Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Monday’s Arkansas football media availability…

I. New Look
Getting to and from Arkansas’ new practice space took a few extra minutes Monday. Getting acclimated to the elevated field might take a few days.

But the Razorbacks could immediately appreciate how much better the fields, part of a $40 million football ops project, are than their previous arrangements. Arkansas has more space than the area on the north side of the Walker Pavilion offered. These new digs are more private than the intramural fields and no tarp is needed to keep outsiders from sneaking a peek.

“It’s just a beautiful facility,” defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said. “We’re blessed to have it. Once we get the organization of it all cleaned up it’s going to be nice.”

Perhaps the only complaint was the heat coming off the turf. Players warmed up on the grass fields, and then moved onto the artificial surface — typically a few degrees warmer than the real stuff — for later in the afternoon.

Arkansas has been working in the preseason on the intramural fields. Construction on the football ops center is ongoing at the site of the previous practice space, which offered limited space in the end zones and not much room between the fields.

“I like them,” defensive tackle Alfred Davis said. “It’s different just because the turf is brand new, and it’s steaming hot out there when you got from a grass field to the turf. I think we’ll be fine, though."

II. Back In Action
Linebacker Alonzo Highsmith and safety Eric Bennett missed extended portions of preseason camp, but both participated in practice Monday. Linebacker Tenarius Wright could potentially join them in workouts Tuesday.

Getting all three starters back will be a boost for the defense.

“You know when you get the whole group out there, I think you’ll get a completely different atmosphere,” Caldwell said. “You not only miss them as players you miss them as leaders on the field.”

Dennis Johnson, who missed practices because of the death of his grandmother, was back on Monday.

III. No Worries
Kicker Zach Hocker missed four field goal attempts, including a 50-plus yarder during last week’s scrimmage. Caldwell, who is also special teams coordinator, wasn’t concerned.

In fact, Caldwell was busy working with the defense and didn’t see the misses. Caldwell was impressed with the way Hocker kicked during warmups.

“Hocker will be OK when it comes down to it,” Caldwell said.

Speaking Out
“We had spurts. We fought back. We didn’t just lay down, but we want to dominate from the beginning. We’re not doing that right now, so we need to climb that mountain and get to where we’re trying to go.”
—Defensive tackle/team captain Alfred Davis on how the defense performed in last week’s scrimmage