Razorbacks report

Hogs ready to face two Auburn QBs

Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall is pressured by Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers during the third quarter of their game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall is pressured by Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers during the third quarter of their game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and his players aren't making a big deal about Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn's announcement that quarterback Nick Marshall and cornerback Jonathan Mincy won't start the season opener for disciplinary reasons.

Both of the senior are expected to play against the Razorbacks on Aug. 30 in Auburn, Ala.

Sophomore Jeremy Johnson is the projected starter in Marshall's place.

"However long [Marshall] stays on the sideline is obviously in their coaches' hands, but I think when we're playing Auburn, if you're a true competitor, you want to play against the best," Bielema said Monday. "And I tell you what, that other guy is going to step in and he is a tremendous player."

Johnson played in six games last season, including starts against Western Carolina and Florida Atlantic, and he completed 27 of 37 passes for 393 yards and 6 touchdowns.

"A tremendous talent," Bielema said. "It is what it is, and move forward."

Defensive end DeMarcus Hodge said Arkansas' game plan won't change.

"We're going to base it off Nick ... and if this new guy comes in, we're going to play our defense," Hodge said. "We're going to play what we know to play. We're going to swarm to the ball every play."

Offensive tackle Brey Cook said Auburn, ranked No. 5 in the coaches preseason poll, has good players at every position.

"It doesn't matter who's out there," Cook said. "They're all wearing the same jersey, and that's not red and white. We're ready to go out there and focus on Auburn these next couple of weeks."

Injury update

Cornerback Tevin Mitchel was limited in Monday's practice, as expected, as he continued to rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, and defensive end Mitchell Loewen is also being closely monitored in his return from knee surgery.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said Mitchel wore a green (injury) jersey but still took a lot of reps with the first defensive unit in the noncontact work. Jared Collins, Carroll Washington and D.J. Dean also worked at the first-team cornerback spots.

Loewen is limited in practice, Bielema said, as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

"But he looks extremely big and physical," Bielema said. "His presence could really help us in a certain way out there as soon as possible."

Spot shift

Arkansas players who are known to be manning new positions from where they ended last season include offensive tackle Dan Skipper (formerly at OG), fullback Kody Walker (combo back), offensive tackle Grady Ollison (OG), tight end AJ Derby (QB), defensive end Mitchell Loewen (TE), linebacker TQ Coleman (safety), receiver Damon Mitchell (QB) and defensive tackle Cordale Boyd (OL).

Murphy lands

Former Arkansas cornerback signee Chris Murphy will be transferring to Cincinnati, according to CBSSports.com. Murphy decided to leave the Razorbacks after enrolling in January and going through spring practices, after which he was listed at third team on the depth chart.

CBSSports.com reported Murphy is expected to enroll next week at Cincinnati, which is coached by Camden native Tommy Tuberville. Ex-Razorback receiver Mekale McKay transferred to the Bearcats last year and caught 16 passes for 485 yards and 7 touchdowns and averaged 30.3 yards per catch.

Quick help

Senior lineman Cameron Jefferson and junior linebacker Josh Williams could be on the fast track to playing time, Bret Bielema said.

"They're two guys who I think can step in and help us in a big way early on," Bielema said.

Jefferson took reps at left guard in Monday's opening practice, while Williams appears targeted for middle linebacker.

Bielema added he would not be afraid to play freshmen offensive linemen and that Frank Ragnow and Brian Wallace are strong candidates to do it this season.

New cut

Freshman kicker Cole Hedlund has gotten his head partially shaved, with his hair forming a forward-pointing arrow.

Video of Hedlund having his hair shaved was posted on Twitter by deep snapper Alan D'Appollonio.

"I had a heart attack when I saw him come out and I said, 'We don't do hazing,' " Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. "And Cole's like 'Oh no, coach, I wanted to do it.' "

Bielema said Hedlund was "extremely youthful looking" before the haircut and looks younger now.

"Should tape some of that hair to his chin and let him have a beard for the first time," Bielema said.

Hedlund's haircut came after Washington Redskins rookie kicker Zach Hocker, a former Razorback, had his head shaved by the team's veterans.

Worth noting

• Bret Bielema said there were only two mishandled center-quarterback exchanges Monday, one each from centers Mitch Smothers and Frank Ragnow.

• Offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola is "a little bit heavy" Bielema said, after reporting to the team last weekend. Tretola is working at guard.

• Bielema said receiver Demetrius Wilson had gained weight up to 200 pounds, then dropped back to 187 and now the staff would like to "put some extra meals in him."

Sports on 08/05/2014

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