Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

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

I. Getting A Handle On It
Knile Davis showed some promise with the way he performed in the first half against Texas A&M. He had 124 of his 129 total yards before halftime, including a 64-yard touchdown off a screen pass.

But Davis also provided cause for concern with the way he held onto the football.

Davis committed his fifth, sixth and seventh fumbles of the season at A&M. He’s lost three in 2012 and is now averaging a fumble every 12.4 touches.

Following the Texas A&M game, Davis said that teams are trying to knock the ball away from him. Opponents have taken note of how careless he’s been.

“That’s what all teams are trying to do, trying to get a turnover,” Davis said “They succeeded a few times. I’m just trying to get better at that.”

Davis fumbled four times against Alabama, losing two. He fumbled three times against the Aggies, losing one. Both games were played in rainy conditions, though the primary culprit seemed to be poor security.

Coach John L. Smith said the team’s emphasis on not turning the ball over might have backfired. Now players are thinking more about mistakes than they should be.

"We’ll continue to work on it, but there comes a point where everybody starts, you become paranoid about ‘I can’t fumble the ball.’ And what’s the first thing you do? You fumble the ball,” Smith said. 

II. Injury Update
Tight end Chris Gragg, safety Eric Bennett and cornerbacks Tevin Mitchell and Kaelon Kelleybrew are not yet cleared for Saturday’s game with Auburn.

Gragg (bone bruise) and Bennett (leg) missed last week’s game against the Aggies. Mitchell has been out since a hard hit against ULM and is continuing to recover from gall bladder surgery. Kelleybrew suffered a possible concussion in the first half against Texas A&M.

“We’re optimistic, but we’ll have to wait and see,” Smith said.