FAYETTEVILLE -- On Monday, Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said his team would be undaunted by Saturday's assignment at No. 1 Mississippi State.
The Razorbacks will face their fifth consecutive SEC opponent ranked in the top 10, following games against No. 6 Auburn, No. 6 Texas A&M, No. 7 Alabama and No. 10 Georgia -- those being the rankings when they played the Hogs.
Bielema said Zack Higbee, the athletic department's communications director, told him the Razorbacks would be the first team to face a five-team run of top-10 conference opponents.
"In the history of college football, it's kind of a unique stat, and maybe to other people it might faze them," Bielema said. "But to us, it really doesn't.
"Mississippi State deserves to be ranked right where they're at."
Bielema said he'll be interested to see where the College Football Playoff selection committee, chaired by Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long, will slot Mississippi State in its first poll tonight.
Tretola tabbed
Offensive guard Sebastian Tretola was selected SEC offensive lineman of the week after throwing a touchdown pass on a fake field goal in Arkansas' 45-17 victory over Alabama-Birmingham. Tretola's 6-yard scoring pass to snapper Alan D'Appollonio came after Tretola pretended to be lined up incorrectly before shifting to take a direct snap.
Injury report
Coach Bret Bielema said middle linebacker Brooks Ellis would practice today and his knee bruise would be re-evaluated to see if he can play Saturday at Mississippi State.
Cornerback Henre Toliver, who has bruised muscles in his back after a second quarter pileup against Georgia on Oct. 18, is expected to return to practice by Wednesday and is probable for Saturday.
Bulldogs update
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (foot) and receiver Jameon Lewis (foot) are expected to be ready to face Arkansas on Saturday.
Tight end Brandon Hill (leg) is probable, but might be limited after injuring himself while scoring on an 8-yard touchdown pass last week at Kentucky.
Just treats
Bret Bielema said he doesn't use the term "trick plays" to describe sequences like Saturday's 6-yard touchdown pass from lineman Sebastian Tretola to Alan D'Appollonio on a fake field goal.
"I want our guys to understand I only call them if I expect them to have success," Bielema said. "I think that was the case on Saturday in particular."
Bielema said he typically has three or four plays like that "up our sleeve" for each game.
Arkansas also scored a touchdown on punter Sam Irwin-Hill's 51-yard run against Texas A&M this season.
Bielema said last week's special play, called Tretola Left, had been run just four times in practice, and had been filmed only once.
"We spent a total of probably five minutes on that play over a three-week window to get it done," he said.
Skill shown
Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers said Sebastian Tretola's touchdown pass was a good way for football fans to take note of Tretola's athleticism.
"It was very uplifting to see him show his skills," Flowers said. "Down there in the trenches, people don't really know all the skills a guy like Sebastian's got. But to see him make a pass like that was very uplifting. He was under pressure, but he made a good throw."
Leading the way
Mississippi State has played 420 minutes of football in seven games this season and has led for more than 412 of those minutes.
The Bulldogs trailed for a span of 2:49 against Texas A&M and for 4:30 against Alabama-Birmingham, a total of 7:19.
Players of the week
The Arkansas coaching staff's selections for players of the week were tailback Jonathan Williams, cornerback Jared Collins and the duo of Sebastian Tretola and Alan D'Appollonio for their fake field goal touchdown.
Williams rushed for a career-high 153 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Razorbacks' 45-17 victory over Alabama-Birmingham. Collins notched 4 tackles, including an 18-yard sack, and had 3 tackles for 20 yards in losses.
Their honorable-mention picks were linebacker Martrell Spaight and kicker Adam McFain.
Return opening
Bret Bielema said the job as the top punt returner would be reopened this week after starter D.J. Dean and Demetrius Wilson made errors on returns last week.
"Called all cars yesterday [Sunday]," Bielema said. "I said in a team meeting, anybody that would like to have an opportunity to be a punt returner [step up]."
Dean is tied for 19th nationally with 11 yards per punt return.
Butkus guy
Mississippi State middle linebacker Bernardrick McKinney, a 6-5, 249-pound junior, has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker.
McKinney has a team-high 45 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
Worth noting
• Arkansas improved to 56-33-4 in homecoming games with its 45-17 victory over Alabama-Birmingham. The Hogs have won eight of its past nine homecoming games.
• Arkansas scored a touchdown on its opening possession for the fifth time this season.
Sports on 10/28/2014