Offense
Quarterback
Alcorn State freshman Noah Johnson (43-69-0, 482 yards, 4 TDs) has played more than injured junior starter Lenorris Footman (16-32-1, 199 yards, 0 TDs). Johnson has made freshman errors, but he hasn’t thrown an interception, is a good runner (29-128, 4) and has completed 62.3 percent of his passes. Alcorn is No. 56 in FCS team passing efficiency.
Arkansas' Austin Allen’s stature grew with last week’s gutty showing against Texas A&M. Allen (81-121-2, 1,026 yards, 9 TDs) is No. 3 in the SEC/No. 21 NCAA in passing efficiency (159.4). His only interceptions came in the opener. He’s fourth in the SEC in passing TDs and yards. Redshirt freshman Ty Storey should play today. The Hogs are No. 22 in passing efficiency.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Running backs
The Braves’ Arron Baker (25-176) averages 7.0 yards per carry. The 5-10, 241-pound bruiser, listed third on the depth chart, also averages 20.3 yards on three pass receptions. De’Lance Turner (36-138, 1), 6-1, 214, is at 3.8 yards per carry. Listed starter Marquis Warford (20-83, 1) averages 4.2 yards per carry. The Braves lead the SWAC and are No. 32 in the FCS in rushing (187.3).
Arkansas' Rawleigh Williams (88-433, 4 TDs) bounced back from a goal-line fumble to score on the same play on his next carry against A&M. Williams ranks No. 4 in the SEC/No. 23 NCAA with 108.3 yards per game. He’s at 4.9 yards per carry. Freshman Devwah Whaley (24-85) had impressive runs vs. the Aggies, as did senior Kody Walker (24-89, 1). The Hogs’ team rushing average (3.8) is not impressive.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Receivers/TEs
Alcorn State's Jaborian McKenzie (21-226, 1 TD), a 5-9 speedster, has 12 more catches than any other Bravess receiver. Norlando Veals (9-135, 1) offers a tall target at 6-3, as does 6-2 LaDarrien Davis (6-70, 2), a graduate student. Reserves Collins Moore (3-35) and Jalen Walker (2-16) also have catches, but the Braves tight ends do not.
Arkansas' Keon Hatcher (14-281, 3) and TE Jeremy Sprinkle (13-143, 3) lead the team in TDs, while Drew Morgan (24-254, 1) leads in receptions. Jared Cornelius (10-156, 2) with 7-126, 1 receiving vs. A&M, and Cody Hollister (6-77) is emerging. The Hogs are eagerly awaiting a surge by Dominique Reed (4-53). TE Austin Cantrell (3-21) earned stripes with some blocks on Myles Garrett.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Line
The Braves’ interior is manned by seniors C Detonio Dade, 6-3, 300, a 2015 All-SWAC selection; RG Ladonn Bolden, 6-2, 292; and junior LG Edrick Thigpen, a 6-4, 330-pounder. The RT is junior Tim Gardner, 6-6, 300, and Deonta Brooks, a 6-4, 291-pound sophomore, plays the other tackle. Alcorn has allowed one sack. The Braves are No. 32 in the FCS in total offense (417.7).
The question mark on this Arkansas unit entering the season still looms. The Hogs switched back to the original lineup of C Frank Ragnow, RG Jake Raulerson, LT Dan Skipper, LG Hjalte Froholdt and RT Brian Wallace last week to mixed results. Pass protection was good until the must-pass 4th. Run blocking was OK except on goal-line snaps. Arkansas is No. 49 in sacks allowed (1.8).
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Defense
Line
Out of their base 4-2-5, the Braves start Kenyon Brantley (5 tackles) of Crossett and 6-1, 324-pound freshman Darrell Henderson (1) at tackle, and Michael Brooks (12, 1 TFL, 1 PBU) and Stacey Garner (16, 3 TFL, 1 sack) at end. End Ramonte Bell (11) is a quality sub, while Sterling Shippy (3, 3, 1) backs up on the inside. Alcorn is No. 39 in the FCS in run defense (134.0).
