FAYETTEVILLE — For the second time in four weeks, a pair of Arkansas defensive players have been recognized by the SEC following a Razorbacks win.
Linebacker Bumper Pool and safety Joe Foucha were named co-defensive players of the week after Arkansas snapped its 20-game losing streak in conference play at Mississippi State. On Monday, linebacker Grant Morgan and cornerback Hudson Clark earned weekly honors.
Morgan, a former walk-on from Greenwood, was named SEC defensive player of the week. He finished the 33-21 win over Ole Miss with a career-high 19 tackles, two pass breakups and a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Battling an injured left arm, Morgan was the recipient Saturday of the Crip Hall Award, given annually to the most outstanding senior on Homecoming. He leads the Razorbacks with 52 tackles and has now recorded 10-plus tackles in three of four games this season.
“It's going to have to take a lot (to take me out of the game),” Morgan said Saturday. “I love playing football. I love being a Razorback. I love going out there and getting wins like that. That's what it's meant for, just to be able to play through pain.
“Football is a painful game, so if there is no pain in it then nothing is getting done. It’s going to have to take a lot. It's going to have to come falling off.”
Clark, a walk-on defensive back from Highland Park in Dallas, was named SEC freshman of the week after a breakout three-interception showing against the Rebels. He is the first Arkansas freshman with three picks in a game.
The only other Razorbacks freshman with a multi-interception game is Kenoy Kennedy.
Monday morning, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said on SEC Network that the walk-on will be placed on scholarship in January. Through three games this season, Clark has 14 tackles and is tied for the national lead in interceptions.
“Hudson Clark getting three interceptions, that's incredible,” Pittman said. “(People have) heard of him now – three times at least."