Practice bumping for Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas added music back to its practice ambience Tuesday, but the volume was considerably lower than it had been previously this season.

The loudest sound during Tuesday’s work on split fields at the Razorbacks’ practice facility was the crowd noise blaring through the speakers when the scout teams began their work.

Crowd noise will be an issue Saturday when the Razorbacks (2-8, 0-6 SEC) try to break their seven-game losing streak at No. 1 LSU (10-0, 6-0) before a crowd expected to approach sellout status at 102,321-seat Tiger Stadium. The Tigers have the inside track on the top seed for the College Football Playoff.

Arkansas’ top offense worked inside Walker Pavilion, and its activities were closed off to the media. The first-team defense worked outside on the grass field with Ben Hicks operating as scout-team quarterback.

Sophomore Bumper Pool, who missed at least two days of practice last week with a muscle injury, was back in his white No. 10 jersey working alongside fellow linebacker De’Jon Harris on the top defense.

Receiver De’Vion Warren, who has been out since the Mississippi State game with an injured ankle, was not seen at the practice. Nor was offensive guard Kirby Adcock, who has missed two consecutive games while in concussion protocol.

The rest of the starting defense remained much the same as it’s been all year, with tackles McTelvin Agim and T.J. Smith, ends Gabe Richardson and Mataio

Soli, cornerbacks Montaric Brown and Jarques McClellion, safeties Kamren Curl and Joe Foucha, and nickel back Greg Brooks.

Foucha had the top play of the early team period with an interception over the middle on a pass by Hicks.

The Razorbacks started practice early, cutting down on the open viewing portion for the media.

Interim Coach Barry Lunney Jr. eliminated music at last week’s practices in an effort to hone the team’s focus and communication.

Lunney has curtailed player and assistant coach interviews this week. He held the team’s weekly news conference Monday and will be on the SEC teleconference this morning before meeting with local reporters this afternoon.