FAYETTEVILLE — Grayson Gunter was destined to play for one of the teams in the Arkansas-Mississippi State series.
But Gunter, a native of Madison, Miss., ended up committing to the Razorbacks over Mississippi State. He had his first college catch for a 29-yard gain two years ago in Arkansas’ 58-42 win over the Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium.
“I think not punting one time definitely stood out,” Gunter said. “Going down there and doing what we did offensively was kind of unheard of. I think four tight ends caught a ball. We ran for I don't know how much. Rawleigh (Williams) had an amazing game. That's something was definitely fun.”
Gunter redshirted in 2017 because of an injury, so he is looking forward to Saturday’s 11 a.m. game between the Razorbacks (2-8, 0-6) and No. 21 Bulldogs (6-4, 2-4). He admits it means more to him than some others.
“It definitely does,” Gunter said. “Growing up in Mississippi this was always a big game for me. Being able to go home and play in front of people I have known my entire life it's definitely cool and something I am looking forward to.”
Gunter, who has four catches for 51 yards this season and caught a 23-yard pass last week against LSU, is familiar with several Mississippi State players.
“I know several people on the team I went to high school with,” Gunter said. “I have been in touch with them this week. They said they are excited to see me so I'm definitely excited for that.”
Gunter’s father, Bubba, played at Ole Miss and was more OK with his son heading to Arkansas.
“It was a little bit different with my dad playing at Ole Miss, but he told me from the get go he was gonna support me wherever I wanted to go,” Gunter said.
Arkansas’ top three tight ends have caught eight touchdown passes this season with Cheyenne O’Grady hauling in six and Austin Cantrell and Gunter one apiece.
“I think we have guys that can do a lot of different things,” Gunter said. “I think it's good to see, we started a little bit slow this past week, but it was good to get our offense going against a defense like LSU that is known for having a top team every year. That was something good and we look for that momentum rolling into this week.”
The tight ends seem to be some of quarterback Ty Storey’s favorite targets. O’Grady was targeted 14 times against LSU.
“I think that just comes from trust,” Gunter said. “Just getting here in the offseason and getting acquainted with all the quarterbacks.”
They will have to make plays with Mississippi State’s fans ringing their cowbells before a play starts.
“It's definitely different having a noisemaker like that,” Gunter said. “It does make a little bit of an impact, but we have been on the road before and we have had crowd noise. I think we will be prepared for it.”
Mississippi State’s vaunted defensive front will likely have more impact than the cowbells.
“Just watching them on film they have a lot of players that stand out,” Gunter said. “I think their defensive line is the unit that kinda makes them go. Se we're gonna have to match their physicality.”
He’s also been impressed with the back seven.
“They're definitely good,” Gunter said. “They are fast and athletic. I think that we can use our tight ends and get some matchups that are more favorable to us. Maybe on a linebacker or safety and create a mismatch there.”
The temperature is expected to be in the low 60s at game time. That will be a break for Arkansas, which has been practicing in frigid temperatures this week.
Some Razorbacks were wearing shorts during Tuesday’s practice.
“I guess that kind of depends on where you're from,” Gunter said. “Me being from Mississippi it doesn't get too cold down there so I had to layer up as you can see here. But I guess some guys are just a little bit tougher than I am.”