FAYETTEVILLE -- Opening against sixth-ranked Auburn's high-powered offense didn't help Arkansas' defense get off to a good start statistically.
The Razorbacks allowed 595 total yards in last Saturday's 45-21 loss, and have a lot of ground to make up if they hope to improve on last season's No. 76 national standing at 413.4 yards per game.
Arkansas is No. 114 in total defense among the 119 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
"There was a lot of yards after contact," first-year coordinator Robb Smith said. "We've got to wrap up and drive guys through the ground. We've got to continue to work on that on a daily basis."
The difficulty level drops considerably Saturday with FCS member Nicholls State coming to town for the Razorbacks' home opener at 3 p.m. at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Colonels gained 263 yards -- 200 passing yards and 63 rushing yards in a 44-16 loss at Air Force last week.
Arkansas coaches are approaching the game against a lower-division opponent as a chance to make strides in presnap alignments, eye discipline and fundamental tackling, all of which proved costly in the loss to Auburn.
Linebackers coach Randy Shannon said fewer missed tackles and fewer miscommunications have been stressed above all else this week.
The Razorbacks pried two balls away from the Tigers and recovered one of them, but on a few occasions the first defender on the scene tried unsuccessfully to wrest the football away, leading to longer gains for Auburn.
"We'll continue to get better in that area, and I think from week one to week two there is a big difference how you play and things you can point out once the bullets start flying," defensive line coach Rory Segrest said. "I expect our guys to be a lot better in the tackling area."
The secondary was a step slow on Auburn's over-the-middle passes and safety Rohan Gaines had a rough day that included a missed tackle that led to Melvin Ray's 49-yard touchdown catch and run on the Tigers' first possession.
"You know Rohan has very high self-esteem," defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said when asked about Gaines' confidence level. "The one thing about being a defensive back, you've got to have a short memory. I don't have to beat him up as a coach because, shoot, the game tape doesn't lie.
"One of the slogans we live by is that to be a defensive back at the University of Arkansas, my tape should be self-explanatory. That means I don't have to apologize or make an excuse for anything that happens on tape. So we're going to bounce back and he'll be OK. He's having a good week of practice."
The Razorbacks were carved up by 6-5 sophomore quarterback Jeremy Johnson's 243 passing yards in the first half before Nick Marshall triggered Auburn's 234 rushing yards in the second half.
"There were some balls that were thrown over the middle that we've just got to break a little quicker on," Smith said. "I think we realize that. We see it. We've just got to pull the trigger a little bit faster."
Nicholls State cannot match Auburn's blocking or its speed in the backfield and on the edges. The Colonels also don't possess tough over-the-middle receivers like Auburn's Duke Williams or CJ Uzomah.
But Colonels quarterback Kalen Henderson, a transfer from Tulsa, can be dangerous. Henderson completed 21 of 40 passes for 214 yards last year at Oregon and ran for 46 yards in the 66-3 loss to the No. 3 Ducks. Henderson's relief comes from Beaux Hebert, who was 6 of 6 for 64 yards and a touchdown in the closing minutes at Air Force.
The Colonels' top ball carriers are 6-2, 225-pound Michael Henry and 5-11, 185-pound Tobias Lofton, who combined for 43 yards and a touchdown at Air Force.
Sports on 09/05/2014