FAYETTEVILLE — Things are looking better for Arkansas ’ defense forcing turnovers after a bleak start.

The Razorbacks are still near the bottom in the nation in turnover margin and last in the SEC in per-game turnover margin. Arkansas has forced seven turnovers in the past two games to move to 10 th in the conference in takeaways with 10 in seven games.

After forcing three turnovers that resulted in seven points in the first five games, the Razorbacks turned seven turnovers into 20 points against Auburn and Kentucky.

“When you play fast and you play physical, you get more turnovers, and I think that’s something I’m happy about because our defense is playing faster and more physical,” Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said.

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Petrino said the defense has developed its personality in recent weeks and the turnovers have helped that. The Razorbacks defenders agreed their familiarity with defensive coordinator Willy Robinson’s scheme has a great deal to do with the improved performance in forcing turnovers.

Cornerback Ramon Broadway, whose late interception against Kentucky put Arkansas in position to win, said the Razorbacks are doing less thinking and more reacting.

“Coach Robinson wants us to play fast,” Broadway said. “He doesn’t want us to think about anything. He wants us to read our keys and go. That is what has helped us create turnovers because we’re not hesitating, and we’re not lost out there.”

Broadway said after a turnover, his teammates start trying to be responsible for the next one.

“It’s contagious,” Broadway said. “We try to do a little mini-compete with each other to see who gets the most. It makes everyone play better.”

Middle linebacker Wendel Davis agreed. Davis had an interception against Auburn, one of three the Razorbacks had against the Tigers, and he forced a fumble just before halftime at Kentucky that resulted in Casey Dick’s touchdown pass to Michael Smith.

“The difference is we fly around to the ball more,” Davis said. “We’re playing with more passion, having more fun, and that’s creating turnovers. We’re all playing off each other. One guy will make a play, and somebody else wants to make the [next ] play. We’re all out there trying to make plays.”

Razorbacks cornerbacks coach Lorenzo Ward said the defense is taking advantage of its opportunities better. Ward said no one panicked when the Razorbacks had no takeaways in the first two games because everyone knew learning the defense would be a process.

“We do a lot of turnover drills in practice, and we knew eventually it would pay off,” Ward said. “The bottom line is, if you know what you’re doing, you can play fast. We’re trying to get the gameplans as simple as possible so they can play fast.”

The past two games have been a dramatic turnaround from earlier in the season, when the Razorbacks had no takeaways in narrow victories against Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe. The Razorbacks got their first turnover against Alabama when Broadway made a diving interception.

It didn’t result in any points for the Razorbacks. Late in the game against Texas, Antwain Robinson returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown, but all that did was make the final 52-10.

The Razorbacks began to turn their turnovers into meaningful points against Auburn. Adrian Davis’ third-quarter interception led to a field goal in Arkansas’ 25-22 victory.

The victory was sealed when Matt Harris intercepted Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns with 29 seconds left.

Against Kentucky, Elton Ford’s interception led to a first-half touchdown, as did Jerry Franklin’s fumble recovery.

“It was just a matter of time,” Wendel Davis said. “We’re out there having fun, and it’s all leading to good things. We’re just doing what we can do to win.”