TAT: At Least 3 Hogs Expected to Return From Injuries This Week

This article originally appeared on September 9, 2013 on The Arkansas Traveler website, uatrav.com.

Despite playing a much closer game than expected, Arkansas came out of Little Rock with a 31-21 win and injury-free, head coach Bret Bielema said in his weekly press conference Monday.

No one was injured during the game against Samford, but several players did not play.

Defensively, the Razorbacks were without sophomore safety Rohan Gaines and junior defensive end Trey Flowers because of injuries, as well as senior linebacker Jarrett Lake because of disciplinary reasons.

These absences were felt by Arkansas’ defense because all three were vocal leaders for their positions.

“The bump in the road was so many new starters in the second game,” Bielema said. “You’d like a little more continuity.”

Bielema said that they would return to practice this week.

Sophomore wide receiver Keon Hatcher also missed the Samford game, after re-aggravating a hamstring injury against Louisiana. Along with senior tight end Austin Tate and sophomore linebacker Otha Peters, who have missed both games this season, Hatcher has a chance to play Saturday against Southern Miss.

On the field, Bielema said he was impressed with seniors Kiero Small and Robert Thomas.

Small carried the ball five times for 25 yards, but he was “off the charts” with his “blocking, sealing the game in the fourth quarter and what he does on the sidelines,” Bielema said.

Thomas had four tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

“Robert Thomas went nuts and did a nice job leading by verbal communication,” Bielema said. “I thought he’d win SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. The numbers he put up were pretty special.”

The way Arkansas has been running the ball has also pleased Bielema. For the second consecutive game, both true freshman Alex Collins and sophomore Jonathan Williams rushed for more than 100 yards. Collins gained 172 yards and a touchdown, while Williams picked up 126 yards and a touchdown.

“If you add their yardage totals together, there’s probably no way they’d get that if they played the whole game,” Bielema said. “The way they were able to sub in and keep fresh legs was very impressive.”

The Razorbacks return to Fayetteville to play Southern Miss Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 11:21 a.m. and will be televised on SEC TV.