Arkansas at No. 24 LSU

Secret life of QBs: Razorbacks remain mum on starter for Saturday

Austin Allen operates from under center as Arkansas takes on New Mexico State Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema is all in with playing the quarterback secrecy game this week against LSU.

Bielema said Saturday he intended to play both 6-7 freshman Cole Kelley, who is 2-2 as a starter, and senior captain Austin Allen, who has had four weeks to recover from the right shoulder injury he suffered in a 48-22 loss at South Carolina.

Bielema reiterated Monday he did not anticipate announcing a starter this week to give the Razorbacks (4-5, 1-4 SEC) any strategic advantage available for Saturday's 11 a.m. game at No. 24 LSU (6-3, 3-2 SEC) in the annual Battle for the Golden Boot.

Allen, who Bielema said was available for last week's 39-38 victory over Coastal Carolina, said Tuesday he got in good work with the first unit.

"Cole's a little bit limited, but he looked good out there today," Allen said. "Coach [Dan] Enos will get the reps right [Wednesday] and Thursday, and whatever they decide on Saturday, I'm going to roll with it."

On Monday, Enos said the coaches would adjust practice reps for the quarterbacks based on their health.

"Obviously, who we think is going to be the most healthy and give us the best chance at winning is gonna get the majority," Enos said. "We go into [Tuesday] and say 50-50, and if somebody isn't feeling good or can't practice as long or whatever, then the other guy will get the majority."

Kelley was unavailable for media interviews Tuesday because he was getting treatment for the turf toe injury he suffered and played through Saturday.He called the injury "nothing too serious" Saturday, but he has worn a medical boot this week.

Allen said he's gone through a frustrating four weeks of rehabilitation, but he credited head trainer Matt Summers and his staff for their work with him.

"It was a long process," Allen said. "Last time I talked to y'all, I said I practiced but I couldn't really move my arm at that point. Been in the training room every day, from 6 a.m. to it feels like 9 at night.

"I've come a long way in four weeks. Just being able to go out there and throw again is something I didn't know if I was going to be able to do four weeks ago."

Allen said he's been rejuvenated by the possibility of getting back on the game field.

"All the work I've put in just being able to go back out there and throw it around and practice with the guys, it kind of gives you a new breath of football," he said. "You take it away for four weeks, you think it's gone and you get it back, I feel like a kid again out there."

Both Allen and Kelley are feeling the effects of hits.

Allen played through pain at South Carolina until the fourth quarter after taking a hit in the first half. He was available as an emergency option for Arkansas' 38-37 victory at Ole Miss on Oct. 28, and he was held back last week as the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville unexpectedly had to mount a comeback to down the Chanticleers.

"We've got a lot of guys on our team dealing with that stuff," Enos said of the run of injuries. "It's just been one of those years. They're both tough guys and both do a good job of getting rehab, and the good news is both now have live experience. We feel good about either one of them."

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron was asked mistakenly Monday about the potential for "Brandon" Allen, the Arkansas starting quarterback from 2013-2015, to return from injury against the Tigers.

"No question, we'll make a cut-up of Brandon Allen," Orgeron said. "We'll make a cut-up of the quarterback they have now. And there will be a different computer report and different game plan for each quarterback if it warrants."

LSU nose guard Greg Gilmore referenced Kelley on Monday evening.

"Some tall dude, I don't know his name, but I saw the whole defense on his back and he was still running," Gilmore said. "They ran like 10 quarterback draws against Alabama.

"I'm like, 'Dang, he's big.' I don't know if the other quarterback is coming back or not. We're going to get ready for both quarterbacks."

LSU linebacker Devin White, who made a visit to Arkansas on the same recruiting weekend as Kelley, said both Arkansas quarterbacks are good.

"He's so big, you didn't know what he played," White said of Kelley on the visit. "I mean, he told me, 'Hey bro, I'm from Louisiana,' so I talked to him. He's a great big guy. I figured he'll be the easier one to take down because he's so big.

"You root for guys like that [fellow Louisianans], but not when they're playing your team. You always want to see Louisiana guys do well. But when you play against LSU, we're going to play hard and make you wish you were at LSU with us."

Orgeron pointed out the attributes of the experienced Allen.

"Obviously he's a winner," he said. "He's got a lot of heritage there at Arkansas with his family. He's a great young man, and he's won a lot of games.

"The other guy is a young guy. He's taller. Maybe not as mobile as [Allen], but he's a different pocket passer, but doing a good job."

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Sports on 11/08/2017