Gaines' investment yields bigger return

FAYETTEVILLE -- Ole Miss was driving for a touchdown that would have gotten the No. 8 Rebels back into their game at Arkansas last season.

Then Rohan Gaines stepped in.

The Razorbacks' safety read a wheel route the Rebels tried to set up with a fake screen, intercepted Bo Wallace's pass intended for running back Jaylen Walton, and with an escort from his teammates returned it 100 yards for a touchdown that clinched Arkansas' 30-0 victory.

If Ole Miss had scored a touchdown on the play, it would have cut Arkansas' lead to 20-7 with more than three minutes left in the third quarter. Instead Gaines' touchdown put the Razorbacks ahead 27-0.

"That interception run he made last year was kind of the dagger," Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze said.

"I was jumping up and down like a cheerleader in the press box," Arkansas defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said. "I hope Rohan gives us another one."

Another 100-yard interception return might be asking a bit much from Gaines, but the fifth-year senior from Bainbridge, Ga., will try to help the Razorbacks beat the Rebels again when the teams play Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

"I think he's one of the better back end players in our league," Freeze said. "He's playing at an extremely high level."

Gaines, 5-11 and 195 pounds, ranks third on the team with 45 tackles and made his first interception of the season last week when the Razorbacks beat Tennessee-Martin 63-28.

"I feel like this is the best season I've had since I've been here," Gaines said. "I've stepped into that leadership role and really bought into the defense and the scheme."

Arkansas coaches said Gaines has undergone a transformation since being suspended for the Texas Bowl last season for an undisclosed disciplinary reason.

"I think Rohan really committed himself this offseason, not only from a physical standpoint but from a mental standpoint as well," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "That's really helped him gain credibility amongst his teammates.

"He's been able to take that knowledge, and take what he's already done on the football field, and use that as a positive in a leadership role."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema made Gaines a captain for the Tennessee-Martin game, taking the place of injured Jonathan Williams.

"J. Will wanted to give somebody else opportunities," Bielema said. "I like the growth that Ro has shown me, so I asked him if he'd like to roll out with the captains. He was grinning ear to ear."

Gaines said Bielema didn't ask him about being a captain until shortly before kickoff.

"He told me I deserved it," Gaines said. "That's the biggest thing you can hear from your coach."

Gaines said missing the Razorbacks' 31-7 victory over Texas in the bowl game was a wake-up call.

"You don't know how much you miss something until it's taken away from you," he said. "I got playing taken away from me, and I knew I had to change some things and I've done that. It's made me a better person."

Gaines has become a vocal leader for the defense, especially for younger defensive backs.

"It's not just showing up on Saturday, but it's showing up Sunday through Friday as well," Jennings said. "He's not being negative, because he's been in the same shoes as those young guys. He's doing a great job of encouraging and lifting them up.

"He's been a calming influence."

Gaines will take it upon himself to get in the face of teammates on the sideline if he believes that is what's needed.

"When we're not playing well defensively, there's one guy that's always upset and that's Rohan Gaines," Bielema said. "He knows what we're capable of doing and he tries to demonstrate that every way possible."

Junior middle linebacker Brooks Ellis, a team captain, said Gaines has a sense of urgency.

"It's his last season here and he knows he doesn't have much time left to be a Razorback," Ellis said. "He realizes he's got to get all these guys fired up and ready to go every single play. That's why he's getting so amped up."

Gaines said he's become comfortable in his leadership role.

"I'm way better at it than I was last year," he said. "I really know what I'm doing now. I'm more confident in my ability to play and help the guys out."

Gaines said it's fun to look back on his 100-yard return against Ole Miss last season, but that he's focused on Saturday's game.

"That's one of those plays I'll never forget," he said. "But now I'm trying to make some new memories."

Sports on 11/06/2015