FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will enter Year 2 of the Chad Morris era on Saturday as roughly a four-touchdown favorite over visiting Portland State.
Senior linebacker De’Jon Harris, one of the team's three permanent captains, couldn’t care less.
The point spread doesn’t matter one bit, he insinuated Tuesday, particularly after the Razorbacks’ stunning 44-17 home loss to North Texas last season. Arkansas was favored by 6.5 points leading into the meeting with the Mean Green.
“No, no, no,” Harris said as a reporter asked if there was a chance the Razorbacks could be overlooking the Vikings and ahead to their Southeastern Conference opener at Ole Miss in Week 2.
“You don’t worry about anybody (else), especially after losing to North Texas last year,” he continued. “So, I really don’t overlook anybody now. I know we always say that, but I guess you just take it more serious when something like North Texas actually happens to you. So no, we’re not overlooking anybody.”
Morris echoed his linebacker's thoughts on Wednesday. He doesn't believe the Razorbacks will overlook any opponent this season - not after a 2-10 finish.
"It’s not about who we play, it’s about how we play," Morris said. "I shared with them today in our team meeting, I’m far more concerned about their preparation and how they continue to prepare, regardless of who we play and the magnitude of the game on Saturday. It’s about preparation today and that’s been our focus.
"Our guys have had great preparation to this point and I expect that today.”
Harris and Jarques McClellion, slated to earn his 10th career start at corner Saturday, both addressed Portland State's makeup offensively. The unit's production begins with senior tight end Charlie Taumoepeau, who finished 2018 with 28 catches for 580 yards and five touchdowns.
A first team All-Big Sky performer last season, Taumoepeau's 45 receptions as a sophomore were the most by a Vikings tight end in nearly 30 years. McClellion also pointed to 6-1 receivers Emmanuel Daigbe and Mataio Talalemotu, who combined for 775 yards and six touchdowns on 46 catches a season ago, as weapons.
“They have a good wide receiver corps,” McClellion said. “Their star is (89), their tight end. He’s an All-American, so that’s who we’ve got to worry about. They’re just a good group.
"We can’t sleep on them. We’ve got to play every Saturday. Ain’t no wins given.”
Harris, when asked about the Vikings' quarterbacks, added Davis Alexander and Jalani Eason, both juniors, provide different looks. Alexander (112 rush attempts, 12 touchdowns in 2018) is more of a threat to run, while Eason can challenge opposing secondaries.
"Their best player, they like to get him the ball as much as they can," Harris said. "They run. They’ve got some very good decent running backs, so they run the option with those guys, but they’re kind of balanced throughout. I think they run the ball more than they pass."
Portland State returns eight starters from 2018 to lead its 3-4/4-3 flex defense. Razorbacks starting quarterback Ben Hicks said the Vikings' defense is unorthodox.
"They’re very talented and they play hard," Hicks added. "They play an awkward scheme (with) how they play, but they play hard. You know they are going to come out here and play hard on Saturday.
"We’ve got to match that intensity, and I think we will. I think we're prepared for that."