Defense set for Auburn to air it out

Saturday, October 6, 2012

— Auburn has a dysfunctional passing game, ranked No. 114 in the country with 145 yards per game through the air behind inconsistent quarterback Kiehl Frazier of Springdale.

But Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said he expects the Tigers to try the airways repeatedly in today’s 11 a.m. game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Haynes, asked if Auburn’s struggles through the air might favor the Razorbacks’ defense, replied, “You know what, I do. But again, what do you think they’re going to do? They’re going to come in here and throw the ball around. You know, I would too.”

Haynes said he knows the problems that have befallen an Arkansas back seven through the course of its disappointing 1-4 start.

The Razorbacks were thin in numbers and experience to begin the season and they have fallen victim to a wave of injuries and a series of teams that have exploited them through the air.

Arkansas brings the No. 117 pass defense into the game, having allowed 349 yards per game through the air, including 397 yards to previously unheralded Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova.

Three rookies are likely to start today in the Hogs’ secondary - true freshman Will Hines and redshirt freshman Davyon McKinney at cornerback and redshirt Rohan Gaines at one safety spot.

The other starter is likely to be redshirt sophomore Alan Turner, whose first career start came last week at Texas A&M. Junior Eric Bennett, who has been battling a hamstring since fall camp, is expected to play.

All four projected starters have been victimized in recent weeks by long pass plays for touchdowns and other assorted big yardage in the air.

The corners have solid credentials as athletes and they’re willing hitters, but they’re having to learn on the fly in a conference that has produced the past six BCS National champions.

“Those guys ... have had a great week of practice,” Haynes said of Hines and McKinney.“I was real pleased with how they prepared. They’re fighters. They were very, very aggressive in practice. That was good to see.”

Seniors Kaelon Kelleybrew, who was injured last week against Texas A&M, and Darius Winston, are expected to back up Hines and McKinney.

Defensive end Chris Smith said he was the recipient of a big hit by McKinney in practice this week that resulted in a takeaway, which have been few and far between in games for the Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks have two takeaways on the year, and they have not registered a turnover in more than 13 quarters, since safety Ross Rasner’s interception early in the third quarter of a 34-31 overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe that started Arkansas’ four-game spiral.

Frazier has been fumble prone and he’s thrown seven interceptions, but an off week with an extensive look at the Arkansas defense should have the sophomore confident.

“He came out here last year and made some plays against us,” Arkansas linebacker Alonzo Highsmith said. “We know that we have to slow him down. We can’t let him get going.”

Frazier had a first-half touchdown run in the Tigers’ 38-14 loss in Fayetteville last season, but he also threw two interceptions.

Given Arkansas’ struggles against running quarterbacks this season, including a 104-yard rushing effort by Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel last week, the Tigers might get Frazier more on the run.

“I wouldn’t say he’s as mobile as the guy we saw last week, but he will run,” Smith said. “We’ve got to keep pressure on him and affect him.”

Sports, Pages 19 on 10/06/2012