Razorbacks Report

Williams settles in in middle

Arkansas linebacker Josh Williams prepares for a play during a game against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Junior Josh Williams' move back to middle linebacker came in a brief exchange with position coach Vernon Hargreaves last week.

"I was actually in class and I got a text from coach that said 'Come to my office,' " Williams said. "He said, 'You're at Mike.' "

Williams, a junior who had moved to the strong side linebacker spot midway through spring drills, re-exchanged places with sophomore Khalia Hackett, a high school safety who prefers being on the edge.

"Most definitely," Hackett said when asked if he was back in his comfort zone. "I love playing in space. Love being able to see things.

"When I was at Mike, I was trying to figure out where I fit. Instead of worrying about the ball, I was worried about my assignment instead of tracking the ball."

Williams said he felt great about moving back to the middle.

"I didn't come here to play middle linebacker or outside linebacker, I came here to play linebacker," he said. "Wherever they put me, I'm going to make it happen."

Best Alex

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said during the SEC teleconference Wednesday that fans should expect plenty from tailback Alex Collins.

"He's undoubtedly had his best fall camp since I've been around," Bielema said. "He's trimmed his body down in all the right places. He has a better understanding of our offense as he's ever had.

"He's been very explosive. I think he's following his tracks better than he's ever done in his time here. I think we're going to get the best Alex Collins you've ever seen, and that's exciting."

Eye on Miner

The Arkansas defense has practiced to prepare for a new set in UTEP's arsenal, a wildcat package they call the "Wild Miner" with freshman quarterback Kavika Johnson as the trigger man in for quarterback Mack Leftwich.

"They bring in a few extra linemen," Hogs defensive line coach Rory Segrest said. "It's not anything we don't see from our offense.

"We've got adjustments, both in personnel and alignment. It's something we see every day in practice. We've got to be locked in. We've got to see it come on the field and be pretty good being matched up to it."

It's the SEC

Middle linebacker Josh Williams was asked how UTEP's running game compares to Arkansas' running game.

"It's the SEC," Williams said. "That's all I have to say."

UTEP plays in Conference USA.

Bowl business

UTEP will represent the first of 10 Arkansas opponents who played in a bowl game last season.

The only teams on Arkansas' schedule that did not play in a bowl are Texas Tech (4-8 in 2014) and FCS level Tennessee-Martin (6-6).

Arkansas, Alabama, Vanderbilt and Virginia are the only schools who face 10 teams who played in bowls last year.

Williams' role

Coach Bret Bielema said he planned to have injured tailback Jonathan Williams come to midfield with fellow team captains Brandon Allen, Brooks Ellis and JaMichael Winston in Saturday's season opener.

"Without a doubt for this first game I'd love to have J-Will come out with the team," Bielema said. "It's something that his teammates voted him into that spot."

Bielema also said Williams would come out for the the Razorbacks final regular-season game against Missouri.

"It'll be senior day," Bielema said. "I'd love for J-Will to be a part of that one as well."

Williams, who suffered a torn ligament in his left foot during a scrimmage Aug. 15, has been getting around on a self-propelled scooter since his surgery Aug. 17.

Up and down

Among Arkansas' nine assistant coaches, only defensive backs coach Clay Jennings and tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. will work in the press box on Saturdays.

First-year offensive coordinator Dan Enos and second-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith prefer to work on the sideline on game day unlike their predecessors Jim Chaney and Chris Ash.

O-line award

Arkansas' starting offensive line figures to be among the leading candidates for a new award named in honor of the late Joe Moore, who, as an offensive line coach at Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Temple, coached 52 players who went to the NFL.

CBS analyst Aaron Taylor, who played for Moore at Notre Dame, came up with the idea for the Joe Moore Award to honor the nation's top offensive line. Taylor said the idea was born from a conversation he had with Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, an Iowa assistant under Ferentz, said he couldn't be more excited about the award. Bielema met Moore, who died in 2003 at age 71, during his days at Iowa.

"I quickly became very aware of who he was and what he stood for and built up a great respect for him," Bielema said.

Those voting for the award will include the 128 Football Bowl Subdivision offensive line coaches, Moore's former colleagues and friends of Moore and select media members who have played on the offensive line.

Arkansas senior guard Sebastian Tretola smiled when told about the award.

"In the bag," he said, laughing. "Quote that. We've got that locked up."

Sports on 09/03/2015