Razorbacks report

Arkansas puts plan into place

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema speaks to members of the media Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, during a press conference ahead of the Razorbacks' Dec. 29 bowl game with Texas in Houston.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas is in game-week mode for its Texas Bowl matchup against Texas next Monday night in Houston.

It has been a gradual build-up for the Razorbacks, who last played Nov. 28 when they lost at Missouri 21-14.

"I've been very excited about our kids and the approach that they've had," Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said Monday. "Because of the length of the preparation here, it's kind of been nice to install bits and pieces."

Bielema said he likes how the coaches have handled their time in December, mixing in recruiting with studying the Longhorns, preparing a game plan and now working on it in practice. He said the entire game plan for offense, defense and special teams has been installed.

The game is being played at NGR Stadium, formerly known as Reliant Stadium -- home of the NFL's Houston Texans with a capacity of 71,054 -- and is an announced sellout.

"Obviously, there's a certain buzz," Bielema said. "I was in the Houston area recruiting and a lot of (high school) coaches talked about how they were going to come by.

"There's a high school social that I think last year they had five or six coaches. I think 50 coaches have responded and are going to be there this year."

High school players can attend Arkansas' practices, but the coaches are not allowed to talk to them because this is a dead period for recruiting.

Derby update

Senior tight end AJ Derby hasn't taken part in the Razorbacks' bowl practices after undergoing knee surgery, but he has been attending meetings and practices so he can learn the game plan and be ready to play.

Coach Bret Bielema said he believes there's a good chance Derby may be ready to practice later this week.

Derby, who moved from quarterback to tight end midway through last spring, has 22 catches for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Bielema said he would talk to Derby this week about how he's feeling and whether he'll be able to play against Texas.

"If there's a role he can fill, then we'll do it," Bielema said. "If not, he's going a very, very bright future ahead of him.

"I don't want to push it in anyway to set back anything he's got going in the future."

Derby's future plans include a wedding. He got engaged to Calli Berna, a starting point guard for Arkansas, last weekend.

Just Ty for now

Quarterback Ty Storey is the only early enrollee practicing with the Razorbacks.

Tight end Will Gragg is awaiting clearance from the NCAA and offensive lineman Zach Rogers (broken ankle) and defensive lineman Daytrieon Dean (torn labrum in shoulder area) are recovering from injuries.

Coach Bret Bielema said that the NCAA is reviewing Gragg's paperwork as part of the standard process for clearing him.

"Not anything that's his fault or our fault," Bielema said. "It's a slow process to get those final transcripts done in time and turned around.

"Hopefully, he'll join us some time shortly."

Tackling no-no for Jojo

Bret Bielema said freshman wide receiver Jojo Robinson, who is redshirting this season, has been tough to defend as a member of the scout-team offense.

Robinson doesn't like to be tackled, Bielema said, even when it's part of a circuit of drills designed by defensive coordinator Robb Smith.

Bielema said Robinson wouldn't be tackled even after the coach sent All-SEC linebacker Martrell Spaight -- who leads the conference with 123 tackles -- after him.

"Jojo won't get tackled,"Bielema said. "He refuses, and I kind of got (upset).

"He said, 'Coach, I'm nobody's tackling dummy.' I have to take a step back and control myself, but I also appreciate what he's saying. He just doesn't want to be tackled."

Liddell calm

Freshman Josh Liddell will start at free safety in place of Rohan Gaines, who has been suspended for the Texas Bowl for a violation of team policy, said bowl practices have gone well.

Liddell has been through this drill before, filling in for the second half of Arkansas' 17-0 victory over LSU and the first half of the 30-0 victory over Ole Miss as Gaines sat out a suspension for a targeting penalty.

"It's been good for me," Liddell said, adding that defensive backs coach Clay Jennings and senior safety Alan Turner have prepped him for practices and film study.

"I'm excited. Not nervous at all. I've been preparing like I've been starting. I can't wait to get out there and play."

Liddell, junior Davyon McKinney and redshirt freshman De'Andre Coley are in the rotation beside Turner.

Wallace shining

Freshman offensive tackle Brian Wallace is redshirting, but he's spent the entire season working with the second team, rather than the scout team, in practice.

"Brian Wallace is going to be a really good player," offensive line coach Sam Pittman said. "Obviously, we wouldn't take his redshirt off for now, but he's really gotten a lot of reps in practice.

"It's been a great thing for us."

Wallace described his redshirt year by saying, "To be honest with you, it's been a struggle and it's also been a success. It's a whole new thing for me. The transition from high school to college, it's like one minute people are helping me out and the next minute, you're on your own."

Wallace said his Christian Brothers College High School teammate Armon Watts, a Razorback defensive lineman, has been helpful as a fellow redshirt.

Focus for J-Will

Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, asked whether it might be difficult for tailback Jonathan Williams to stay focused on bowl preparations while his status for the NFL Draft is being evaluated by an advisory board, said he's sure it can be tough at times.

"But if you're going to be a professional at whatever job you choose to do, be it a football player or a coach, not everything is going to go your way, so sometimes you get a little distracted," Chaney said. "It forces you to be focused on the task at hand. I'm sure he's learning how to do that right now."

Hogs vs. Big 12

Arkansas has won its past five games against Big 12 competition, including a 49-28 victory at Texas Tech this season.

The Razorbacks' winning streak against the Big 12 also includes their 29-16 victory over Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl and three regular season victories over Texas A&M (2009-11) before the Aggies joined the SEC.

Sports on 12/23/2014