FAYETTEVILLE — There is plenty to discuss four games deep into the Arkansas season. Some of it is headed in the right direction, like the run defense where coordinator John Chavis has plugged some leaks.
The Hogs don't seem to be giving up the chunk plays in the run game with Chavis finding ways to load the box with post-snap moves. Defensive linemen seem to be in the backfield more and there are fewer missed tackles at the next level.
But the big positive after a 34-3 loss to Auburn is that there seems to be a true starter at quarterback for the first time since Chad Morris has started the process of rebuilding the team last winter. Ty Storey is his guy.
That was obvious after the Auburn game. Morris left the field next to Storey, with his arm draped around Storey. There wasn't anyone saying what words were exchanged between the head coach and the quarterback.
But it's now clear that Storey is the guy - and not Cole Kelley - as the Hogs trudge forward in the toughest part of the schedule, a trip to Arlington, Texas, play Texas A&M and then a home game with No. 1 Alabama. Both games the next two weeks are scheduled for 11 a.m.
Whether it was listening to Morris or offensive coordinator Joe Craddock speak to the media Monday, it was clear that they are going with Storey, except for perhaps a few short yardage snaps for Kelley.
Storey's jersey was not the same color as his teammates after the Auburn game. That white had turned to green because of all the times he went to the turf on runs and passes. He had 12 rushing plays in the game, only two for sacks.
“He competed and fought,” Morris said of his quarterback. “We were much improved. It was evident by the color of his jersey that he was hit and hurried, but he competed.”
Did they know Storey had that kind of running ability? Craddock didn't fully answer the question, but he did say the team fully understands it after they were made to watch all of the hits Storey took in a tape study Sunday.
“We showed the whole offense the beating he took,” Craddock said. “That's what he did, take a beating. He played gritty. He's a tough kid. We all saw that. They kept knocking him down and he kept getting back up.”
Craddock wasn't surprised, although there had been no scrimmages where the top two quarterbacks were live either in the spring or in the fall. Craddock said, “I knew he would (hold up). It's something we can build on.”
The challenge is to protect better. The offensive line appears to be set with Hjalte Froholdt moving from center to his old position at left guard. Ty Clary looks to be the starter at center.
Clary had worked a lot at center the previous two weeks, but worries over inconsistency in the shotgun snaps had prevented coaches from going with the lineup that was used for every snap against Auburn.
“Obviously, this is our best lineup,” Craddock said. “We were concerned (with moving Clary) because of the snaps. He did have two high snaps in the game.”
But Clary is getting better in that regard. Moving Froholdt back to guard provided some holes in the running game, both in the area over the left guard spot and with pulling plays, something Froholdt does well.
Craddock said moving Froholdt back to guard “gave us more athletic ability there. We got him back in his natural element. Center was new to him. We just had to get Ty comfortable making the snaps and we got that done in the last few weeks.”
Craddock said Storey “played really well and graded out high. He missed a motion in the red zone that would have helped, but he got us in the right checks and the right calls. We just have to do better on third down” where the Hogs were just 3 of 17.
Storey completed just 13 of 31 passes for 141 yards, but often was running for his life because of protection issues. Coaches noted that there were some open receivers behind the Auburn secondary but those were usually on plays when Storey was flushed and trying to dodge hits.
"But we did some things we can build on," Craddock said. "We will be on the right track when we get into October."
No one said it Monday, but not only do the Hogs know who they are going to play at quarterback but they may know who they are going to play more at running back, too. Rakeem Boyd made plays in both the run and the pass games. He was at Texas A&M one semester, so he'll get to show his old teams his stuff this week.
“Rakeem has gotten better every week,” Craddock said. “He's gotten into the details (of the offense). He was patient. He waited for the hole to open up (against Auburn), then he hit it.
“He's getting into better shape. He's gained 10 to 15 pounds since he's gotten here and he's gotten into better shape.
“I think he's very excited to play against his old team.”
It's the “old team” for Chavis, too. He coached the last three seasons at Texas A&M. He didn't ever call the Aggies by name on Monday, once referencing them as “Team X on the other sideline.” It was almost comical.
Asked what he thinks about being on the other side of the rivalry, Chavis said, “I haven't been there until this week.” It's just another game, important because it's “the next game.”
That really won't be the way it is. No one believes that it's not important to Chavis. Morris graduated from A&M, but wouldn't say much about that Monday.
Both Morris and Chavis mentioned the way the Hogs have come together on defense to stop the run. The Hogs have the SEC's top-rated defense against the run, allowing just 88.3 yards per game.
“Credit to Coach Chavis,” Morris said. “Developing some depth up front has helped. Moving (McTelvin Agim) outside (to end) has helped. We've got a good rotation inside with T.J. Smith and Armon Watts. Getting Dre Greenlaw back and Scoota (Harris) is playing well.”
Chavis said Greenlaw's return after missing two games with an ankle sprain was critical. But the pass rush also benefitted from Randy Ramsey getting full speed at end.
“Dre and Randy brought us senior leadership,” Chavis said. “Those two have played a lot of football. They made a difference with communication.”
That's on the field and off.
“They can get us lined up right, but they can also communicate on the sideline what's happening on the field,” Chavis said. “We played Dre too many plays. He was playing well, but we left him out there too long.
“What Dre was able to do was keep guys up on the sideline. There is not a price you can put on that.”
Chavis said linebackers and defensive backs have played too many snaps. He wishes there was the same rotation as far as number that the Hogs have played in the defensive line.
“But it's easier to make changes up front,” he said. “They make a mistake up front, you have someone cover for it at the next level. In the back end if you make a mistake, someone's band is going to be playing and it's not ours.”
There was more talk about how to fix the special teams. There may be some more defensive starters placed on the punt and kickoff team, although there were no names mentioned. The punt team features several walk-ons or former walk-ons.
“Our fundamentals (on special teams) have to improve,” said Morris, who said there has been emphasis on those units in the spring, August camp and during the season.
However, Morris said the play of those units “has been very disappointing.” That would probably be an understatement.
“We will shore up scheme,” he said. “We go back and look at personnel there weekly.”
On punt protection, Morris said the breakdowns were at several positions, but not in the three-man shield.
“We had a couple of (missed assignments) on the front line,” Morris said. “The shield was holding steady. But the front line allowed extra defenders to get through.”
There were breakdowns on protections on three rushes by the Tigers. That's the only times they brought pressure. They were kind to the Arkansas punt team at other points and worked to set up returns. They got to the punter's feet every time the Tigers tried.
Both Chavis and Craddock said they would give up starters to special teams this week.
“It's simple: we have to do what we've got to do,” Chavis said.
Then, Craddock said the unthinkable, an obvious reference to the importance of the situation. Now that the Hogs know they have a quarterback, the quarterbacks coach said, “If they want to use Ty Storey (on special teams), I'm fine with that.”
The special teams do need some of Ty Storey's grit now that the Hogs know their quarterback has it.