FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring related last week an analogy about the Razorbacks being on the precipice of a mountain. Herring suggested theteam's performance against Ole Miss would determine whether the Razorbacks fell off the edge or walked down the mountain.
Clearly Arkansas is in one piece today after a 44-8 whipping of Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., last Saturday.
But Herring is being very cautious about spreading laurels liberally on the defense.
"I hate to talk about improvement because we've got major, major battles ahead of us," Herring said."Five weeks from now, we'll know how to talk about this defense. The story'll be written.
"I can tell you this: I don't trust the maturity right now of this defense to be bragging too much on them. I think this defense could tank in a hurry if they get a little full of themselves and don't forget how they improved."
A-ha, he said improved. And on that point, there is little debate because the numbers don't lie.
"Reggie and the staff have always done a good job of fighting some things early and getting better with each game, especially toward the end of the year," Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said. "They've always played their best ball in November, so I'm hopeful that's the case."
No word on what metaphorical ledge Herring was perched on after Week 3, when the Arkansas defense was coming off a fourth-quarter disaster against Kentucky that dropped the Hogs to 104th nationally in points allowed (36.3 per game), 97th in passing yards allowed (268.7 per game) and 81st in total defense (420.3 yards per game).
One month after veering into that statistical ditch, the Razorbacks have coalesced into a fit defense, improving to No. 2 nationally in pass efficiency, No. 16 in passing yards allowed and No. 40 in total yards allowed.
"Some of the seniors have stepped up and spoken their mind and just let everybody know we had to start finishing games," said senior linebacker and defensive captain Weston Dacus.
"We're trying to build and get on a roll, get on a streak," defensive tackle Marcus Harrison said. "[The defensive plan against Ole Miss] comes back to Coach Herring. He's pretty much a genius when it comes to breaking down a game plan."
Arkansas has allowed 9 points or less in three of its past four games, In its past two games against SEC competition, Arkansas held Auburn without atouchdown in a 9-7 loss and kept Ole Miss off the scoreboard until the Hogs led 37-0 midway through the fourth quarter.
"At the end of the day, what we're doing now that's different is we're playing smarter, we're a lot closer defense and we're a lot more accountable," Herring said. "It's hold onto the rope. The mistakes we made earlier that gave away touchdowns, we're not making them."
Arkansas' defensive turnaround is a product of several factors:
The shuffling on the defensive front has ended and players are understanding and embracing their roles.
Linebacker Freddie Fairchild and defensive tackle Harrison have turned it up a notch physically after being more tentative on repaired knee ligaments earlier in the season.
The switch of Michael Grant from free safety to cornerback has taken hold and solidified pass coverage.
The defensive backs have grown confident with improved play in using their eyes, which has led to heaps of more plays on passes.
The emergence of Elston Forte at weakside linebacker has helped stabilize the starting trio with Dacus and Fairchild.
The Arkansas offense has done a much better job with ball security, which was costly in the Alabama and Kentucky losses.
The understanding of assignments is more widespread, meaning everybody on defense is playing faster and smarter.
"We're all starting to click, finally," Dacus said. "We're looking forward to the rest of the season and seeing what kind of bowl we can get to."
Herring warned during thepreseason that the defense would have to mature and adapt as the season went along.
"It's not like we came back with 10 or 11 starters and just had to chisel them into all-conference players," Herring said. "As disappointing as the Alabama and Kentucky losses were, there were times when we were playing at a very high level."
The defense has recorded eight takeaways, including seven interceptions, in the last four games, while the yardage numbers and points against it have plummeted. The Razorbacks have cut more than 15 points off their defensive scoring average in the last month, down to 21.1 points per game.
The line in the sand drawn by the defense in the last four weeks hasn't resulted in all victories. Auburn only got as close as the Arkansas 3-yard line, but its three field goals were enough for a victory.
"We put the defense in a tough spot against Auburn," center Jonathan Luigs said. "That wasn't the way an offense should play. We should be able to keep the defense off the field and let [Darren McFadden) and [Felix Jones] run all day."
Herring simply won't delve into the statistical talk.
"I'll talk about them improving, but not stats," he said. "I think stats are something to look at at the end of the year. I always believe that somewhere in between the top and bottom of stats lies the truth.
"We've got five games left. As long as these kids stay focused and play with spirit and keep playing hard, we're going to have a chance in every game we play. ... We've got a chance, at least a chance, to finish with some selfrespect."
Sports, Pages 17, 24 on 10/25/2007