Having Jefferson will help Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas stands deeper at quarterback and shakier within the secondary heading into in the present day’s non-conference sport at Brigham Younger College.

KJ Jefferson quarterbacks after every week off therapeutic from a head harm throughout Arkansas’ 49-26 loss to Alabama on Oct. 1.

The fourth-year junior co-captain practiced crisply this week, Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman mentioned.

Although committing the season’s largest goal-line gaffe, prematurely trying his landing leap with the ball prolonged which Texas A&M swiped and bolted for a devastating landing within the Aggies’ 23-21 victory, Jefferson stays Arkansas’ greatest goal-line possibility. The quick, highly effective 242-pounder can bulldoze or roll out.

“I feel we have to transfer the pocket a little bit bit extra to get KJ out on the sting,” Pittman mentioned. “Get him a run-pass possibility on the market.”

Upon changing then No. 2 beginning quarterback Cade Fortin on the second collection in Jefferson’s absence throughout final Saturday’s 40-17 loss at Mississippi State, sophomore Malik Hornsby outlined himself and his function.

Beforehand a suspect passer — and final week he did throw two picks and missed an open receiver in the long run zone — however with pace to fascinate, Hornsby purely quarterbacked in Starkville, Miss. He acquired Arkansas again within the sport after a down 21-0 begin. Hornsby accomplished 8 of 17 for 234 yards with a 54-yard landing and rushed a team-leading 114 yards.

Vastly totally different from the failed trick play marking Hornsby’s final non-quarterback look.

“There was a giant weight lifted off his again,” Pittman mentioned. “I feel he validated what he thought of himself as a quarterback. He needs to remain proper there and never essentially do the extensive receiver and all that stuff.”

Whereas quarterback assured, Arkansas performs secondary shy in opposition to a quarterback manufacturing facility.

Amongst others beneath late Corridor of Fame Coach LaVell Edwards, BYU produced Tremendous Bowl champions Jim McMahon and Steve Younger, and Heisman winner Ty Detmer.

Seventh-year BYU Coach Kalani Sitake delivered quarterback Zack Wilson to the New York Jets. He has one other probably NFL certain in dual-threat junior Jaren Corridor.

Corridor’s 129 of 188 for 1,558 yards with 14 touchdowns vs 2 interceptions bodes ominously for Arkansas’ harm depleted struggling secondary.

With two 2021 secondary starters, All-American security Jalen Catalon and cornerback LaDarrius Bishop, injured for the season, and DBs Myles Slusher, Jayden Johnson and Khari Johnson harm iffy, Pittman lately switched freshman extensive receivers Sam Mbake and Quincey McAdoo to the secondary.

Corridor’s shoulder was reported probably ailing submit final Saturday’s 28-20 loss to Notre Dame.

He’ll hanker to heal vs. what ails Arkansas.