FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' defense must switch gears quickly to try to contain the wide-open Toledo Rockets on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Texas-El Paso presented a physical, downhill running game with a dash of misdirection, but the Miners were not a downfield passing threat in the opener. Toledo, a team that ranked No. 15 nationally with 490.5 total yards per game last season, can run effectively and work different areas of the field with the passing game out of its spread formations.
"They're a balanced offense, and they're going to make us defend all parts of the field," Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said.
The Razorbacks, unhappy with missed tackles in the opener, added emphasis on tackling this week in preparation for a number of shifty Toledo receivers and runners.
"More cut tackles, shedding blocks, get your eyes on the right spot, keep your head up, see what you hit," safety Josh Liddell said. "We've got to get better in that area."
Toledo starting quarterback Phillip Ely, a transfer from Alabama and a team captain, completed 41 of 68 passes for 541 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception last year before being lost for the season with a knee injury during a 49-34 loss to Missouri in the Rockets' second game.
Logan Woodside had a big year after Ely's injury, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 2,263 yards with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Both quarterbacks are likely to play against the Hogs.
"They do a great job of distributing the ball, and those two kids do a great job extending plays well too," Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said.
"Phillip has come into our program and done a tremendous job," Toledo Coach Matt Campbell said. "He's an extremely humble person, an extremely dynamic leader, and a young man that has a great grasp of who we want to be offensively.
"I think what he has the ability to do for us is continue to keep the chains moving. He creates a big-play threat at all times and has the athletic ability to make things happen with his feet as well."
Ely and Woodside have prime options at receiver, led by 6-4 Alonzo Russell, 5-9 Corey Jones and 6-1 Cody Thompson, as well as 5-11 Dionte Johnson and 6-4 Andrew Davis, two well-regarded freshmen.
"They have some really good receivers," Liddell said. "Some are short, quick and really good in space. [Ely's] a very quick-read kind of guy. He tries to get the ball out quick."
Even though 1,631-yard rusher Kareem Hunt is suspended for Saturday's game, the Rockets are potent at tailback with Terry Swanson, Damion Jones-Moore and Marc Remy.
"They're still a good team," Arkansas linebacker Josh Williams said. "We can't underestimate them."
Jones-Moore scored rushing touchdowns from 37 and 7 yards last Thursday against Stony Brook as Toledo built a 16-7 lead in a game that was suspended because of inclement weather. Jones-Moore led the Rockets with 70 rushing yards, while Remy had eight carries for 44 yards. Swanson, the starter, suffered a sprained ankle after two carries and is questionable for Saturday.
"They're going to spread it a little bit," Arkansas linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves said. "They're going to run the ball though."
Toledo is in the unusual position of replacing all five offensive line starters, but Storm Norton, Paul Perschon, Ruben Carter, Mike Ebert and Elijah Nkansah average 6-5, 304 pounds, led by the 6-8, 310-pound Norton at left tackle.
"Even though they lost all five starters, they've got some good size, some good length, so they've still got some good talent," Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest said.
"Those guys do a great job matching up one-on-one from what we've seen on film and holding onto blocks," Arkansas defensive end JaMichael Winston said.
Smith noted Toledo leaned about 60-40 to the running attack, which accounted for 256.4 yards per game and ranked 10th by averaging 5.8 yards per carry last year.
Jennings said the Razorbacks put things on tape, like six missed tackles from their defensive backs against UTEP, that Toledo will try to exploit.
"Our ultimate job is to get guys on the ground, not go for kill shots," Jennings said in reference to some of the tackling whiffs by the Razorbacks last week. "We have to be able to tackle guys in a phone booth, and we have to be able to tackle guys in space."
The Razorbacks utilized more three-linebacker looks against UTEP's more traditional formations, but this week nickel back Henre Toliver and other defensive backs are likely to play more reps than a third linebacker behind Brooks Ellis on the weak side and the combination of Josh Williams and Khalia Hackett in the middle.
Sports on 09/11/2015