One Step Forward, One Step Back for the Hog Defense
By: Adam Alter
Updated: November 4, 2012
In the first half Saturday, Tulsa played its game. The Golden Hurricane controlled the tempo with a steady run game and dominating time of possession.
"My notes to the defense (at halftime) were we (played) soft," head coach John L. Smith said after Arkansas' 19-15 win.
The Hogs got the message holding the Hurricane to just 22 second half rush yards and no touchdowns.
"Our strength is our front," defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said. "We challenged our front to make sure they do that this week. They stepped up and they did it."
"They got ripped a little bit at halftime and they came out the second half and responded," Smith added.
"Just be physical," senior linebacker Terrell Williams said. This is the game of football and physicality is the number one thing. We took that personal."
Even after the adjustment, the Razorback defense still needed to hold on down the stretch. After failing to do so in the last game, Arkansas made the winning stop.
"We always talk about finishing ever since I've been here," junior defensive end Chris Smith said. "We kind of challenged ourselves this week because last week we didn't finish like we wanted to."
The already thin linebacking core suffered another loss with Terrell Williams' arrest Sunday, putting even more pressure on the freshmen during the season closing gauntlet.
"I think they're getting better," Haynes said. "We've just got to make sure we continue to do the little things tight because that's what we're doing. Doing the little things right, continuing to get better and fighting and study. Do those things we're asking them to do."
"Our young guys did step up, Otha Peters and AJ Turner," Chris Smith said. "We've got to lead those guys on the way so they can help us in the long run."
"My notes to the defense (at halftime) were we (played) soft," head coach John L. Smith said after Arkansas' 19-15 win.
The Hogs got the message holding the Hurricane to just 22 second half rush yards and no touchdowns.
"Our strength is our front," defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said. "We challenged our front to make sure they do that this week. They stepped up and they did it."
"They got ripped a little bit at halftime and they came out the second half and responded," Smith added.
"Just be physical," senior linebacker Terrell Williams said. This is the game of football and physicality is the number one thing. We took that personal."
Even after the adjustment, the Razorback defense still needed to hold on down the stretch. After failing to do so in the last game, Arkansas made the winning stop.
"We always talk about finishing ever since I've been here," junior defensive end Chris Smith said. "We kind of challenged ourselves this week because last week we didn't finish like we wanted to."
The already thin linebacking core suffered another loss with Terrell Williams' arrest Sunday, putting even more pressure on the freshmen during the season closing gauntlet.
"I think they're getting better," Haynes said. "We've just got to make sure we continue to do the little things tight because that's what we're doing. Doing the little things right, continuing to get better and fighting and study. Do those things we're asking them to do."
"Our young guys did step up, Otha Peters and AJ Turner," Chris Smith said. "We've got to lead those guys on the way so they can help us in the long run."
