FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has lost four straight games and has No. 1 Alabama coming to town, but it does not look like the team has fallen apart.
In fact, Chad Morris appears to be doing a good job of keeping everyone headed in the same direction despite a 1-4 record in his first year as head coach for the Razorbacks. No one questions effort or fight despite the losing streak.
It seems like Morris is getting issues fixed and holding the team together. The only problem is that the opposition this week is the elite of college football, the defending national champion.
Despite Alabama looming, there seemed to be a positive theme on Monday. Unity was preached and it might be needed as the Tide comes to town for an 11 a.m. start Saturday.
There was a togetherness theme at Monday's press conference, especially noticeable as defensive coordinator John Chavis preached the togetherness message in his turn in the media room. Chavis, nicknamed "Chief," said it's only normal that the defense has caught fire ahead of the offense.
“It's a lot easier to install a defense a lot quicker than an offense,” Chavis said. “Now there might be exceptions, but that's generally true.
“We want to play a style of defense that will take pressure off the offense. We are not there yet as far as the take aways.”
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw did provide two interceptions last week in a 24-17 loss to Texas A&M, but Morris said they were wasted by the offense. The Hogs did not score after either of the turnovers. The Hogs won the turnover battle, 2-1, with the lone lost possession an interception in the closing seconds of the game.
Quarterback Ty Storey mentioned after the game that many from the defensive side of the ball – and that includes Chavis and other coaches – have been quick to encourage over the last two weeks as the offense has sputtered. All have praised the gutsy play of Storey.
Chavis praised Storey's efforts Monday, calling the junior quarterback “a competitor.” He added that's what is needed as the Hogs battle to fight through a tough start to the season.
“When you are in a storm, you better be locked up,” Chavis said.
Obviously, the message from the top has been about battling through “the storm” ever since the Hogs blew an 18-point lead in a 34-27 loss to Colorado State in the season's second week. Chavis praised Morris for keeping the locker room in one step.
“Coach Morris has been incredible,” Chavis said. “It's a team.
“Our offense is getting there. We are going to be a family. We are going to grab hold of each other and make each other accountable.”
The defense has held both Auburn and Texas A&M well under their season averages in total offense. Chavis said it's an easy answer as to why the Hogs have played better defense in SEC play than perhaps the previous two weeks.
“One of the things we are always going to do to try to improve each week is to stress the fundamentals and we've done that,” Chavis said. “But – and I don't ever want to make excuses – we got two players back. That's not an excuse. It's just stating something.”
Of course, that's in reference to linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who was out of the Colorado State and North Texas games. Defensive ends Randy Ramsey missed the first two games, then played only a limited role against North Texas. He's played most of the snaps the last two weeks. Both are seniors.
Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock appreciates the support from Chavis. They sit side by side in the press box to call signals for their respective units. Craddock told of a caring moment just after the 34-3 loss to Auburn.
“He put his arm around me and said, 'We are going to get over this and get it right,'” Craddock said. “I said, 'You are dadgum right.'”
The offense ranks last in the SEC with a 23.8 scoring average. At 348.8 yards per game, it ranks last in total offense, 108th in the nation.
Yet, Craddock sees a team pulling for his unit.
“The start to this season has brought our team closer together,” Craddock said. “We are closer as a team and a staff. After the second game, there was some splintering because it was a heartbreaking loss.
“Ever since that day, it's been pretty special to watch. Tears have been shed in the locker room after losses. No one wants to lose. You are going to be down, but Coach Morris has done a phenomenal job.”
Craddock said the defense “has played at an unbelievably high level, done a phenomenal job of getting stops and creating turnovers. In the last game with three minutes to go, I knew our defense was going to get us the ball back. I was on the phone with Ty getting plays ready.”
Sitting next to Chavis in the press box “is great. He's done a really good job for a long time. He gives us confidence and makes us know that we are going to continue to work and stay the course.”
Morris and Craddock know the mission is to become better on first down. The issues on third down are obvious. The Hogs are last in the SEC with a 29.3 conversion rate.
“We've had too many tackles for losses and sacks on first down,” Morris said. “It's kept us off schedule.”
Against A&M, Morris said the Hogs had seven third downs needing more than seven yards. But the problems go back to first down.
“We had 22 first down (plays), 16 of them were second-and-long to second-and-extra-long,” Morris said.
Craddock said said the problems on first down are a combination of things.
"Coach Morris and I stayed late last night looking at the specifics," Craddock said. "There were some penalties, there were times when we didn't sustain blocks and there were times where the running backs didn't hit the right place.”
One of the obvious issues in the offensive line has been at center. Dylan Hays was projected as the starter, but he's been out with back issues. Hjalte Froholdt started the first three weeks. Ty Clary has started the past two games while Froholdt moved back to left guard.
Hays has been listed as the backup until this week. Now, Shane Clenin is listed as the second-team center. But Morris explained Froholdt would move return to center if something happens to Clary.
It seems likely that the starting lineup in the offensive line stays the same for the third straight week. Morris didn't say that, but he came close.
“I said it last week, that's our best lineup,” Morris said. “The previous week (against Auburn), Ty (Clary) got the snap back great. We are giving Ty and Ty (Storey) extra work after practice. We don't have the issues in practice.”
There were snaps rolling on the ground – some off of Clary's tail – against A&M and at least one too high for anyone except the 6-7 Cole Kelley.
“Ty (Clary) has been working extremely hard on the snaps,” Craddock said. “We had some days in practice where he was a little off. Against Auburn, there were a couple that were wide. We want them perfect. Obviously, it wasn't very good (against A&M).”
Craddock said Sunday's practice began with Clary working against pressure, applied by Craddock.
“I took a shield and a blocking dummy and was coming over the top on every snap,” Craddock said of the pre-practice Sunday.
Craddock praised the other Ty for his extra work, too. Everyone seems to be behind Storey.
“I see him become more confident in the pocket,” Craddock said. “I think A&M was worn down a little at the end and he was able to stay in the pocket. He becomes more confident every week.
“You see the team rally behind Ty. They see the way he works. He watches extra tape and he stays after practice. He's gritty and doing the extra stuff.”
There has been discussion about whether the Hogs would have gone for two if they had scored a touchdown on their final possession. Craddock thinks that would have been the call from Morris.
“We had a chance to go for the tie or win it,” Craddock said. “I had a two-point play ready and was just waiting for Coach Morris to tell me to call it. I knew it would have worked. We saw it on film.”
No one is saying if there is such a play that would work this week against Alabama. No one is saying the Hogs will be in position to try it, either.
The talk was about staying together and the family atmosphere that Morris is creating with a high care factor. That might be needed this week.