Hogs need a big game from Slusher

FAYETTEVILLE — This season’s Oct. 9 SEC West rematch with Ole Miss convinced Arkansas star safety Jalen Catalon his ailing shoulder couldn’t shoulder the burden again.

Leading into Saturday’s SEC West rematch with Mississippi State, Arkansas hopes Myles Slusher is convinced he can shoulder Catalon’s burden. Slusher’s safety contributions against Mississippi State’s “Air Raid” offense rank among the pivotal keys for 5-3 Arkansas against the 5-3 Bulldogs visiting Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Saturday’s 3 p.m. SEC Network televised game.

Catalon’s contributions were immense to the Razorbacks last year defeating Mississippi State, 21-14 in Starkville, Miss. and defeating Ole Miss, 33-21 in Fayetteville.

Against a Mississippi State offense quarterbacked by KJ Costello coming off Costello’s 625 yards and five touchdowns passing in a 44-34 stunner over then reigning national champion LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Catalon made 13 tackles. As the signals calling safety, Catalon quarterbacked an Arkansas defense limiting Costello to 313 yards on 59 passes and intercepting three passes, two by safety Joe Foucha and one by nickel back Greg Brooks.

Against Ole Miss last season, Catalon made nine tackles and intercepted a Matt Corral pass he returned for a 35-yard touchdown.

Arkansas intercepted six Corral passes. Catalon made nine tackles against Ole Miss again this season.

But it was not the same and he knew it. The missed tackles he couldn’t complete and the plays he couldn’t make in Arkansas losing a 52-51 shootout convinced Catalon that an increasingly painful shoulder injury required out for the season surgery

Sophomore Slusher of Broken Arrow, Okla., lettering in seven games last season after injured early, and missing this season’s first two games injured, got 2021 big game baptized starting the 38-23 SEC loss to Auburn in Catalon’s place. Slusher initially got Auburn burned but did break up a pass and record seven tackles.

Since then Slusher posted a confidence building interception, quarterback hurry and four tackles half during the Oct. 23 45-3 nonconference romp over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He’s had an open date week’s extra practices to prepare for Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers coming off completing 36 of 39 passes last Saturday in a 31-17 victory over No. 12 Kentucky.

“He (Slusher) had a lot of injuries his first year here and then had a lot of injuries at the beginning of this year, too, or he would have played a lot more ball than what he has,” Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman said. “But fortunately for us, he got healthy about the time Cat had to have his shoulder surgery. I think he’ll just continue to get better and better because he’s talented and he cares.”

And he listens whether to defensive coordinator/safeties coach Barry Odom or Catalon urging him to speak up.

“It was a tough task at first being more vocal,” Slusher said of assuming Catalon’s take charge role. “I have slowly got into the groove of it so just being more vocal.”

Saturday they need Slusher worth a shout.