Razorabcks Report

Linemen looking for a rush

Arkansas offensive tackle Dan Skipper plays in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Nicholls in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Sarah Bentham)
Arkansas offensive tackle Dan Skipper plays in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Nicholls in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Sarah Bentham)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Linemen at Arkansas have embraced Bret Bielema's philosophy of building from the trenches out, as evidenced by the Razorbacks' 400-plus rushing yards in consecutive games.

"That's something we've had ground into us," sophomore offensive tackle Dan Skipper said Tuesday. "Everything we do is going to be won up front. That's in the strength staff and Coach Pittman and Coach [Bielema].

"Everything we do is about being physically superior. We go in the weight room all winter and all summer and get as big and strong and fast as we can. We're going to go out there and showcase it."

Korliss clear?

Running back Korliss Marshall was limited to five carries last week at Texas Tech, partly because of a couple of fumbles, but he might figure more prominently in the game plan for Northern Illinois.

Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said Marshall had a solid week of practice and understands the emphasis placed on ball security.

"We've got to do what we can to help Korliss put himself in position to be successful, and he's got to work his hind end off to clear up that mistake," Chaney said. "I feel like he's done that this week."

Helping out

Laurie Skodenski, who is battling congestive heart failure and includes attending an Arkansas football game among her wishes, will be the guest of Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema for Saturday's Arkansas-Northern Illinois game.

Skodenski, 31, was born with a heart condition and was not expected to live past 10. She has undergone several operations. She will attend the game with her family and some friends.

"Her story and what she's battled through her whole life ... it told me we're dealing with a fighter," Bielema said Thursday during Overtime, a sports-talk radio show on the KABZ-FM, 103.7, The Buzz, in Little Rock. "Anything we can do to help her is really special to our heart."

Bielema said he planned share Skodenski's story with his players at a team meeting Thursday night.

"We're going to try to do everything we can to make it a great weekend," Bielema said.

Linebacker play

Defensive coordinator Robb Smith said Thursday that freshman linebacker Randy Ramsey, who didn't travel to Texas Tech last week because of an ankle injury, is expected to be in the rotation Saturday.

Smith indicated Braylon Mitchell, Daunte Carr, Ramsey and freshman Dwayne Eugene would likely take the field along with starters Martrell Spaight and Brooks Ellis against Northern Illinois' up-tempo offense.

"We're going to roll some guys through there," Smith said. "If they're going to up-tempo us, we've got to have fresh guys out there ready to go."

Shoulder check

Brandon Allen said he has no second thoughts about tucking the ball and scrambling with the sprained AC joint in his shoulder healed.

"I have no problem at all this year with worrying about my shoulder," said Allen, who had a 21-yard scramble to set up a touchdown and a 5-yard touchdown scramble to give the Razorbacks a 35-21 lead in the fourth quarter at Texas Tech. "I know I can make a few plays with my feet. Not that often, but when I have to I can make them, and I was able to do a little something [on Saturday]."

Third-down threat

Northern Illinois is converting third-down plays at 62 percent, the third-best conversion ratio in the country behind No. 1 Auburn (67.9 percent) and Georgia Tech (63.9 percent). Arkansas is ranked No. 42 at 46.4 percent.

Takeaway plus

Arkansas won the turnover battle 3-2 over Texas Tech to improve to plus 1 in turnover margin on the season.

Martrell Spaight and Henre' Toliver intercepted their first passes, and Taiwan Johnson's fumble recovery on a ball stripped from receiver Jakeem Grant by linebacker Brooks Ellis gave the Razorbacks their three takeaways, which led to 14 points.

The Razorbacks are on the plus side of the turnover ledger for the first time since opening 2013 with a 3-2 edge over Louisiana-Lafayette.

Sam knows Huskies

Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman held the same position during two stints at Northern Illinois (1994-1995 and 2003-2006).

The Huskies were 7-15 in Pittman's first go-around, 33-16 in the second.

"One of the best things I've ever done in my coaching career was go back to Northern Illinois in 2003 and work for Joe Novak," Pittman said. "We won 10 games and beat Alabama and Maryland."

Northern Illinois Coach Rod Carey, who came up through the ranks as an offensive line coach, has worked at coaching clinics with Pittman.

"I learned a lot from him," Carey said. "It's not like we're great friends, but I have a ton of respect for him. He's one of the finest in the country. There are probably a handful of guys you know by name that coach the O-line, and he's one of them."

Saturday honorees

Former Arkansas interior lineman Kenny Sandlin will serve as the A Club honorary captain Saturday. Sandlin, of Van Buren, was a team captain and second-team All-SEC player in 2001 and lettered for the Razorbacks from 1998-2001 as Arkansas notched 30 victories.

Fort Smith natives Sam and Susan Fiori will participate in the "A" walk of honor Saturday. The Fioris are Broyles-Matthews members of the Razorback Foundation and recently made a financial commitment to the UA's Basketball Performance Center, a 66,000-square-foot facility across from Walton Arena.

Extra points

• Arkansas running back Alex Collins was selected as the Maxwell Award player of the week following his 212-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance at Texas Tech. Collins is also the reigning SEC offensive player of the week.

• Northern Illinois will receive a game guarantee of $950,000 for Saturday's game at Arkansas, according to the DeKalb Daily Chronicle.

• Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers is one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award, which is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award recognizes seniors for their work in the community and the classroom as well as for their character and competition. Flowers, of Huntsville, Ala., is on schedule to graduate in December with a degree in economics.

Sports on 09/19/2014

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