Running back returns could bolster Arkansas in Starkville

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas head coach Chad Morris said he expects running backs Rakeem Boyd and Devwah Whaley to be in uniform Saturday when the Razorbacks visit Mississippi State.

Arkansas (2-8, 0-6 Southeastern Conference) will kick off against the Bulldogs (6-4, 2-4) at 11 am. on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Fayetteville. The game is scheduled for ESPN (Resort Channel 30).

Boyd exited Saturday’s 24-17 loss to LSU (8-2, 5-2) with an ankle injury. The loss to the Tigers was the final home game of the season at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Whaley underwent surgery on his ankle two days after sustaining an injury during the Hogs’ 37-33 loss to Ole Miss (5-5, 1-5) at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Boyd and Whaley both practiced in green jerseys on Sunday. Green jerseys are designated for restricted practice with evidence that they can play by game time.

Sophomore kick returner and receiver De’Vion Warren has been injured since a 45-31 home loss on Oct. 27 to Vanderbilt (4-6, 1-5).

“Rakeem was out there yesterday in green, so we anticipate him being back,” Morris said Monday, the Razorbacks’ NCAA-mandated off day.

“Devwah was actually in green yesterday running around, going through the workout. We’re anticipating him being back as well. And De’Vion Warren, we expect him to be back.”

Morris said Deon Edwards, a special teams player and a reserve linebacker, should also be available against Mississippi State since sustaining an injury against LSU.

Boyd has 646 yards and two touchdowns on 104 carries in 10 games. He had a streak of games with 102, 109, 99 and 113 rushing

yards in consecutive games until Saturday.

Whaley has 298 yards on 65 carries in five games.

Arkansas netted only 16 rushing yards on 19 carries Saturday against LSU. Boyd was limited to 30 yards on 10 carries.

Morris abandoned the run in the second half as LSU led, 14-3, at halftime before taking a 24-3 lead in the third quarter. Quarterback Ty Storey was 19 of 38 passing for 200 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Both fourth-quarter touchdowns went to tight end C.J. O’Grady to cut the deficit to 24-17. The Razorbacks were unable to take the ball back from LSU for the remaining 5:27 of the game.

Morris said he admired the “grit and toughness” the Hogs displayed to get back in the game. He said it is obvious they must block and execute better in the run game.

LSU’s defense had a lot to do with Arkansas’ inability to run the ball. Mississippi State’s defense presents similar problems.

“Last week, I think LSU was No. 3 in our conference in defense,” said Arkansas offensive coordinator Joe Craddock. “These guys are No. 1.

“Like I said last week about LSU, there’s not many weak links out there. Same goes for this week. They are very talented up front. The No. 1 pass defense. And a lot of that is what they are able to do from the D-line standpoint.”

“The defense is as good as advertised,” Morris said. “It’s the fastest overall defense that we’ve seen. Extremely aggressive.”

The first step is for Arkansas to revive its running game.

“We have to get back to what we do,” Craddock said. ‘LSU, they were good up front but we were able to cover them up at times and hit some decent runs.

“Then other times, they were able to win at the point of attack and were able to stop us. We have to focus on ourselves and make sure we know exactly what we’re doing every play.”

Storey was officially sacked three times and hit countless more after he released the ball. Mississippi State senior defensive end Montez Sweat has 9.5 sacks in 10 games.

“They’ve got the top pass rusher in the league in Montez Sweat,” Morris said. “He’s a dynamic player and very disruptive.”

Senior three-year letterman quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (65, 230) is the Bulldogs’ leading passer and rusher. He is 111-for217 passing for 1,377 yards and 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He has also run for 816 yards and nine touchdowns on 169 carries.

“It starts there,” Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “A quality, quality quarterback. A big-time runner. He makes that offense go.”