Hogs’ killer instinct still needs work

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema knew the middle of the Razorbacks schedule would be tough, but he has taken an upbeat approach to this week’s game against South Carolina.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema knew the middle of the Razorbacks schedule would be tough, but he has taken an upbeat approach to this week’s game against South Carolina.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE - It took the third consecutive defeat to do it, but Bret Bielema became envious.

Bielema doesn’t seem at all envious of another school or another locale. Since he took the Arkansas job last December, the former Wisconsin football coach has talked up the University of Arkansas and the state of Arkansas and the Razorbacks bonding them like a one-man Arkansas Chamber of Commerce.

But when it comes to the Florida Gators’ fourth-quarter mind-set, well, Bielema seems downright envious. He envies Florida flaunting what he extolled at Wisconsin but doesn’t have yet at Arkansas, that killer instinct that gives no quarter in the fourth quarter.

Leading 30-10, the No. 18 Gators already had the victory wrapped up Saturday even with Arkansas driving late in the fourth quarter.

Even though they had every reason to coast, Bielema watched the Gators refuel with zealous desire to overcome what the Razorbacks merely wanted.

After Arkansas had first-and goal at the 5, Florida stopped the Hogs on fourth down and ran the clock out.

“They were not going to let us in the end zone,” Bielema said.

“They had their starters in there and their intensity got ratcheted up.

Of course we’re trying to get in, but they were not going to let us in the end zone.

“To me, there was a difference in where the programs were at right there.”

Expect the Hogs to hear about that difference from now into the 2014 season.

“It will be a point of emphasis in the off season,” Bielema said. “You have a great defense who wants to hold on to that 30-10 vs. a 30-17 win.

It meant everything to them. You could see it.”

It’s the difference between want and must that his Razorbacks (3-3, 0-2 SEC) still must learn and still develop to achieve.

“Overall I can’t fault their effort,” Bielema said. “I can’t fault their practice habits. It’s the detail of finishing, the detail of your technique, the detail of your call, your alignment, your responsibility. When you get tired, those details have a tendency to fade. You’re focusing on surviving.”

The “big boy football” that Bielema preached would be Arkansas’ mantra isn’t about just surviving but thriving in the fourth quarter.

The Hogs he inherited haven’t been up to the SEC big boys yet, but they are trying, Bielema said.

CHURCH AND STATE

Mixing church and state has sometimes veered mankind into major problems, but the recent passing of Rev. Andrew Hall brings a smile about Arkansas’ religious fervor for its Razorbacks.

Rev. Hall, whose son, Grant, is a retired longtime Arkansas sportswriter and still active as a morning sports talk radio host, mixed God and the Razorbacks on the First Baptist Church marquee in Fayetteville during game week back in 1965 when Frank Broyles’ undefeated Razorbacks would go on to beat Texas 27-24 at Razorback Stadium.

The First Baptist marquee read:

Football is only a game,

God is eternal,

Nevertheless, beat Texas

Razorback icons Broyles, Nolan Richardson and Harold Horton were among the mourners at Rev. Hall’s funeral.

Sports, Pages 16 on 10/09/2013