Harris: Hogs brimming with confidence

Posted: September 10, 2009 at 6:57 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — It wasn't just how they practiced but what they practiced that made Matt Harris know these 2009 Razorbacks are better than last year's 5-7 team.

What they practiced on occasions while prepping for last Saturday's 48-10 season-opening rout of Missouri State concerned their next game, the Sept. 19 SEC opener against Georgia in Fayetteville.

"We took two or three days," Arkansas senior free safety Harris said after Wednesday's practice, " where we did work on some things that Georgia is going to do and then kind of switch it up and say this is what we are going to run against Missouri State. So they mixed it up with some defenses we didn't run last week."

Would last year's Hogsin their first season under head coach Bobby Petrino dared do that?

Harris shook his head, shuddering at memories of the 2008 Hogs eking by nonconference no-names Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe.

"Oh, no," Harris said. "Last year we were way too young and way too immature. We didn't know how to handle Western Illinois much less a next week Georgia type game."

So the Georgia time not only gave the Hogs a head start on Georgia but boosted their confidence, too.

"That's a credit to this team," Harris said, "and this coaching staff thatthey have a lot of faith and trust in us right now."

Harris said the faith and trust was tangible in the pre-game locker room last Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

"The main difference is our confidence," Harris said. "In the locker room before Missouri State, you could feel the buzz. Everyone had that positive attitude that we knew we were going to win. Western Illinois last year, we were worried what if this happens? We were worried about checks ... we were worried and concerned if we were going to mess up. We are not worried about that now. We are ready to rock."

The maturity of which Harris spoke gets tested this week with the lone bye week of the season. Teams much prefer a bye week later in the year torest from the grind rather than stop momentum after a game, so the Hogs have tried to approach it differently.

"I think it's good," Arkansas senior defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said, "to have two weeks to get ready for a team like Georgia. You probably wouldn't normally want it this early but getting ready for a team like Georgia is definitely useful."

It's especially useful to Sheppard, a native of Bainbridge, Ga. playing his home state's university for the first time in his last UA year.

"It means a lot," Sheppard said. "I graduated with two [linebackers Daryl Gamble and Nick Williams] who play linebacker for the University of Georgia. Everybody from my hometown is going to be tuned in."

Starting offensive guard Grant Cook, injuredduring the Missouri State game, was dressed out for Wednesday's practice though it appeared Wade Grayson of Harrison began the practice at first-team guard.

Backup defensive end Damario Ambrose, also injured during the Missouri State game, was dressed out Wednesday and practiced some, defensive coordinator Willy Robinson confirmed.

Starting field cornerback Ramon Broadway practiced Wednesday despite wearing a protective cast on an injured thumb.

Junior college transfer cornerback Rudell Crim impressed the staff with his debut start against Missouri State.

"I thought he graded out real well," Robinson, both the defensive coordinator and secondary coach, said.

"Technique wise, effort wise, tackling wise - the whole nine yards."

Robinson was asked about true freshman cornerbacks David Gordon and Darius Winston of West Helena. Both played against Missouri State so they won't redshirt.

"David did a great job on his assignments," Robinson said, "he really did. Now, his technique is a little not where it needs to be, but he did a nice job on his assignment. I liked the big hit on the sideline in the fourth quarter. He walloped that kid pretty good. I thought Darius did a nice job when he came in at the end of the game. He did some nice things as well. I appreciate both their efforts."

The Razorbacks complete their bye week practices today and then break for the weekend while the coaches go recruiting.

Sports, Pages 8 on 09/10/2009

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