The Hogs did not defend the run well last week. Seniors Jeremiah Ledbetter (20, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBU), Deatrich Wise (19, 2 sacks, 3 hurries) and Taiwan Johnson (10, 1 sack, 1 hurry) continue to lead the unit, with solid work from Tevin Beanum (9), McTelvin Agim (7, 1 sack, 1 hurry), Randy Ramsey (5, 1.5), Austin Capps (4, 0.5), Brandon Lewis (4, 0.5) and Karl Roesler (3, 1). The Hogs rank No. 76 in rushing defense (165.5).
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Linebackers
Alcorn State senior Darien Anderson (30, 7 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 hurry), a 240-pound senior from Miami, is the team leader in tackles. He posted 12 tackles and 4 sacks at Grambling last week. Michael Hurns (25, 1), a 194-pound senior and the other LB starter, had 12 tackles vs. Alabama State. The Braves rank No. 98 in total defense (458.7).
Arkansas senior Brooks Ellis (30, 4 TFL, 1 INT) and sophomore Dre Greenlaw (32, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT) were blocked or screened on some of A&M’s biggest runs last week. Greenlaw has surpassed Ellis for the tackle lead. Look for more of Dwayne Eugene (2), De’Jon Harris (4) and others today. Arkansas is No. 69 in total defense (389.8).
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Secondary
Alcorn State nickel Eric Foster (11, 1 TFL, 3 PBU) will have to creep closer to the line for run help, leaving corners D’Andre Smith (8, 1 TFL, 3 PBU) and Diego Sama (6, 1 PBU) in some man coverage. Starting safeties Daniel Franklin (19, 1 PBU) and LaShaun Ealey (16, 1 PBU, 1 FR) weigh 170 pounds or less. The Braves are No. 119 in passing yards allowed (324.7) and No. 109 in pass efficiency.
Arkansas corners Jared Collins (4, 1 PBU) and Ryan Pulley (13, 6 PBU, 1 INT) have played relatively well all four games. DJ Dean (1) was beaten deep for a TD last week. Safeties Santos Ramirez (19, 1 PBU) and Josh Liddell (14, 1 TFL, 1 PBU) will get more help from De’Andre Coley (8), who was ejected last week. Arkansas is No. 61 in passing yards allowed (224.3) and No. 36 in pass efficiency.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Special teams
The Braves are No. 5 in the FCS in kickoff return defense (13.3 on 11 returns), playing into an Arkansas weakness. Alcorn State is No. 9 in kickoff returns (27.3), led by Marquis Warford (37.6), who has a return TD. Punter Haiden McCraney averages 40 yards and has 5 of 50-plus yards and 8 inside the 20. McCraney has made a 46-yard FG. The Braves have 0 punt return yards on 5 returns.
Arkansas' Toby Baker is the No. 9 punter in the NCAA with a 46.1-yard average. The Hogs are also No. 9 in net punting (42.76). The kickoff return unit ranks No. 108 (17.78) and punt return is No. 86 (5.83). Jared Cornelius is averaging 8.5 yards per punt return. Cole Hedlund (3 of 4) made his only FG try last week.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Intangibles
The Braves would love to shock the college football world with a upset of a top 20 team. However, the reality is the Braves, winners of the past two SWAC titles, are ailing with key players limited or out. Coach Fred McNair knows his upcoming SWAC games have more importance, so it’s a wounded team — pride and otherwise — the Hogs face.
Arkansas Is smarting from its second mistake-ridden fourth quarter in Texas this season, and would like a dominating showing to boost its confidence before No. 1 Alabama comes to campus. The Razorbacks also would like to shake the lackluster showings they have put up at War Memorial Stadium. An FCS program with key players injured should fit the bill.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas