Razorbacks Report

UA backs eager for Missouri

Arkansas running back Kody Walker carries the ball during a game against UAB on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas running backs Jonathan Williams and Kody Walker have connections to Missouri.

Williams was originally committed to the Tigers before switching to Arkansas, and Walker is from Jefferson City, Mo., 30 miles away from the Missouri campus.

The Razorbacks take on the No. 17 Tigers at Columbia, Mo., on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

"I'm a Texas guy, so I wanted to play in the Big 12 at the time," Williams said. "They were in the Big 12, and they were a good team. ... I liked the coaching staff as well."

Williams also had a high school teammate from Allen, Texas, offensive lineman Brad McNulty, sign with the Tigers.

"It's going to be awesome, man," Walker said "Nothing else like it, going home and playing in front of friends and family. I never thought I'd get that chance because when I came out they were still in the Big 12 and whatnot."

Walker's final choice of schools came down to Arkansas and Missouri.

"I just came down here and felt at the time it was the right place for me," Walker said. "It felt like home coming down here, and my mom loved it. That's what kind of made it."

Night moves

A shorter week during Thanksgiving set up a rare late-night practice for the Razorbacks, who were leaving the Fred Smith Center around midnight Monday.

"Everybody was energetic," receiver Keon Hatcher said. "We had a great practice, probably one of the best we've had all year."

Linebacker Martrell Spaight described the late practice in the chill air as tough.

"A lot of people went to sleep before we had practice and were waking up a little sluggish," Spaight said. "Actually, it was a pretty good practice. It was high intensity and people were flying around."

Eat up

Arkansas' and Missouri's players will hold their big Thanksgiving meals tonight before returning to a typical day-before-the-game diet Thursday.

"I might put on a few pounds," linebacker Martrell Spaight said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Tailback Jonathan Williams said he wasn't a fan of turkey, but he might hit the pumpkin pie.

"The kids are really looking forward to that," Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. "I think we're having a little movie voucher for them, so they can go and catch a movie on Wednesday night. Then Thursday let them sleep in a little bit.

"They'll get their tryptophan fix on Wednesday. We'll keep that out of their diet on Thursday."

Tryptophan, found in turkey and other poultry, can essentially help the body have a sense of well-being and relaxation, according to WebMD.com.

Austin works

Redshirt freshman Austin Allen has taken his largest number of first-team reps at quarterback in practices the past couple of days as junior Brandon Allen recovers from his hip injury he suffered in last Saturday's 30-0 victory over Ole Miss.

"I like that he goes out there with that swagger knowing you can do it and you make it happen," junior receiver Keon Hatcher said.

WildHog miss

Running back Jonathan Williams took his first direct snaps Saturday in Arkansas' WildHog formation, a position previously manned by Kiero Small, Damon Mitchell and Alex Collins the past two years.

Williams had a couple of gains on the ground, then he checked up on a first-down play from the Ole Miss 11 and aimed a pass toward Hunter Henry, who was running solo across the back of the end zone. The pass was just behind Henry, who tipped it and nearly brought it in before the ball fell incomplete.

"I thought I had it," Williams said. "I didn't really get to see the end of it. I had a lot of people in my face."

Williams and Henry had hooked up on a 21-yard halfback pass for a touchdown last season at Rutgers.

Take your time

Arkansas is up to third in the nation in time of possession with an average of 34:01 per game. That is more than eight minutes better than its opponents.

Arkansas beat Ole Miss in time of possession by its exact season average -- 34:01 to 25:59 -- last Saturday.

The forecast

Arkansas should be playing in its finest weather conditions in a month for the 1:30 p.m. kickoff Friday at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The forecast is calling for a sunny day with a high of 56 degrees and virtually no chance for rain.

Cooler heads

As the players were separating from a pile with Arkansas on offense in the second half of Saturday's game against Ole Miss, Arkansas guard Denver Kirkland was nudging linebacker Serderius Bryant away from the action when Bryant backed off and took a swing at Kirkland.

Ole Miss cornerback Mike Hilton immediately stepped in Bryant's face and began pushing him away, while Arkansas freshman Jared Cornelius tried to wrap his arms around Kirkland and restrain him. Officials moved in quickly but threw no flags.

Good Josh

The best part of freshman safety Josh Liddell's start on Saturday?

He didn't make the headlines or highlight reels by giving up a huge play, Arkansas coaches said.

"I don't think anybody said his name with being burned or getting beat, which is a good thing for a freshman free safety," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "Alan Turner really helped him direct traffic back there.

"We kept the ball in front of us. He came down a couple of times and made some nice tackles in the run game, so very pleased with what Josh was able to do. I think he's got a very bright future in our system."

Sports on 11/26/2014