FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith called last Saturday's scrimmage, the Razorbacks' first of the spring, a good start for his side of the ball.
"We've got some things to clean up from that standpoint, but I thought as the day went on, we did some things better and better," Smith said. "I was pleased with the way things started."
Smith said that aside from a couple of cutback runs, the defenders did a good job of keeping the ball carrier in front of them.
"I think we were able to generate some pass rush with some one-on-ones," he said. "That was a positive. Just really pleased with our effort. We had the cutbacks, but I thought our guys were running hard to the football."
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos said his group has a tough task catching up with a veteran defense.
"Every day there's a little more install and defensively, it's very challenging for our guys because they have a lot of guys back," Enos said. "They are far ahead, and it's a good defense. They're fast and physical, which puts those guys in a tough situation, which will help them in the long run."
Dang, Duwop
Converted receiver Damon "Duwop" Mitchell had last Saturday's longest run, a 32-yard burst around left end on an outside zone play. Despite having three carries that went for no gain and one for a 2-yard loss, Mitchell finished with 51 yards on nine carries.
"He made some really good plays, and then there were some things that once he gets more experienced, he's going to be get better at," running backs coach Reggie Mitchell said.
"He's explosive," offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. "It's been awesome. He ran his fanny off Saturday and showed toughness, showed a burst. It's been exciting to watch."
Pick play
Linebacker Brooks Ellis had the day's top takeaway Monday, an interception against Austin Allen, his former teammate at Fayetteville High School.
"Brooks had a big one on third down," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said.
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos said Austin Allen had gone three practices without a ball security mistake until Monday's interception.
"He forced a ball today," Enos said. "He's got to learn from that and move forward. He has really high expectations for himself. That's the great thing about Austin and being around him and coaching him. ... That one will bother him and he probably can't wait to get back on the practice field again tomorrow so he can get it erased."
Kody cut
Sixth-year running back Kody Walker evaded a defender at the line of scrimmage and raced 18 yards with the first play of live tackling of the spring Saturday before being hauled down by safety Santos Ramirez.
"They had a guy that we left unblocked in the hole, and Kody just made him miss," offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. "A good back can cover up some mistakes for you up front sometimes, and Kody did that."
Flash and crash
Tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. said his description he gave in a staff meeting regarding the play of tight ends Austin Cantrell, Will Gragg and C.J. O'Grady, all redshirt freshmen, reflected the highs and lows of their work.
"There were flashes and there were crashes," Lunney said. "And we've got to get rid of the crashes. From an assignment standpoint, or whatever it might be, we have to have a whole lot more flash and a whole lot less crash. They all have the physical tools to be significant contributors."
Extra points
• Nose guard Taiwan Johnson, who sat out last Saturday's scrimmage with an ankle sprain, also missed Monday's work. Coach Bret Bielema indicated he would probably give the senior time to recover this week to have a chance to compete in this Saturday's scrimmage.
• Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema has not announced any public viewing options for spring scrimmages yet, but he has given an indication this Saturday's scrimmage might be open. Bielema responded to a question on Twitter last week that he "was looking at Saturday as a possibility" for an open practice.
Sports on 04/05/2016