith Northside, replacing junior college transfer Chris Todd as the starter.
Todd originally committed to Troy University, where Franklin was the offensive coordinator, then signed with Auburn after Franklin joined Tuberville's staff.
"You have to look at your weaknesses first," Robinson said of Arkansas' defense. "And our weakness is not being able to stop the run. So you would have to figure if Coach Franklin was there or not, their game plan would come into running the football. It's unfortunate [Franklin's firing ] happened, and even more so now we are probably going to get the run."
Other than when Florida broke two long touchdown runs and also threw a touchdown pass for 21 fourth-quarter points, the Razorbacks defended the run more competitively in last Saturday's 38-7 loss than on Sept. 20 when Alabama Crimson Tide running back Glen Coffee ran over them in a 49-14 triumph.
Robinson said the Hogs' rushing defense seemed to build on that during practice this week but only Saturday can determine if they are up to stopping Burns and Auburn tailbacks Brad Lester and Ben Tate.
"We had a good week of practice," Robinson said. "Each day we got better with it. But [Arkansas'scout team offense ] is not Auburn's offensive line and it's not Auburn's quarterback, which if they change the starter adds another dimension."
Arkansas has become familiar trying to defend mobile run-pass quarterbacks versus Texas Heisman Trophy candidate Colt McCoy and 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow of Florida.
"Kind of like what we've faced the last two weeks with the Texas kid and the Florida kid, " Robinson said. "This guy is a really good athlete back there. We may see a lot more play action than we would have anticipated besides the running game and the boot. So they will move him out on the pocket and let him have that option of throw it or run with it."
Against Auburn's expected smash-mouth offense, Robinson has Wendel Davis, a middle linebacker until blowing out a knee during offseason drills last winter and then moving to outside linebacker, back in the middle.
Redshirt freshman Jerry Franklin of Marion who "played his best game," against Florida, Petrino said, has moved from the middle to weakside linebacker while sophomore Freddy Burton of Morrilton starts on the strong side.
Those are Arkansas'three most physical linebackers for what should be an intensely physical game.
Robinson was asked about third-year sophomore Ramon Broadway, starting in place of injured boundary cornerback Jamar Love, and true freshman defensive tackle Zach Stadther of North Little Rock, making his second straight start replacing injured senior Ernest Mitchell.
"He's stepped it up," Robinson said of Broadway. "It's a matter of being able to do it under fire now. He's had some opportunities during the game that he's been a little inconsistent, and now he'll start."
Stadther has been amazingly precocious for a late signee originally expected to redshirt.
"He played very well," Robinson said. "He really did. He's active as heck. His pad level is getting a little bit better. He plays hard all the time."
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