FAYETTEVILLE — Torched by quarterback Joe Cox and a fleet of Georgia receivers in last Saturday's 52-41 loss, the Arkansas pass defense has had to get back to the drawing board and the teaching field as it prepares for a difficult SEC stretch, starting Saturday at No. 3 Alabama.
Touted as more experienced and vastly improved from last season, the Razorbacks failed to get pressure on Cox and he picked them apart with 18 of 26 passing for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Razorbacks fell to 90th in the country in pass defense, allowing 249 yards per game.
"We did some bad things," Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. "We weren't good at some of our passes and two-deep things that we could have played better.
"Maybe I should have shown that right one or two more times to make sure they had it."
Besides blowing assignments that left receivers open, the Arkansas defensive backs also struggled to make plays even when they were in position to get their hands on balls.
"Everything about the game is eyes," Robinson said after the game. "And what you do with your eyes, your feet are going to follow, and there's technique involved it in."
Cornerbacks Ramon Broadway and Greg Gatson were beaten deep for touchdowns and all the defensive backs had their struggles, as Cox completed nine passes of 20 or more yards.
"This past week, I took full blame for it," Broadway said. "I'm not the type of guy that points fingers."
The play-action pass hurt the Razorbacks against Georgia, so it has been a huge part of practice this week.
"What helps you with play-action is definitely being disciplined with your eyes," Broadway said. "That's what Coach Robinson is trying to make sure we focus on this week is focusing on your keys, because one blink and things can be different."
Arkansas is allowing 16.06 yards per completion this season, which ranks 117th out of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
"They found some mismatches, did a nice job of that," Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said of Georgia's offense.
"Third downs, you know we've got to get more pressure on him, and we have to get a little tighter coverage.He did a nice job there at times recognizing where our coverage was and finding the one-on-one when [Michael Moore] made those plays."
Arkansas defensive backs spoke Wednesday as if a quick turnaround was imminent in pass coverage.
"There might have been 10 people doing their job, but one person had a mistake, a mental error, and it got exposed for a 65-yard touchdown," safety Matt Harris said. "This week we're going to fix those mental errors and play 11 football.
"You can't stay down. You get kicked down and you've got to get back up."
Sports, Pages 19, 24 on 09/24/2009