Liddell back as a starter

FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore Josh Liddell came off the bench for Arkansas’ first three SEC games, replaced by redshirt freshman Santos Ramirez at free safety after starting the first three games of the season.

After showing improvements in various facets of the game in recent weeks, Liddell is back among the starters for Saturday’s game at Auburn.

“It’s been a good three weeks,” Liddell said. “I’ve really taken a step back and re-evaluated the way I was practicing, started to do things better and it’s working out good for me.”

Liddell said he had some communication issues and wasn’t seeing everything the right way on every play in a couple of the early games.

“The greatest thing about a defensive back is they have the ability to bounce back,” secondary coach Clay Jennings said. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the Hall of Fame that played defensive back in the National Football League that never had a bad game or a bad stretch.

“That’s one thing I can say about Josh Liddell is he’s been resilient.”

Jennings said Liddell continued to study tape and immerse himself in game plans even when his snap counts were low, and that he has his confidence back.

Liddell and Ramirez both had interceptions in Arkansas’ last game, a 27-14 loss at Alabama on Oct. 10.