QB spark in relief holds true

QB spark in relief holds true.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Arkansas’ quarterback play has come further under the microscope — but with a grainy focus, not a sharp one — with four games remaining in the season.

John Stephen Jones gave the Razorbacks a lift with his composure, production and the run-pass threat he provided in the second half of the Razorbacks’ 48-7 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

Jones’ play continued what has been a running theme for the Razorbacks.

Similarly, earlier this season, junior Nick Starkel provided a spark off the bench in the second half of a 31-17 loss at Ole Miss. Senior Ben Hicks came off the bench to provide better quarterback play in losses to four-point losses to Texas A&M and at Kentucky.

The common thread in those games was setbacks for Arkansas (2-6, 0-5 SEC) which will take a five-game losing streak and more quarterback questions into Saturday’s 3 p.m. game against struggling Mississippi State. Coach Chad Morris said “everything was open” as it related to the quarterback job in practice this week.

Hicks’ left shoulder had not progressed enough to allow him a role against Alabama. Starkel was involved in 4 turnovers in the first half against Alabama and is 12 of 38 for 99 yards in his last 2 starts. He now has a 7-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Former Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner weighed in on the state of the Razorbacks via his Twitter account late Saturday.

“There’s a lot of bad that I expected & can live with, given where the Arkansas program was & is currently in this rebuild,” Stoerner wrote. “However, the QB position is holding this team back significantly & making it impossible to put a respectable product on the field.”

With four games remaining in the season, another name, and yet another wrinkle, could emerge at quarterback.

Asked whether playing time for true freshman KJ Jefferson was a possibility Saturday, Coach Chad Morris said “No, not today.”

But since Jefferson has not played yet he could see action in all of the Hogs’ remaining games and still retain his redshirt.

“Yeah, he figures in part of our plan as we go and get back in tomorrow and re-evaluate things,” Morris said.

Stay tuned.

NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE/BEN GOFF Arkansas quarterback John Stephen Jones completed 6 of 7 passes for 49 yards from off the bench Saturday night against Alabama. Jones joined Nick Starkel and Ben Hicks as quarterbacks who’ve performed in relief roles this year for the Razorbacks.