Arkansas needs more production on interior DL against Ole Miss
The defensive line of the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0, 0-0 SEC) stepped up its play against Arkansas State last weekend, but they need another jump as Southeastern Conference play starts this weekend on the road against the Ole Miss Rebels (2-0, 1-0 SEC).
Against the Red Wolves last weekend, the Arkansas defense held the offense to 153 rush yards and tallied four sacks for 34 yards, but those sacks came all from the edge, along with half a sack from redshirt senior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr.
Head coach Sam Pittman was on the SEC Teleconference on Wednesday, and said he needs to see more production from the interior.
“We’ve got to get more production out of our interior guys,” Pittman said. “We don’t have a lot there. The guys we’ve talked about, as far as production, are the defensive ends in Phillip (Lee) and Quincy (Rhodes Jr.). So we’ve got to get more production out of those guys on the inside.”
David Oke’s return could help interior presence
One development that might be able to aid the Hogs in production on the interior is the possible return of David Oke, a transfer from Abilene Christian. He missed part of fall camp and the first two games of the season with a knee injury, but he’s now listed as “Questionable” on the SEC Student Athlete Availability report.
Pittman said Monday that Oke needed to practice three days this week to play in Saturday’s contest, and he got reps Tuesday, and the plan was to get him more reps on Wednesday.
“He did practice some yesterday, we’re going to try to get a few more reps out of him today,” Pittman said Wednesday morning. He added the staff would make its decision either Wednesday or Thursday.
If Oke is able to go, it adds another body alongside redshirt senior Cam Ball on the interior.
Questionable defensive ends?
When the availability report was released on Wednesday evening, there was an interesting addition. Defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. was listed as “Questionable,” as was defensive end Kavion Henderson.
Henderson mostly ran with the second- and third-team defensive ends in fall camp, but Rhodes played a big role in last week’s win over Arkansas State, as he logged six total tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
Being listed as questionable doesn’t mean he won’t play, and there was no indication prior to the report’s release that Rhodes won’t be able to go. But his name being listed at all is an important note for an Arkansas defense that will face a high-powered Ole Miss offense.
The Razorbacks and Rebels will kick off from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT and the game will air on ESPN.
