FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said he has given junior center Frank Ragnow 100 percent latitude on when he rejoins the team after the death of his father late Saturday.
Bielema indicated on Wednesday's SEC teleconference that Ragnow has said he could be back in town as early as today or possibly Friday.
Bielema, with the help of Little Rock businessman Warren Stephens, arranged to have a plane fly Ragnow home to Victoria, Minn., late Saturday night, which is acceptable by NCAA rules because of the circumstances. Bielema and his wife, Jen, accompanied Ragnow to Minnesota and returned to Northwest Arkansas during the early morning hours on Sunday.
Jon Ragnow died after suffering a heart attack late Saturday. His funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Westwood Community Church in Excelsior, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis.
Bielema said he has stayed in contact with Ragnow every day through social media and texting, and Ragnow has tried to keep an eye on the Arkansas game plan as he consoles his mother, Marty, and grieves with his family.
"He did ask us earlier in the week to try to do whatever we could to keep him involved in the game plan," Bielema said. "We've sent those to him I think about every day.
"I think his intent is to get back here Thursday or Friday. We've talked about the possibility of his family getting here, but I think those are all things that are probably going to get worked out in the next 24 hours.
"We'd love to have him with us and obviously understand if he's not. He's got bigger things to worry about than Bama right now."
Ragnow posted a tribute to his father on his Instagram account this week, and he expressed thanks to well-wishers.
"Thank you to everyone who has reached out to our family," Ragnow wrote on his Twitter account. "My dad had so many people who loved him and I'm so thankful to have him as a dad."
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper said he and his teammates are trying to walk a fine line between giving Ragnow space to deal with his loss and communicating their support.
"We fully support him and love him," Skipper said. "Whenever he comes back, we'll be here with open arms, because he's a huge part of our team and our room. He's one of my best friends and someone that we support no matter what."
Payback?
Senior receiver Drew Morgan, asked about the environment he expected to be in Saturday, said Reynolds Razorback Stadium "is top 10 easily. Easily in the top 5 loudest stadiums I've ever been in.
"And it's going to be rocking, even because [Alabama] is here, and the last time they were here it was 14-13, so I think we've got a little payback to do."
Visits
Former Arkansas quarterback Joe Ferguson was on campus this week, visiting with the football team Tuesday.
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos posted a picture with Ferguson on his Twitter account, writing "Great to have Arkansas QB great Joe Ferguson visit today! #Legend."
Blocking help
Dan Skipper, who notched the seventh blocked field goal of his career last week, deferred the credit to teammates Deatrich Wise and Austin Capps.
"Blocking kicks is more about the guys around me than me," the 6-10 senior said. "They're giving me all this, but really it's Capps and Deatrich. They're the guys that do all the work. I just go up. Get off on the snap and 1-2-3 and get up. It's all about those guys pushing."
Kyler tribute
The Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club announced it was naming its high school player of the week award after Kyler Williams, the Springdale High standout receiver who died in a car wreck Sept. 24.
Bo Mattingly, president of the club, made the announcement during Wednesday's meeting. The club also played a video tribute to Williams, and his father, Rodney, spoke to the club.
Sports on 10/06/2016