TAT: Smith Shifts Focus to the Crimson Tide

This article originally appeared on the front page of the September 11, 2012 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

     The day following a disappointing 34-31 overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock, UA interim head coach John L. Smith had a meeting with the team.

     “Obviously, we are disappointed,” Smith said. “We went through the things we have to do to get better and talked about them as a team. If you get knocked down, you have to get back up.”

     Arkansas starting quarterback Tyler Wilson missed the entire second half against ULM Saturday with an “above the shoulders” injury. He stayed overnight in Little Rock but was back in Fayetteville for Sunday’s team meeting and is day-to-day.

     “He still has some symptoms,” Smith said. “He will not go to the field until the doctors OK him and he is symptom-free.”

     Redshirt freshman Brandon Allen and junior Brandon Mitchell will take reps at quarterback this week in case Wilson can’t play. The decision as to which player gets the nod in that situation will be made “as we go along this week,” Smith said.

     Sophomore cornerback Tevin Mitchel had to be carted off the field on Saturday and stayed in Little Rock two nights while being observed by doctors. He returned to Fayetteville Monday and will not play this week.

     “He will meet with specialists here and discuss their findings,” Smith said. “Everything we got from the scans was very positive from the standpoint that nothing is wrong.”

     Smith expects seniors Kaelon Kelleybrew and Darius Winston as well as freshman Will Hines to rotate at corner.

     Finally, redshirt freshman fullback Kody Walker will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg in Saturday’s game. This injury comes just days after starting fullback Kiero Small broke his foot. Small will miss 6-12 weeks, Smith said.

     “The rest (of the injuries) are just bumps and bruises,” Smith said. “Kelleybrew got a little banged up, but he should be back.”

     With the ULM loss behind them, Smith said the team’s focus is now on No. 1 Alabama.

     “As we all know, they’re a very, very, very good football team,” Smith said. “We have to do a great job of preparation this week.”

     Senior tight end Chris Gragg echoed Smith’s feelings.

     “Now we’re just focused on getting better and getting ready for the SEC opener against Alabama,” Gragg said. “It’s a big game for us. We still feel like we’re a top 10 team.”

     Alabama will be Arkansas’ biggest challenge yet and the key to beating them is “doing the little things right. Alignment, assignment, and discipline” in all aspects of the game are important, Smith said.

     The Crimson Tide are “big and physical and aren’t going to give you much,” Smith said.

     “They’re a really sound football team,” senior safety Ross Rasner said. “We have to make sure we do everything right.”

     The ULM loss aside, a larger crowd is still expected Saturday.

     “(The players) deserve your support,” Smith said. “You supported this team in the past, so continue to support us.”

     “Everyone is going to be watching the game and it’s going to be a battle,” Rasner said. “We’re excited to play in front of a full house.”