Razorbacks report

Bowl game is sold out, officials say

Arkansas guard Brey Cook (74), offensive lineman Denver Kirkland (55) and offensive tackle Frank Ragnow (72) prepare to drop into their stances against Mississippi State in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. No. 1 Mississippi State won 17-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

FAYETTEVILLE -- The first bowl game between Texas and Arkansas since 2000 is sold out, Texas Bowl officials announced Thursday.

The former Southwest Conference rivals will meet at 8 p.m. Central Dec. 29 at NRG Stadium in Houston.

"The excitement around our new relationship with the SEC and Big 12 conferences helped us secure well over 60,000 seats before our participating teams were even announced.

"Once we knew our matchup, the large and loyal fan bases of the Longhorns and Razorbacks quickly exhausted our ticket supply," Texas Bowl President Jamey Rootes said. "We are now fully focused on providing memorable experiences for the teams, schools, alumni and fans during bowl week and on game day."

Kevin Trainor, Arkansas' associate athletic director for public relations, said the Razorbacks were given an allotment of 10,500 tickets to the game.

Mix it up

Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman said he's done a little shuffling on his unit to take a look at things, like having starting guard Denver Kirkland work at tackle and freshman center Frank Ragnow take reps at guard.

"All of these moves are obviously to see what-ifs ... and see if that is the best five we can put out there and those things," Pittman said.

Pittman will lose senior tackle Brey Cook and senior reserve tackle Cameron Jefferson for 2015, but starting center Mitch Smothers, starting guards Sebastian Tretola and Kirkland and starting left tackle Dan Skipper are expected to return. Standout redshirt freshman Brian Wallace and Ragnow are among those expected to compete for a starting job.

Horns prep

Arkansas held its first Texas-slanted practice Wednesday evening in Walker Pavilion with a chilly rain cloaking Fayetteville.

"Coach put together our schedule, so we're getting ready to go and have a little fun with it and see what happens," offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said prior to the workout.

Derby status

Arkansas coaches were still unsure Wednesday if tight end AJ Derby would be available for the Texas Bowl.

Derby underwent an arthroscopic procedure to clean up his left knee shortly after missing the season finale at Missouri.

"I think as we get closer to the ball game we'll know a lot more," offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. "I really don't have an inclination one way or another. I do know AJ is working his hind end off to get back because that's who he is."

Flowers power

Texas Coach Charlie Strong was asked this week how he felt about his starting offensive tackles, particularly sophomore Camrhon Hughes, matching up against a defensive end like Trey Flowers.

"Flowers, I know this, is a really good defensive end and he's done well, played well," Strong said. "But you know what happens is one guy is not going to go dominate a game on defense.

"The thing about it, not only Hughes but everyone else up front, we've just got to go block him. So it's not just you place it on one guys' shoulders."

Jojo juice

Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith said freshman receiver Jojo Robinson has been an eye-opener in some of the work done by younger and redshirting players after recent practices.

"He's done some things to let us know why we recruited him," Smith said. "We believe he's going to have a bright future."

The show

Running backs coach Joel Thomas said the Hogs are motivated by being in the 8 p.m. time slot normally held for Monday Night Football for the Texas Bowl on Dec. 29.

"We are the show on Monday night, not just in Arkansas or the SEC, but in America," Thomas said. "Our guys have played in the spotlight and in big games, and I know they will embrace this opportunity."

People noticed

Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long, who served as chairman for the first College Football Playoff selection committee, said Thursday that the Razorbacks’ back-to-back shutouts against LSU and Ole Miss made their way into committee conversations as side notes as the group discussed college football.

“Everybody in that room was impressed by those back-to-back shutouts,” Long said.

Sports on 12/19/2014