FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas Coach Chad Morris typically has opened his Monday news conferences with a relatively thorough analysis of the previous game, which often includes pertinent statistics, game trends and his observations.
After the Razorbacks' 24-17 loss against Texas A&M, Morris gave an overview on a growing area of concern.
"We talk all the time about and have really stressed a fast start," he said. "Especially over the last few weeks. But we always talk about starting fast and finishing strong. I thought our finish was much better. Much improved.
"But this is three straight games we were unable to score in the first quarter and have taken a heavy punch. That continues to be, over the last three weeks, an issue. It's something we'll continue to address."
Arkansas has been outscored 41-0 in the first quarter by its past three opponents: 17-0 by North Texas, 10-0 at Auburn and 14-0 by Texas A&M.
"I don't think we started very fast, not like we wanted to," offensive coordinator Joe Craddock said. "That was a big emphasis last week, starting fast. Obviously we did not do that on offense."
Texas A&M opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, then drove 79 yards for a touchdown on its first offensive series.
"Unusual game the way it started," defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "Kickoff return, and we go out there and give up a drive that we could have played better on. There's no question about that."
Auburn logged its 10 first-quarter points after a 48-yard punt return to the Arkansas 27 and a 40-yard fumble return to the Hogs' 2. North Texas turned a second-possession interception into a 44-yard touchdown drive, and also scored on Keegan Brewer's 90-yard fake fair catch punt return.
It's a trap
Alabama Coach Nick Saban said Saturday's game at Arkansas had the look of a trap game for his team.
The Crimson Tide are a 33½-point favorite for the 11 a.m. game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, the largest spread as a road favorite Alabama has had under Saban.
"This is a very capable team," Saban said of the Razorbacks. "This is what I call a little bit of a trap game for us in terms of all the folks out there look at who they've played and what the scores were and don't get prepared the way you need to get prepared to go play to your standard and the level you have to play to beat any team in the SEC on the road."
Alabama has scored 50 or more points in four of its first five games and leads the nation with 54.2 points per game.
"Fayetteville has always been a difficult place to play," said Saban, who is 5-0 with Alabama at Razorback Stadium.
Personnel update
Tight end Jeremy Patton, who left Saturday's loss in Arlington, Texas, on crutches after suffering an ankle injury, will not be available this week, Coach Chad Morris said Monday.
Running back Devwah Whaley, the Hogs' leading rusher with 231 yards and two touchdowns, remains day to day this week after sitting out the Texas A&M game with a concussion.
Defensive tackle Briston Guidry, who was seen limping off the field Saturday, posted on his Twitter account that he might be out for a while, writing: "I swear I love my brothers it's not over I'll be back ... minor setback."
For Alabama, preseason All-SEC left tackle Jonah Williams has a sprained ankle.
"He probably will be, I think, the only guy that may not practice today," Coach Nick Saban said at his Monday news conference. "Maybe he'll practice tomorrow, but for sure probably by Wednesday. Everybody else, I think, is OK."
'Great call'
Arkansas Coach Chad Morris cannot publicly comment on committed players until they sign letters of intent, but he made a very obvious reference at the opening of his weekly news conference to the oral pledge given to the Razorbacks by four-star receiver Trey Knox of Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Monday.
Knox announced his commitment to Arkansas at high noon, the same scheduled start time for Morris' weekly news conference at the Fred Smith Football Center. Morris arrived in the media interview room about six minutes late.
"Sorry about being a little bit late," Morris said. "I had to take an important phone call. It was a great call."
Third downs
Neither Arkansas nor Texas A&M acquitted itself well on third downs Saturday.
The Razorbacks converted 3 of 12 third-down opportunities for 25 percent, while the Aggies were even worse at 2 of 10 (20 percent).
Arkansas ranks No. 124 in the FBS in third-down conversions at 29.3 percent. The Razorbacks are No. 12 in third-down defense by allowing a 28.2 percent conversion rate.
Tube talk
The Razorbacks' lone home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock -- against Ole Miss on Oct. 13 -- will kick off at 6:30 p.m.
The game, Arkansas' first against an SEC opponent in Little Rock since a 45-32 loss to Georgia in 2014, will be televised on the SEC Network.
The Razorbacks have not played a conference night game in Little Rock on a Saturday since defeating Mississippi State 14-9 in 1999.
Arkansas will try to extend its winning streak against the Rebels to five years after rallying from a 31-7 deficit to down the Rebels 38-37 last year in Oxford, Miss.
Going for 2
Coach Chad Morris hinted the Razorbacks might have gone for a two-point conversion had they scored a touchdown in the closing moments of Saturday's 24-17 loss to Texas A&M.
Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock said on Monday a two-point conversion would have been his preference.
"As bad as we played in the beginning and some in the middle there, we were put in position to go either tie or win it," Craddock said. "We had a two-point play ready, and we were waiting for Coach Morris when we scored to tell me to go for two. And I know it would have worked, at least from what we saw on film."
The Razorbacks drove to their own 45, but they didn't get a shot at a touchdown as safety Donovan Wilson picked off Ty Storey's deep pass for De'Vion Warren at the Aggies' 26 with Arkansas out of timeouts.
Sports on 10/02/2018