TAT: Bielema Sees Improvement Despite Loss

This article originally appeared on November 4, 2013 on The Arkansas Traveler website, uatrav.com.

Despite suffering its sixth consecutive loss Saturday, the Arkansas football team improved in several areas, head coach Bret Bielema said in his weekly Monday press conference.

Bielema said that the team threw and caught the ball as well as they had in Southeastern Conference play this season in its 35-17 loss to No. 11 Auburn.

He also said the team improved on its tackling and ran the ball well. However, he said he was not happy with Arkansas’ three turnovers and two trips into the red zone that did not result in scores.

Both of those areas will be “major points of emphasis” during practice this week, Bielema said.

Injury wise, the Razorbacks got out of the game healthy, although sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen suffered a leg injury on Arkansas’ first drive.

Allen was carted off the field and had to receive staples in his leg to close an open wound. He missed eight offensive plays before coming back into the game.

“That gash was pretty deep and he was a little sore on Sunday,” Bielema said. “Brandon is a very tough kid.”

Bielema said that Allen would be able to practice Tuesday, and no other players would miss any practice time either.

During the game, the Razorbacks played a slightly different personnel group. Most notably, freshman Brooks Ellis started at middle linebacker. It was the first start of his career and he is the fourth different player to start at that position.

While his first start was against the Tigers’ potent offense, Bielema thought the defense played well under his leadership.

“That was by far our best game, as of late, to line up and get people in the right position,” Bielema said. “They had some motions that we adjusted to really well.”

Before the Auburn game, Bielema said he hoped to work sophomore wide receiver D’Arthur Cowan more into the game plan as a receiver and punt returner, but he only caught one pass and didn’t return any punts.

Bielema said the reason for that was because Cowan did not have a good practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he hopes to get the Olive Branch, Miss., native involved more Saturday.

Arkansas’ next opponent, Ole Miss, runs a similar offense as some of the teams the Razorbacks have already faced, but they are still unique, Bielema said.

The Rebels’ offense is led by junior quarterback Bo Wallace, who has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,976 yards. He also has 11 touchdown passes to only three interceptions.

“When (Wallace) gets in a rhythm, they’re a good football team,” Bielema said. “Their group of receivers has size and an ability to stretch the field vertically.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 11:21 a.m. in Oxford, Miss., and the game will air nationally on SEC TV.