Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Wednesday’s Arkansas football press conference… 

I. Eye Catching
New Mexico’s quarterback was sacked nine times last weekend. That statistic was the first thing Arkansas defensive players noticed about this week's opponent. How could it not be?

Colorado State had nine sacks against New Mexico in a 14-10 victory. That's the kind of sack total (the NCAA official site lists the total of sacks allowed at 10) that has defensive players licking their chops.

“When we first heard it, when we came back to meetings, everybody just kind of looked around at each other and were like, ‘OK. Let’s go,’” linebacker Nelson said. “We’re going to try to outdo what the other team did last week.”

 An assortment of problems led to the high sack total, including bad production on first and second down.

“We were in third and extra long which is 11 and plus (yards) to us seven times.  Those are opportunities the defense has the chance to pin their ears back and go,” New Mexico Coach Mike Locksley said. “That means we’ve got to do a better job on first down and keeping it into manageable third and medium situations.”

II. ‘Up And Rising’
Coaches projected Lonnie Gosha as a candidate for playing time when they signed him as part of the 2011 recruiting class. A left ankle injury during fall camp seemed to put that timetable in question for the talented defensive lineman.

Gosha managed to find the field Saturday against Missouri State. He added depth to the defensive line and could see his role and production increase as the season progresses.

Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said coaches like what they have in Gosha, who will play end and tackle for the Razorbacks.

“Lonnie is really a guy that’s an up and rising kid,” Robinson said. “It was unfortunate that he got hurt during camp, because if he hadn’t he’d probably be within the rotation even sooner, just because he’s such a talented young guy.”

Gosha has strides to make in the weightroom and is still trying to grasp the playbook. Even so, Robinson praised Gosha for his “game strength” and said, “Somewhere down the line he’s going to help us.”

III. Good Effort
Arkansas forced Missouri State into six three-and-outs and an interception.

It wasn’t a perfect game for the defense. Not all the unit’s goals were hit, but it was enough to draw praise from defensive coordinator Willy Robinson.

“We didn’t fill up our [goals] board. I mean, we hit the ones that were really important, stopping the run, you know,” Robinson said. “We gave up, the only long play we gave up was the great play, the great pass, the great catch. I thought our first group played extremely dominating.

“We’re very, very proud of those guys and really, into the fourth quarter, those second guys really bristled up and showed some backbone and didn’t let them score.”

Speaking Out
“It’s kind of funny how the Little Rock trip is like our longest road trip of the year. But we enjoy playing there. I’m kind of biased. That was my high school stadium. I’m from Little Rock, obviously. We haven’t lost down there since I’ve been a Razorback and that’s something we don’t’ plan on doing.”
—Defensive end Jake Bequette, a Little Rock native, on playing in his hometown. Arkansas hosts New Mexico in War Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m.