FAYETTEVILLE — It’s finally the first Arkansas game week for new coach Chad Morris, and his players couldn’t be happier that the season opener is only five days away.
The Razorbacks practiced Tuesday - their second-to-final full-scale workout before Saturday's 3 p.m. game against Eastern Illinois that will be televised by SEC Network.
Previously-injured players Randy Ramsey (hamstring), Dalton Wagner (appendix) and La'Michael Pettway (groin) went through practice after sitting out last week's mock game. Tight ends Jeremy Patton and Grayson Gunter, who were cleared to practice within the past week after suffering ankle injuries, wore green limited-contact jerseys Tuesday, but both are expected to play Saturday.
No one is more pleased game time is near than veteran cornerback Ryan Pulley, who suffered a season-ending injury in last season’s opener against Florida A&M.
“I’m so excited,” Pulley said. “I’ve been out 365 days, man. It’s time to get to work. I’m just trying to get these guys with me. I’m trying to get on the same level I’m on. I’m just ready to go, ready to play.”
The game will also serve as an unveiling for the new north end zone renovation, which has left an impression on senior linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
“It’s unbelievable,” Greenlaw said. “ I mean, it’s definitely one of the…if not the best stadiums in college football. It looks like an NFL stadium. They did a great job on that.
“It kind of reminds me of the Dallas Cowboys stadium, a little bit. Shoutout to (Dallas owner and former Razorback) Jerry Jones. When you look at it, it kind of reminds me of that. It’s nice and it’s big. We really appreciate everybody that contributed to working on it and putting money into it.”
The renovation includes a new game-day locker room that the players got to experience during a dress rehearsal a few days ago.
“It’s amazing,” running back Devwah Whaley said. “It’s first-class. I haven't seen anything like that besides the Cowboys’ stadium. It’s a blessing to have a locker room like that. On game days to get that feeling, an SEC team and one of the best locker rooms in the country. Now we’ve just got to back it up and go out there and play ball.”
Greenlaw made it clear he is more interested in getting the taste out of his mouth from last season’s 4-8 season.
“I mean, I think the most important thing is, you know, it’s the first game back from going 4-8, so I think a lot of guys just have a chip on their shoulders and [are] just ready to go out there and play ball," Greenlaw said.
“We’re definitely excited and happy, you know, to get the Coach Morris era started on the right track and that’s what we want to do. We want to start off the first game 1-0 and carry on from there. But, yeah, I think just the hype, the energy, the new stadium, Coach Morris and the scheme, I think everybody’s excited to play.”
Arkansas sophomore quarterback Cole Kelley was announced as the starter Monday by Morris and got the most reps in Tuesday’s practice.
“This is just the beginning,” Kelley said. “I’m trying to take it one day at a time. I thought we came out really good today offensive-wise. I thought the defense did, too. We had a lot of energy today and I’m really excited; just taking it one day at a time and doing my job.”
He also raved about the renovation.
“Like honestly, it is the best in the country, unless there’s a school I don’t know about somewhere,” Kelley said. “I mean really, even NFL locker rooms. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s just grade A.”
Senior safety Santos Ramirez was also excited about the players’ new digs and wants to reward those who made it happen.
“They did a great job over there in the new part of the end zone,” Ramirez said. “ And the locker room over there. It's beautiful. We are very grateful and appreciative and we want to make sure that we give it all back. Everything they've done for us we want to give back. The atmosphere and going into this first game we are really excited.
"I'm looking forward to a game just to blast somebody. Just going out there and making plays between the lines. So football is back, baby. We're ready.”