SEC provides daunting task for Morris

Chad Morris probably expected his debut season as head football coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks would fare better than 2-10.

And he likely did not bank on an 0-8 Southeastern Conference campaign either, through he did acknowledge he knew his debut in the SEC would be tough sledding.

“I knew this was the toughest league in college football,” Morris said. “And I think it did exactly what I thought was going to happen.

“You’ve got to have depth and you better have some speed. That’s been the area of emphasis for us and has been since the day I walked in here. You’ve got to recruit to that. You’ve got to develop the players you have.”

Without previous SEC experience, Morris and his staff have worked on commitments for the Dec. 19 early signing period they believe will literally speed Arkansas’ football recovery.

They must also sort out those on the team who do not want to return and the ones they especially want to return. Then, as he noted, they must intensely develop what becomes their returning core of players.

One plus, even while following a 52-6 rout at Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4) with a

38-0 blowout at Missouri (84, 4-4), is the Hogs played 15 freshmen in the finale in Columbia, Mo.

Some like quarterbacks Connor Noland and John Stephen Jones and offense tackle Noah Gatlin will return as redshirt freshman next year. A new NCAA rule this year allows players to play four games or less and not have the season count towards their eligibility.

“Any time you can put them in a game situation and watch them develop, they’re going to make some mistakes,” Morris said.

“They made mistakes today, but those guys continue to battle and fight. I was proud of those guys. They had to step in in some difficult times, some difficult situations. We’ve got to continue to develop these young men. That’s our focus right now.”

Greenwood native Noland was recruited as a two-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and football.

“I don’t think it will be too tough,” Noland said. “We have great coaches and I think the staffs are going to work together, do their time and figure that out. I’ll get my time over at baseball and football.”

Morris affirmed Noland will be able to play both sports.

“Absolutely, you bet,” Morris said. “He will play baseball. We love guys that want to compete.”

With and without Gafford

What Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks (4-1) did without and without their starting sophomore center on Friday could bode well for their future. Arkansas will next host Florida International (6-1) Saturday at 7 p.m. inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Daniel Gafford did everything but hit free throws in a season-opening 73-71 loss in overtime to Texas (5-1). He sank a career-best 9 of 10 free throws on Friday in a 78-60 home victory over UT-Arlington (3-3), hitting 6 of 6 in the first half to keep Arkansas afloat, 31-26, when the team hit but 8 of 25 from the field and only 1 of 9 treys.

Gafford left the game with 9:26 remaining after his fifth foul with Arkansas only leading, 54-45. Anderson never brought him back.

The Razorbacks increased their lead without him, relying on reserve forwards Reggie Chaney, a freshman, and Gabe Osabuohien, a sophomore, interspersed with starting junior forward Adrio Bailey.

“I think that shows the growth in this basketball team,” Anderson said. “There are going to be times that he (Gafford) may get in foul trouble, and the guys off the bench gave us some good minutes.”