Defense short 3 starters
Arkansas’ defense played without three starters in the Razorbacks’ 31-21 victory over Samford on Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium.
Defensive end Trey Flowers and strong safety Rohan Gaines were sidelined by knee injuries, and Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said linebacker Jarrett Lake didn’t play because of a disciplinary reason.
Bielema said all three should be ready to play in the next game against Southern Mississippi.
Gaines suffered a knee injury last week against Louisiana-Lafayette and coaches had said it would be a game-time decision whether he played.
It hadn’t been known Flowers — the SEC’s defensive player of the week after having three tackles for 20 lost yards against Louisiana-Lafayette — was injured. Flowers dressed out. “Trey just didn’t feel after pregame warmups that he could go,” Bielema said. “He hurt his knee a week ago, but he’ll be back. He was right on the cusp. In another couple of days he should be with us.”
Outside linebackers Braylon Mitchell and Martrell Spaight and defensive end Brandon Lewis each made their first starts.
Mitchell didn’t start last week against LouisianaLafayette when the Razorbacks opened with five defensive backs, and Spaight started in place of Lake. Lewis made his first start in place of Flowers.
Alan Turner started at strong safety for Gaines, who started at nickel back last week.
Bielema said Turner played in the game despite the death of his father from cancer Friday night.