FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas wrapped up practice about 30 minutes earlier than usual Tuesday.
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said it’s the time of the season to do some scaling back with the Razorbacks midway through the schedule.
“It’s the way we’ve always done it since we’ve been here,” McGee said. “There are some periods that we’ve cut back on, not doing as much banging as we do early in the season.
“At this point, we’ve played a lot of games.
Everybody’s shoulders are kind of beat up.”
McGee said Tuesday and Wednesday are still heavy work days for the Razorbacks, who play at Ole Miss on Saturday to start the season’s second half.
“We still get our work in,” McGee said. “We believe in grinding on Tuesday and Wednesday so the game is easy for us.” No relaxing
Arkansas players in the interview room Tuesday said the Razorbacks will not look past Ole Miss, which has lost its past nine SEC games.
“They’re going to come out ready to play,” receiver Greg Childs said. “They’re hungry for a win, so we can’t just go out there like, ‘Aw, we’re fixing to beat them,’ because they’re going to come out and giveback practice time.
it everything they’ve got because they’ve lost a couple of games in a row.”
Fellow receiver Jarius Wright said it’s imperative for players to bring their best game every week in the SEC.
“We approach it as getting better each and every week,” Wright said,“and as long as we continue to do our plan, everything else will work out.”
Ex-Hog a starter
Former Razorback Matt Hall, a junior from Russellville who was on the Arkansas roster in 2008-2009, will start at right guard against his former teammates Saturday.
“That’s not going to affect me,” Hall said. “After the game, we’ll still be the friends we are. But when we get in our equipment and get out there, that’s when we’re trying to play each other as hard as we can.”
Hall roomed with Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson and said he isn’t surprised by the junior’s success this season.
“He’s put a lot of time and effort into it, and he’s worked really hard for that,” Hall said.
The 6-9, 335-pounder said he respects the Arkansas defense, especially fifth-year seniors Jake Bequette and Jerry Franklin.
“They’ve been there forever,” he said. “They’ve worked in the system. They were leading it when I was there. Those are two great leaders you could have on any defense.” Little break
Tuesday marked Arkansas’ first practice since last Thursday.
Receiver Jarius Wright said it was a nice break during an open date.
“I think it was well needed for the team to get away from football just a little bit,” he said.
“Some guys got to be around their friends and family that they haven’t seen in a long time.” Joe’s touches
Receiver Joe Adams has gained 136 yards on his seven rushing attempts this season, including a 92-yard touchdown against Auburn.
It makes one wonder if he’s asking to get more touches at tailback.
“Joe always wants the ball,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “That’s why we put him back there at punt return.
“We say we’ve got a really good defense. They’re going to have to punt at some time. You’re going to get the ball, we guarantee you, on punt return.
“But he doesn’t really have it in him to come into Coach [Bobby] Petrino’s office and ask for the ball more.”
Sports, Pages 24 on 10/19/2011