Razorbacks Report

Defense disrupts receivers

Arkansas cornerback D.J. Dean, left, and middle linebacker Brooks Ellis tackle Texas Tech wide receiver Reginald Davis in the first quarter of a game at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas coaching staff wasn't surprised to see their defense break up 11 passes and intercept two in last week's 49-28 victory at Texas Tech.

"Last week during practice, I think those guys saw what they could do," defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said. "One day last week we had about 23 breakups and we had about 15 picks.

"That's the one thing we're trying to pride ourselves on is contesting throws."

Coach Bret Bielema said he was most impressed by the several times Arkansas defenders reached around a receiver to poke away a pass.

"A lot of times there's a grab on the back or a pull that gets called, and they weren't there," Bielema said. "When I popped it on film I expected to see maybe three or four times that we didn't get called, and they weren't there."

The Red Raiders completed 27 of 45 passes for 252 yards with 3 touchdowns.

Huskie heart

Northern Illinois has played in a Mid-American Conference record six consecutive bowl games, has won four consecutive MAC West titles and is the winningest program in the MAC over the past decade.

The Huskies also have a roster loaded with redshirt seniors and juniors on both sides of the ball.

"They've been entrenched in a culture of winning," Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. said. "There's a lot to be said for that. It doesn't matter what league you play in, you win 17 games on the road in a row, that's a big accomplishment."

Status report

It appears freshman receiver Jojo Robinson is on the brink of a redshirt after injuries have kept him out of the first three games.

"It's probably in his best interest to have a redshirt year," Bret Bielema said Wednesday on the SEC coaches call, adding that coaches would rather have a full year down the road with Robinson rather than minimal snaps this season.

Linebacker Randy Ramsey didn't travel last week because of an ankle injury and because the Razorbacks played with five defensive backs all game, Bielema said. Ramsey is back at practice, as is safety Davyon McKinney, whose foot injury is still healing.

Northern Illinois linebacker Jamaal Bass is close to returning from injury. Bass, a 5-10, 214-pound senior, was a first-team All-MAC pick last year after posting 87 tackles, 6 for losses.

55-5

Northern Illinois has outscored teams 55-5 in the first half of its three games, including 24-5 in the first period and 31-0 in the second. The Huskies are outscoring opponents 71-47 after halftime.

Arkansas is outscoring opponents 105-42 in the first half and is tied 38-38 in the second half. The Razorbacks have been outscored 28-14 in the third quarter and have outscored opponents in the other three quarters.

Signature please

Bret Bielema's formula for guiding Arkansas back among the SEC leaders involves being dominant in the run game and limiting the run on defense.

"It's been my experience in coaching that if you have a team that runs the ball effectively, they usually can defend it effectively," Bielema said. "That's what I would like our team to be signatured as."

Takeaway plus

Arkansas won the turnover battle 3-2 against Texas Tech to improve to plus 1 in turnover margin on the season.

Interceptions by Martrell Spaight and Henre' Toliver, each player's first at Arkansas, and Taiwan Johnson's fumble recovery on a ball stripped from receiver Jakeem Grant by linebacker Brooks Ellis gave the Razorbacks their three takeaways, which led to 14 points.

The Razorbacks are on the plus side of the turnover ledger for the first time since opening 2013 with a 3-2 edge over Louisiana-Lafayette.

Tretola starts

Sebastian Tretola made his first start against Texas Tech at left guard for Luke Charpentier, who played off the bench.

"I came in ready to work and looking for that spot, and that's what you want on your team," Tretola said. "You want the guy behind your starter to try to go and get that spot."

Offensive line coach Sam Pittman said Tretola earned the start. Tretola weighed 370 pounds to start camp and is now down to 345.

"I thought Sebastian Tretola was our best inside guy on Saturday," Pittman said. "He can move you from point A to point B fairly successfully, and it doesn't really matter how much you weigh. He's a special athlete, and we needed to put him on the field more."

Sports on 09/18/2014