Razorbacks report

Focus on improved tackling

Arkansas' Brooks Ellis (left) and Bijhon Jackson (center) tackle University of Texas at El Paso's Jeremiah Laufasa (bottom) Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, during the third quarter of play in Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas' Brooks Ellis (left) and Bijhon Jackson (center) tackle University of Texas at El Paso's Jeremiah Laufasa (bottom) Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, during the third quarter of play in Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Defensive coordinator Robb Smith said more precise tackling would be emphasized this week after four missed tackles in space contributed to Texas-El Paso converting on 7 of 14 third-down plays.

"We've got to do a better job of getting those guys on the ground," Smith said. "I've got to do a better job of putting them in position to do that.

"That's something that obviously we'll work to remedy this week."

Coach Bret Bielema said he expected tackling to improve in the coming games after the Razorbacks cut back substantially on live tackling periods in camp.

"I think just the improvement in tackling from the first half to the second half was big, and I expect that type of jump this week," Bielema said.

Coming back

Receiver Jojo Robinson has been reinstated to the team along with suspended freshmen C.J. O'Grady and Blake Johnson, Bret Bielema said.

Robinson was at first suspended for the first half of the opener against UTEP for an incident in the summer, but Bielema increased it to a full-game suspension for an off-the-field issue that Bielema said was a distraction last week. The redshirt freshman is still day to day, Bielema said, and might make his long-awaited debut against Toledo.

O'Grady and Johnson were both arrested on alcohol-related offenses the weekend before the opener, shortly after Bielema announced they would likely be redshirting this fall.

Depth chart news

Transfer Jeremiah Ledbetter has moved ahead of sophomore Tevin Beanum in a co-starter designation at defensive end after Lebetter's impressive debut against Texas El-Paso.

Asked if that meant Ledbetter would start Saturday's game against Toledo in Little Rock, Bielema said, "There's a good chance of that right now, just because he played so well."

Ledbetter led Arkansas with eight tackles, all in the first half, while Beanum was credited with two tackles. Both ends posted a half-tackle for lost yardage.

"Those guys will be competing for every rep this week in practice, and at the end of the week we'll find the guy who is in the best spot and we'll have him out there," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "But you're going to see quite a bit of Led and Tevin in this game."

Allen accolades

Toledo Coach Matt Campbell heaped praise on Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen on Monday after the senior completed 14 of 18 passes for 308 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Hogs' 48-13 win over Texas-El Paso.

Allen, who extended his streak of passes without an interception to 108 attempts, posted an efficiency rating of 294.8, the highest in his 26 starts, to rank second nationally behind Louisiana Tech's Jeff Driskel (321.4).

"I think he's one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country right now," Campbell said. "He's a kid, when you really watch him play from an efficiency standpoint, with what they ask him to do, has ability to make all the throws across the field. He does a great job of it.

"I have so much respect for him and how he manages the football game."

Lunney beat Auburn

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos said tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. gave him a tour of War Memorial Stadium, site of Saturday's home game against Toledo, in the spring when both coaches were in town recruiting, and that Lunney provided commentary chock full of nostalgia about the stadium.

Asked if Lunney mentioned the Razorbacks' 30-28 victory in Little Rock over Auburn as part of Arkansas' 1995 SEC West championship run during his senior year, Enos replied, "He probably mentioned that about 10 or 20 times."

Hog stars

The Arkansas coaching staff named Brandon Allen, Alex Collins and Keon Hatcher as their offensive players of the week. Defensive honors went to end Jeremiah Ledbetter and nickel back Henre Toliver.

The special teams MVPs were placekicker Cole Hedlund and kickoff specialist Lane Saling. Scout-team honors went to running back Connor McPherson, defensive tackle Ke'Tyrus Marks and walk-on receiver Javonte Siglar on special teams.

Play list

The Arkansas offensive staff got 37 plays worth of film on the Toledo defense from its suspended game against Stony Brook last Thursday.

The Arkansas defense has about 39 plays on the Toledo offense from the opener.

Toledo fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, but rallied to lead Stony Brook 16-7 at halftime before the game was suspended due to weather conditions and called a no contest.

"We basically took the plays from their Stony Brook game and included them in the cutups of particular opponents that we picked out that we thought there were similarities last year so we could develop our game plan," Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "That's what we're in the process of doing today."

Uekman observance

Tight end Alex Voelzke is expected to return from a back injury this week, but the senior is not going to be wearing his normal No. 46 jersey.

Voelzke, a former walk-on, will wear No. 88 as part of his acceptance of the annual Garrett Uekman memorial scholarship, which is available to all Razorbacks student athletes, with preference given to football players, tight ends and current or former walk-ons.

Uekman, from Little Rock Catholic, died of an enlarged heart on Nov. 19, 2011, the day after he suited up with the Hogs in their victory over Mississippi State at War Memorial Stadium in his hometown of Little Rock.

Worth noting

• Coach Bret Bielema said cornerback Cornelius Floyd, who missed the opener with a hamstring injury, will probably be held out another week "unless he makes a big comeback."

• Senior tailback Jonathan Williams' status on the travel roster for Saturday's game is still uncertain, said Bielema, who added that it was "awesome" to have Williams at midfield on his scooter for the opening coin toss last Saturday. Williams is out for the regular season after undergoing surgery from a torn ligament in his left foot.

• Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whom the Razorbacks will face on Sept. 19, led all FBS quarterbacks with 425 passing yards last week. Mahomes was 33 of 53 passing with 4 touchdowns and an interception in the Red Raiders' 59-45 victory over Sam Houston State.

• Arkansas center Zach Rodgers was among the true freshmen to see action in the season opener after Arkansas coaches said earlier in camp he might be headed for a redshirt.

Sports on 09/08/2015

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