Will Defense Pass Troy Test?

By Robbie Neiswanger

Posted: November 14, 2009 at 2:45 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson prepared the Razorbacks for plenty of high-powered offenses this season.

It started with Georgia’s passing attack, which was led by receiver A.J. Green. Texas A&M’s spread cruised until it ran into Arkansas. So did Auburn. Ole Miss had success with its strong run game and South Carolina had plenty of powerful potential through the air with Stephen Garcia.

But Troy has had Robinson’s attention this week, too.

“They’re extremely, extremely explosive,” Robinson said.

Arkansas is searching for its sixth win, which would clinch its season-long goal of becoming bowl eligible, when it plays Troy in Razorback Stadium at 6:30 p.m. today. The Razorbacks (5-4) should complete that mission, but the onus will likely fall on the defense’s performance.

And it may have to do it without Robinson on the sideline, too.

The 53-year-old was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Friday morning and his status for today’s game is unknown. Arkansas spokesperson Kevin Trainor said Friday afternoon that Robinson was “alert and stable.”

With or without Robinson, Arkansas’ goal is to slow a high-powered attack capable of keeping pace with quarterback Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks’ offense. The Trojans (7-2) have ripped through opponents during their seven-game win streak and average 31.3 points and 315.9 passing yards.

The Trojans haven’t played a big-name program since suffering a 56-6 loss at Florida in September, but quarterback Levi Brown said Troy is hoping to put its offense on display against the Razorbacks.

“We only get two or three of these big games a year where we get to go and play an SEC school so we look forward to them,” Brown said.

“And we’re definitely looking forward to proving that’s not the real Troy Trojans that showed up in Gainesville.”

Arkansas doesn’t have to look far to understand what Troy’s offense is capable of accomplishing.

The Trojans frustrated former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt’s team in the 2007 season opener. Troy had no answer for Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, but its offense put together a 17-point second quarter to make the game much tighter than expected.

Troy couldn’t hold it together in the second half and lost 46-26. But the Trojans earned the respect of players who will see them again tonight.

“They’re a great university, a great football team,” said Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, who was a sophomore during the 2007 game. “They’re great every year. We know what’s expected.”

Arkansas, however, enters the game with plenty of confidence, too, after its second-half performance against South Carolina.

The Razorbacks struggled at times — like giving up an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second half — but buckled down to shut out the Gamecocks the rest of the afternoon.

“We knew our offense was playing a heck of the game already so we knew we had to hold our end of the rope,” safety Matt Harris said. “All the coaches and all the players looked at each other and said, ‘That was a big play but it’s not going to happen again. Let’s go win this game.’”

Harris said it will take the same type of determination against Brown and the Trojans. Brown has been flawless in operating Troy’s four- and five-wide receiver sets, throwing for 2,777 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. The senior hasn’t thrown an interception in 258 attempts.

Harris said it doesn’t matter how much the Trojans struggled in their last game against an SEC opponent. He said Troy has Arkansas’ attention.

“We're not going to take a team lightly,” Harris said. “We're going to go out there and prepare like it’s our last game."

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