FAYETTEVILLE - Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn addressed the video exchange flap with Arkansas in the opening comments of his weekly news conference Tuesday and didn’t want to discuss the matter any further.
“The film exchange issue was brought to my attention yesterday,” Malzahn said.
“We’ll always operate with the utmost integrity in everything we do, and if there’s ever anything I don’t know about that’s brought to my attention, we’ll deal with it in a prompt manner. The SEC office is aware of all the details on both sides.”
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema brought up the video issue Monday, claiming Auburn’s copy of its Sunday video exchange with the Razorbacks did not include a swinging gate formation the Tigers use before readjusting and kicking an extra point. The Arkansas staff picked up the formation from the TV copy of an Auburn game, Bielema said.
Asked if any other SEC team had complained to the league office about its video exchange, Malzahn said no.
“That’s all I’m going to say,” he said. “I have already addressed it.”
Bargain basement
Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said the Razorbacks are determined to get back on track offensively after scoring just 17 points in their past three games.
“We need to do better, there’s no question about it,” Chaney said. “We have not done our job. We’ve not held up our side of the bargain as far as scoring points. We’re very much aware of that.”
The Razorbacks have not thrown a touchdown pass since the fourth quarter of their SEC opener against Texas A&M, a span of 3 hours, 16 minutes and 9 seconds of game time.
“We did a lot of great things last week, did a lot of great things today [in the passing game],” quarterback Brandon Allen said. “We’re definitely working on this game plan that we need to get done for Auburn.
“Any time you get that extra week, it only helps the fact you’re really going to own that game plan and know exactly what’s going on.”
Ollison’s back
Sophomore tackle Grady Ollison said he is finally rounding into health after a series of setbacks that started with a high ankle sprain against Southern Miss.
“The past few weeks it seems like it’s been one thing or another, whether it’s my ankle or my elbow was messed up or my back has been bothering me,” Ollison said. “But this is the first time since Week 4 or 5 that I’ve actually felt completely healthy.”
Ollison said his elbow injury occurred against Texas A&M.
“Just laying under a pile with close to 1,000 pounds of guys on you and it just got twisted,” he said.
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said Ollison’s improvement has been noticeable.
“He’s putting the heat back on, and that’s good to see because it makes Brey [Cook] a better player,” Chaney said. “It makes us collectively a better offense.”
Cowan comeback
Sophomore D’Arthur Cowan appears ready to take over as the lead punt returner and as a receiver who takes more game reps.
“He’s practicing faster, practicing harder,” receivers coach Michael Smith said.
“He’s just trying to get back in the swing. People need to realize he missed the first half of the season.”
Cowan returned from the foot injury he suffered in camp in Week 6 at Florida and has one catch in three games.
“I think he can give us a boost because he’s got a little speed and he’s a shifty guy,” Smith said.
“I feel like I’m back in rhythm and everything’s going smoothly,” Cowan said. “You practice how you play, and I feel like how we’ve practiced through the bye week and now, it’s going to be a good outcome come Saturday.”
Marshall plan
Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall was termed day to-day by Gus Malzahn on Tuesday.
The 6-1, 210-pound junior participated in practice Sunday and was expected to work Tuesday.
Marshall apparently injured his right (throwing) shoulder while trying to run over a Florida Atlantic defender in the first quarter last week and came out of the game after a sack early in the second quarter.
“After the game obviously things were brought to my attention that he tried to run the guy over,” Malzahn said.
“We have to do a better job of educating him on when to get down or get out of bounds.”
Malzahn said he had to have similar conversations with Cam Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, when he was Auburn’s offensive coordinator.
“You’d rather have to pull him back than have to prod him on,” Malzahn said. “He’s a tough guy, and we’ve just got to be a little bit smarter next time we are in that situation.”
THURSDAY, OCT. 24 Mississippi State 28, Kentucky 22
SATURDAY, OCT 26 Texas A&M 56, Vanderbilt 24 Tennessee at Alabama, 2:30 p.m.
South Carolina 27, Missouri 24 LSU 48, Furman 16 Auburn 45, Florida Atlantic 10 Mississippi 59, Idaho 14
SATURDAY’S GAMES All times Central Miss. State at South Carolina, 11:21 a.m.
Florida at Georgia, 2:30 p.m.
Auburn at Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Tennessee at Missouri, 6 p.m.
Alabama State at Kentucky, 6:30 p.m.
UTEP at Texas A&M, 8 p.m.
Sports, Pages 24 on 10/30/2013