WholeHogSports
KNOCK ON WOOD : UA offense needs to score big Saturday
Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007
URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/57385/
Arkansas’ date with Kentucky couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Razorbacks.
The last thing the Razorbacks’ defense needed after being worked over by Alabama’s passing game last Saturday is a shootout with the Wildcats, who boast the most prolific passing game in the Southeastern Conference this side of Florida and Tennessee.
Behind the accurate arm of André Woodson, the Wildcats are averaging 48. 7 points and 257. 7 yards passing a game. With 21 receptions for 257 yards, Keenan Burton leads a group of six Kentucky receivers who have at least five receptions this season. Dicky Lyons is second with 13 catches for 167 yards, followed by Steve Johnson with 7 catches for 167 yards.
By contrast, Peyton Hillis is the Hogs’ leader in receptions with nine grabs for 73 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby Tuck leads in yardage with two catches for 82 yards and two TDs.
What makes Ketucky’s passing game so dangerous is that the Wildcats are not one-dimensional. Kentucky is actually second in the SEC to the Razorbacks in rushing offense, averaging 246 yards per game. Wildcats running back Rafael Little is third in the league in rushing, averaging 129. 3 yards per game.
Add that to the fact, the Wildcats are ranked second in the SEC in turnover margin, forcing two turnovers a game, and it’s easy to see why the Wildcats are ranked.
To say the least, defending the pass is not the Razorbacks’ forté.
Giving up 270 yards passing a game, the Hogs’ rank 11 th in the SEC in pass defense, and after Alabama’s two-minute passing game picked the Razorbacks’ defense clean, the Hogs have made some personnel moves in an attempt to shore things up.
Free safety Michael Grant moves to corner with his backup Kevin Woods taking over the center fielder spot. Former starter at corner Jerell Norton will be highly involved in Saturday’s game plan as the Hogs’ break out of their base formation to defend the Wildcats.
The moves may be good ones. Woods is improved and Grant is going to play well no matter where he lines up. Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said putting Grant at corner will allow him to be around the ball more where he can make plays.
Grant’s backed up that assertion. As a part-time corner in 2005, Grant made three interceptions. He also picked off three balls last season, but as a full-time starter at free safety.
The Razorbacks’ pass defense could also stand a bigger push up front. The depth chart on the defensive front has spun like a revolving door since August. Ernest Mitchell misses this week’s game after an onthe-field altercation with Alabama’s Justin Britt.
Projected starters Antwain Robinson and Marcus Harrison have had rollercoaster seasons thus far because of off-the-field trouble.
Arkansas’ defensive front could be formidable if all its hands were on deck, but thus far the defensive line’s collective play has been as spotty of some as some of its members’ decision-making.
Arkansas’ decent against the run, allowing 142. 5 yards on the ground a game, but the Hogs haven’t put up much of a fight in the red zone. Opponents have scored on the Razorbacks nine out of the 10 times they have reached the Razorback 20.
No matter how you look at it, those numbers aren’t good and shuffling a few guys around won’t create an immediate miracle.
Arkansas has a solid defensive coaching staff and some talent to work with, but it might be October before all the pieces fall together.
In the meantime, Arkansas’ offense better be ready to strap it on and score, score, score. No lead is too much, especially against this dangerous breed of Wildcats.
Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.