Razorbacks Report

Spaight relieved Ellis OK

Arkansas linebackers Brooks Ellis, left, and Martrell Spaight celebrate during a game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
Arkansas linebackers Brooks Ellis, left, and Martrell Spaight celebrate during a game Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Martrell Spaight was relieved that fellow linebacker Brooks Ellis was ready to practice this week.

A glancing shot from Spaight on Ellis' helmet, after Ellis had made an initial stop on Northern Illinois quarterback Drew Hare, sent the sophomore middle linebacker out during the first half of last week's 52-14 Arkansas victory.

Ellis was held out of some drills Tuesday, Coach Bret Bielema said, but he was cleared for full participation Wednesday after passing concussion protocol.

"I went and watched the film and I still couldn't see where I hit him at, but he told me I hit him," Spaight said. "I was trying to hit the quarterback. I apologized to my brother."

Spaight and Ellis have forged a strong bond as the two linebackers with the highest snap counts as the Razorbacks have played a series of Spread teams that typically add a defensive back and subtract a linebacker.

Spaight said the communication between he and Ellis has allowed the pair to play faster and be more effective this season after a learning period last year, but Spaight admitted that he didn't realize what had happened immediately after the play that injured Ellis.

"He just looked at me like, 'Spaight, come on, man,' " Spaight said. "I'm like, 'What happened?' He said, 'You hit me.' I was just like, 'I did?'

"I really don't realize things after the play's done."

Right track

Bret Bielema said on the SEC coaches teleconference that the Razorbacks are nearing his vision of what the offense needs to look like.

"We're probably still another recruiting class away offensive line wise -- maybe depth at fullback and tight end and wide receiver -- to get to where we need to be at operating as efficiently as I'd like," Bielema said. "But we're definitely stepping in the right direction."

Johnny's plan

The Cleveland Browns have an open date Sunday, so reserve quarterback Johnny Manziel -- a former Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M -- has some time on his hands this weekend.

Browns quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains, a former Arkansas Razorback, has an idea what Manziel will be doing.

"I think that he'll probably go watch the Aggies get beat by the Razorbacks," Loggains told ESPN.com, referring to Saturday's game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Loggains is also headed to Dallas to see his family, according to ESPN.com.

Manziel was a redshirt during the last Arkansas-Texas A&M game in the home of the Dallas Cowboys, a 42-38 come-from-behind victory by the Hogs in 2011. Manziel led the Aggies to 58-10 and 45-33 victories over Arkansas in 2012 and 2013.

Inside club

Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman explained why Texas A&M freshman end Myles Garrett has racked up 5 1/2 sacks to lead the SEC and rank third nationally.

"He's got a great inside club move," Pittman said. "A lot of people can do that, but they can't get their hips around. He can club and his hips will be where his arm is like that."

Pittman said single blocking A&M ends Daeshon Hall, Julien Obioha and Garrett isn't likely a winning strategy.

"If we don't like our matchup, we'll add somebody else over there," Pittman said. "We're not going to make a living blocking their defensive ends just one-on-one."

Wheeler dealer

Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill has delivered passes to 16 different receivers through four games.

"They're like a dealer out there in Vegas," Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said "He's passing that thing around like hotcakes."

Marquee matchup

The Davey O'Brien Award, which is given to the nation's top quarterback, has chosen the Arkansas-Texas A&M game as its marquee quarterback matchup of the week.

The game will pit Arkansas junior Brandon Allen, who has 8 touchdown passes, 2 rushing touchdowns and 1 interception and is No. 18 in passing efficiency, against Texas A&M sophomore Kenny Hill, who has 1,359 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 1 interception and is No. 9 in passing efficiency.

Bowling for Hogs?

Arkansas' 3-1 start has some websites projecting the Razorbacks to play in a bowl game for the first time in three seasons.

Tony Barnhart, an analyst for the SEC Network, said he believes the Razorbacks can get to six victories and play in a bowl, but it won't be easy. The Razorbacks opened the season with a loss at No. 5 Auburn and play six other teams ranked in this week's national polls.

"Teams like Arkansas and Tennessee are going to be significantly better this year, but it's going to be hard for them to get to six because the schedule is just so ridiculous," Barnhart said Wednesday at the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club meeting in Fayetteville. "I see Arkansas as a bowl team, but it's going to be tough getting there."

Quick strike

Arkansas and Texas A&M own two of the top scoring teams in the country. The Aggies are second with an average of 55.3 points per game, while the Razorbacks are third at 48.8 points per game.

Both teams average an offensive touchdown every 10.48 snaps, the Aggies with 29 touchdowns in 304 plays and the Razorbacks with 25 touchdowns in 262 plays. Arkansas also has one defensive touchdown and one special teams score.

Sports on 09/25/2014

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