FAYETTEVILLE — The cornerback spot opposite Hudson Clark was something of a question mark for Arkansas entering its season opener.
It doesn’t appear that is the case any longer. Clark and LSU transfer Dwight McGlothern will head into Saturday’s matchup against South Carolina as the Razorbacks’ starters.
McGlothern, who at times operated with the third team at corner in the preseason because of an undisclosed injury in early August, earned a start No. 23 Cincinnati last week and was among the defensive players of the game. He finished with four tackles, including three solo stops, and his second career interception.
It came at an ideal time in the first quarter as the Bearcats pressed Arkansas with a long drive.
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Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, proud of the newcomer’s Week 1 effort and performance, said Monday he has to continue to improve and be more consistent.
“He is a gamer,” Pittman said. “That’s kind of who he is. We’ve figured that out. He seems to really enjoy it here, and he’s a great kid to be around.
“I think he’ll just continue to get better and better.”
According to Pro Football Focus analytics, McGlothern had the best opening-game performance among the Razorbacks’ corners. The site’s numbers show he played a position group-high 72 snaps, including 48 in pass coverage.
McGlothern recorded an overall defense grade of 74.2 and a coverage mark of 77.1. Clark was No. 2 at 61.3 and 61.7, respectively, over 66 snaps.
“I know when we played him last year, when we played LSU and he was over on the other side, he made some really good plays against us,” Pittman said. “He played ball. I trust him. I’m happy he’s here, and I think he’ll just continue to get better and better.
“That was a big pick he had Saturday.”
During LSU's 16-13 overtime loss to Arkansas in 2021, McGlothern had three tackles and one pass breakup. His pick against Cincinnati was his first since Oct. 16, 2021, against Florida.
McGlothern has a knack for making things happen after the interception. He returned his pick against the Gators 37 yards for a touchdown, and on Saturday returned the ball 51 yards to set up a 15-yard KJ Jefferson scoring run.
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His playmaking and sound coverage ability will be key again against the Gamecocks given uncertainty surrounding a pair of injured defensive backs in Jalen Catalon and Myles Slusher.
Specifically at cornerback, Pittman noted Monday that McGlothern, Clark and Rison-native Malik Chavis are ahead of other players. Chavis played 11 defensive snaps, according to PFF, and LaDarrius Bishop, who was beat twice on deep passes from Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant, played seven.
Their overall defense grades were 49.3 and 29.3, respectively. Clark finished Saturday’s game with 3 tackles, 1 pass breakup and 1 forced fumble.
“Well, we have a lot of work to do,” Pittman said of his cornerbacks. “I think probably Nudie and Clark — Chavis would be another one — are still guys that need to get on the field somehow. But they’ve got to practice better to do that.”