Hogs hoping for a little help against the pass
November, 3, 2009
Nov 3
10:46
AM ET
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Arkansas is hopeful of being back to full strength in the secondary this Saturday against South Carolina.
The Hogs could use the help, too, especially against a South Carolina team that loves throwing the ball down the field.
The Gamecocks are second in the SEC in passing offense and averaging 237 yards per game. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, are last in the SEC in just about every defensive category against the pass. They’re giving up 264.1 passing yards per game, which is 35 yards more than anybody else in the league.
They’re also last in the SEC in pass efficiency defense and have allowed 16 touchdown passes, which is the second most in the league to Georgia’s 17.
Freshman David Gordon started at one of the cornerback spots last week against Eastern Michigan, but Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is hopeful of getting junior Ramon Broadway back for this game after Broadway sat out last week with a hamstring injury. Junior cornerback Andru Stewart may also be back after landing in Petrino’s doghouse for academic reasons.
The Hogs, after playing better defensively the first part of October, were torched in their last SEC outing. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead passed for a career-high 332 yards, and Dexter McCluster had 100 yards both rushing and receiving.
Petrino hasn’t downplayed how important this game is for the Hogs (4-4, 1-4).
“We need to go out there and win the game,” Petrino said. “Much like the Texas A&M and Auburn games, it is a must win for us.”
Arkansas is hopeful of being back to full strength in the secondary this Saturday against South Carolina.
The Hogs could use the help, too, especially against a South Carolina team that loves throwing the ball down the field.
The Gamecocks are second in the SEC in passing offense and averaging 237 yards per game. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, are last in the SEC in just about every defensive category against the pass. They’re giving up 264.1 passing yards per game, which is 35 yards more than anybody else in the league.
They’re also last in the SEC in pass efficiency defense and have allowed 16 touchdown passes, which is the second most in the league to Georgia’s 17.
Freshman David Gordon started at one of the cornerback spots last week against Eastern Michigan, but Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is hopeful of getting junior Ramon Broadway back for this game after Broadway sat out last week with a hamstring injury. Junior cornerback Andru Stewart may also be back after landing in Petrino’s doghouse for academic reasons.
The Hogs, after playing better defensively the first part of October, were torched in their last SEC outing. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead passed for a career-high 332 yards, and Dexter McCluster had 100 yards both rushing and receiving.
Petrino hasn’t downplayed how important this game is for the Hogs (4-4, 1-4).
“We need to go out there and win the game,” Petrino said. “Much like the Texas A&M and Auburn games, it is a must win for us.”
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
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