FAYETTEVILLE — Two weeks ago, following a 1-1 stretch against Ole Miss and Colorado State, there was cause for concern with Arkansas' defensive line, particularly in terms of stopping the run.
In their SEC opener, the Razorbacks allowed a season-high 237 yards and two touchdowns on the road to the Rebels on 53 carries, and the Rams totaled 220 yards and two more scores behind Marvin Kinsey's 180-yard day. Plain and simple, Arkansas' opponents were more physical up front.
Since then, though, the team's run defense looks to have taken a slight step forward, particularly last Saturday against the Aggies, who entered the Southwest Classic averaging 144.5 yards per game on the ground in the first four weeks of the season. Arkansas limited Texas A&M to 89 yards rushing, its second-best mark of the season behind only Portland State (75).
"We just tried to attack the line of scrimmage, tried to be physical at the point of contact," defensive tackles coach Kenny Ingram said Tuesday. "We kind of just tried to do our job. We were successful. We did some good things."
Senior defensive tackle T.J. Smith, who had totaled just five tackles in the first four weeks, spearheaded the Razorbacks' fight in the run game Saturday. He finished with a pair of tackles, including a sack, and also forced a fumble.
Monday, Smith was named to the Pro Football Focus national team of the week for his play. He recorded two quarterback hurries, chipped in with a defensive stop in the run game and "ate up blockers in the middle," the analytics site wrote.
"I think his presence was huge for us up front," Ingram said of Smith, a senior and permanent team captain. "I think he did a great job trying to be physical at the line of scrimmage, control the line of scrimmage. He got a big sack and strip. He just applied the things we've been doing in practice."
Ingram added that Smith's performance against the Aggies was one he can expound on as Arkansas hits a challenging stretch in conference play.
"Without question," Ingram said. "It’s something that other guys can watch, too. T.J., he’s consistent in practice, he’s consistent in his work ethic, so the other guys get to see it, as well as himself. He’ll get a chance to build off the success he had Saturday."
Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell was also proud of his group despite the loss. Senior defensive end Jamario Bell turned in two sacks of Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond, Gabe Richardson finished with five tackles (3 solo), a tackle for loss and forced the fumble that led to De'Jon Harris' six-yard scoop and score in the second quarter.
Bell, who did not play against Ole Miss or Colorado State with a left knee injury, is still not back to full speed, Caldwell noted, but he is happy to have the Junction City, Ark., native back in the rotation. His production stemmed from constant "straining."
"Obviously it was his most productive game that he’s had I think since he’s been here, most likely," Caldwell said. "Looking forward to getting him back in practice and getting him in better shape and just see if we can progress from what we accomplished last week.
"He kept after it. We call one of them a dirty sack," Caldwell continued. "The first one he got, they flushed (Mond) out of the pocket, and Jamario runs well enough that he kept on him and was able to make the play. Basically the same thing on the second one. He came off the edge and just kept pressing the tackle and was able to rip off of him - just staying after it."
True freshman Mataio Soli, playing with a bulky club on his right hand since fracturing a bone late in the season-opening win against Portland State, finished with three tackles, including one for a four-yard loss, against Texas A&M as well. Two weeks ago, defensive coordinator John Chavis praised the newcomer for his no-excuses attitude while wearing the wrap.
Caldwell did more of the same Tuesday, and said the stage is not too big for Soli, who played 53 snaps on Saturday.
"He goes on and the pain is not too much for him," he added. "You don't find many 18 year olds that you put in this league at that position that just keep on going and playing. He's been playing more snaps. Every time I walk out of a ball game I'm like, 'God dog, I played him too much.' Gabe played 43 (snaps). I need to get them all down in the 40s."
Arkansas coaches introduced Kentucky prep in Tuesday's practice. While several periods are dedicated to gearing up for the Wildcats on Oct. 12, they are also getting back to fundamentals this week. Caldwell said his group began the day working on hand placement.
"The big emphasis for myself, and I think the whole football team, is get back to the basics," said Caldwell, who expects freshman Zach Williams to return from a knee injury in time to play at Kentucky. "Shoot, I'm working on just getting in a good stance consistently, you know, and coming off the ball.
"All of those little things, especially with young guys, you have to continue to work on."