COLUMBIA, S. C. — Considering that Arkansas ’ starting quarterback and tailback weren’t able to finish Saturday’s 34-21 loss to South Carolina because of injuries, this week’s open date comes at an opportune time.

Casey Dick, a senior who has started 28 consecutive games at quarterback for the Razorbacks, was sidelined with a possible concussion in the fourth quarter after absorbing his sixth sack.

Arkansas junior tailback Michael Smith, the ninth player in school history to rush for more than 1, 000 yards in a season, didn’t play in the second half after sustaining a shoulder injury.

After games in eight consecutive weeks, all of the Razorbacks are beat up, and some, including defensive ends Adrian Davis and Damario Ambrose and guard Grant Cook, missed the South Carolina game with injuries.

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“It’s a good time for us to have a bye,” Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said. “We’re pretty banged up.

“ We have to make sure we get healthy and make sure we do a great job in our preparation for Mississippi State.”

Arkansas (4-6, 1-5 SEC ) resumes play at Mississippi State (3-6, 1-4 ) on Nov. 22, then plays its regular-season finale against LSU (6-3, 3-3 ) at Little Rock on Nov. 28.

The Razorbacks need to win both games to be bowl-eligible.

“I really don’t like bye weeks personally,” said Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, who had two sacks against the Gamecocks. “I like to play the whole season week after week.

“ But considering the fact we have to win these next two games, it’s right on time.”

The Razorbacks were off Sunday and will be off again today before returning to practice Tuesday.

Getting a mental break from football, Petrino said, is as important as recuperating physically.

“It’s a good time to get refreshed, and get away from the coaches for a while,” Petrino said. “The coaches get away from the players for a while.

“ Come back and get ready to go win a game.”

Arkansas senior safety Dallas Washington said it will be “a nice relief” from the season’s grind to have an open date.

“It gives your body a chance to rest and it takes a little bit of the mental stress off of you, at least for a week,” Washington said. “Everyone is kind of beat up, because we’ve had some tough, physical games. We need this break.”

Sophomore tight end D. J. Williams, who leads the Razorbacks with 44 catches for 613 yards, said it will be tough to enjoy an open date after losing to South Carolina.

“It’s hard to sit back and say we need a break after a game like this,” he said. “Maybe if we’d won it would be a different story.

“ But we need to get back in and start preparing ourselves better for the Mississippi State game.”