Ball security key for UA, Missouri

Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis returns an interception during a game against Ole Miss on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Arkansas' three fumble recoveries in its 30-0 victory over Ole Miss last week were three times more than Missouri's opponents have all season.

The Tigers, who play the Razorbacks today at Faurot Field, lead the nation with one lost fumble in 750 offensive plays spanning 11 games. Georgia recovered a fumble by Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk as he was being sacked.

Today’s game

North Texas at No. 25 Arkansas men

WHEN 8 p.m.

WHERE Walton Arena, Fayetteville

RECORDS Arkansas 4-0; North Texas 4-1

RADIO Razorback Sports Network

TELEVISION SEC Network

TICKETS $30. Loft (sections 207-2011) $25.

Boston College and UNLV are tied for second nationally with two lost fumbles each.

"I just think we're lucky," said Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel, sounding like a man who doesn't want to jinx his team.

"It's very impressive in the league that we play in and the way that they've been able to have accountability to the football," Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said of the Tigers' ball security. "Obviously, it's very much emphasized, very much coached, but it's one thing to say it and it's another thing for the kids to live it. So, yeah, we realize they've been able to do that very well.

"On the flip side of it, if there is an opportunity, we've got to take full advantage of it."

The Razorbacks have taken advantage of turnovers the previous two games to beat LSU 17-0 and Ole Miss 30-0.

Arkansas had only one takeaway in the LSU game -- when linebacker Martrell Saight forced a fumble by quarterback Anthony Jennings and defensive tackle Darius Philon recover -- but the Razorbacks didn't turn over the ball.

The Razorbacks then had six takeaways against Ole Miss on a rainy day while losing the ball once on a fumbled snap by backup quarterback Austin Allen.

"I think it's everything," Razorbacks offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said of winning the turnover margin. "If you can secure the ball and get the ball, you're going to win a lot more games."

Chaney talks to the Razorbacks each week about the importance of turnover margin and said he believes SEC teams have won 86 percent of the time if they don't have a turnover.

"We talk about it a lot," Chaney said. "That's why I'm kind of familiar with the statistic. If you go into a game and have no turnovers, you're giving yourself a heck of a shot at being successful."

After finishing 4-8 in 2012 and ranking 122nd nationally in turnover margin at minus-1.58 and finishing 3-9 last season and ranking 113th at minus-0.75, the Razorbacks are 6-5 and rank 34th at plus-0.45.

Arkansas' offense has lost the ball 15 times -- with 9 fumbles and 6 interceptions -- after losing it 24 times last year.

Chaney attributed the improvement to players being more mature and understanding the schemes better with having the entire offensive staff from last season return.

"Our kids understand what we're trying to get done, and they're trying to go out and do it a lot better than we did a year ago," Chaney said. "That's not unique to Arkansas. Your second time doing something, you should be a little bit better at it."

Junior quarterback Brandon Allen, who has started 19 consecutive games but is questionable today because of a hip injury, has 5 interceptions after throwing 10 last year.

"He knows where he's going with the ball, and he's securing it very well," Chaney said. "He's not tossing it up to them, which is a good thing."

While Arkansas' offense has benefited from coaching stability, the defense has improved with three new coaches -- Robb Smith (coordinator), Clay Jennings (secondary) and Rory Segrest (line) -- joining returning linebackers coach Randy Shannon.

The Razorbacks have 20 takeaways -- 10 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries -- compared to 14 last season.

Bielema, a former defensive coordinator at Kansas State and Wisconsin, said Smith has implemented turnover circuits and theories in practice he'd never seen previously, such as defenders trying to tip passes by always using the same arm and a second tackler going for the ball.

"I think you just stress it on a daily basis," Smith said.

Missouri is ranked 16th nationally in turnover margin at plus-0.82. Mauk, a redshirt sophomore who had four starts coming into this season, has 10 interceptions.

The Tigers (9-2) are plus-15 in turnover margin in their victories and minus-6 in their losses to Indiana and Georgia.

"I think every football coach in the world wants that stat on his side," Pinkel said. "Everybody works on it their own way."

Pinkel praised Arkansas' coaches for the Razorbacks' improvement in turnover margin.

"That's typical of a team that's well-coached and developing great discipline," Pinkel said. "Obviously, they have a belief in what they're doing."

Sports on 11/28/2014