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Smith: Arkansas RBs must ‘earn their keep’

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Smith: Arkansas RBs must ‘earn their keep’


FAYETTEVILLE — If one didn’t know better while listening to Arkansas running backs coach Jimmy Smith speak Saturday, they may think his backfield is full of unproven players.

That is because the fourth-year Razorbacks assistant demands his players “earn their keep” week in and week out. Even preseason first-team All-SEC selection Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is not exempt.

“Every week that’s what pushes Rocket so hard,” Smith said following Day 2 of fall camp. “He learned when I first got here you have a starter for a week. There’s not a starter for a season. It’s a starter for a week.

“Everybody has got to earn their keep every week. It’s a big deal for you to practice good every day because we’re about winning games.”

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The result of this attitude Smith holds is a hunger from his star back, who ran for 1,443 yards and nearly claimed the SEC rushing title in 2022.

More from WholeHogSports: AJ Green’s offseason jump impresses Smith 

“Rocket is one of those guys who he competes every day like he’s eighth string or something,” Smith said. “Like, he competes all the time. He goes hard all the time.”

The running backs room has plenty of depth, and Smith said all his options bring different things to the table.

Sanders is fast and powerful. Junior AJ Green is “fast, fast, fast,” as noted by Smith. Sophomore Rashod Dubinion has the ability to change speed and direction quickly. Redshirt junior Dominique Johnson is big, powerful and has been a force against SEC competition before.

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And freshman Isaiah Augustave may be learning the system still, but is young and talented.

“Honestly, from the outside it looks difficult,” Smith said on making decisions centered on who to give carries, “but for me, it’s fun. I’ve got 1A, 1B, 1C, got Dominique on the way, and I have Isaiah on the way. So, they compete.

“Like I say about the guys all the time, it’s fun because I know one can go in there and run for 10 [yards] and I know the other one is saying, ‘Give it to me so I run for 15,’ and the next one’s saying, ‘Give it to me so I can run for 20.’

“They’re not selfish at all. All they want to see is each other be successful. That’s a beautiful thing for me.”

Sanders echoed his coach’s sentiments when he took the podium later.

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“I’m definitely going to be there to help somebody next to me and somebody in front of me,” Sanders said, “because I want to be great as a unit, not just me.”

More from WholeHogSports: Smith, running backs talk position group and opening days of fall camp Notes and observations from the Razorbacks’ second preseason football practice

He said with the amount of talent in the position group, every running back knows he will have an opportunity to showcase his abilities. Sanders and others know they are part of a system in which they will need each other for success.

“Outside looking in, it’s like everybody’s figuring out who’s the 1 or who’s the 2 or whatnot,” Sanders said. “As we see it, you know, everybody’s going to work and Coach Smith [has everyone] buy in in a way to help everybody develop what we need to develop.

“Everybody’s got different talent in a way. I feel like [who gets the touches] is not something we’re worrying about and we just keep working. 

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“Everybody’s going to get theirs.”

Arkansas’ running backs room

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders — 6-2, 242 — Jr.

AJ Green — 5-11, 205 — Jr.

Rashod Dubinion — 5-10, 216 — So.

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Dominique Johnson — 6-1, 252 — R-Jr.

Isaiah Augustave — 6-2, 208 — Fr.

Emmanuel Crawford — 5-10, 168 — Fr.

Jezreel Bachert — 6-1, 209 — R-Fr.

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Arkansas

VIDEO: Calipari, Aidoo postgame – Florida 71, Arkansas 63

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VIDEO: Calipari, Aidoo postgame – Florida 71, Arkansas 63


Watch the postgame press conference from Arkansas head coach John Calipari and center Jonas Aidoo after the 71-63 loss to Florida on Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Visit our homepage for complete coverage of Arkansas basketball, including everything you need to know from the Hoop Hogs’ game.



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2025 Small Works on Paper tour opens Monday at UALR | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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2025 Small Works on Paper tour opens Monday at UALR | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


The Arkansas Arts Council’s 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition debuts Monday and remains on display through Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock.

A reception, 5-7 p.m. Jan. 30, will feature presentations by the 35 Arkansas artists whose 40 pieces, no larger than 18-by-24 inches, are part of the exhibition. Refreshments will be served.

Admission to the reception and the gallery is free. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

The visual art exhibition is in its 38th year, spotlighting Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery maintained by the Arkansas Arts Council. Most works will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the artists. The exhibition will tour nine venues statewide.

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This year’s juror, New Jersey-based artist Mario A. Robinson, reviewed more than 200 entries and chose the work of three artists — Jennifer Barnett and Derek Slagle, both of Little Rock, and Richard Stephens of Hot Springs — for purchase awards that will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards that are equivalent to the value of their artwork.

    “Weird Weather,” acrylic painting by Susan Chambers of Little Rock; “Good Days,” acrylic on newspaper by Alexia Lams of Pine Bluff; “Offerings,” watercolor and thread on paper by Rhaelene Lowther of Magnolia; “Hillside Hives,” pastel and graphite on brown paper by David Mudrinich of Russellville; and “The Old Neighborhood,” pastel by Dennis McCann of Maumelle, are part of the Arkansas Arts Council’s 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition, debuting Monday and on display through Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)
 
 

The exhibition will be on display:

◼️ March 3-26 at the River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. St., Russellville (rivervalleyartscenter.org)

◼️ April 3-30 at the Walton Arts Center’s Community Creative Center, 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville (communitycreativecenter.org)

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◼️ May 5-28 at the Ouachita Center, University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, 1100 College Drive, Mena (uarichmountain.edu/index.html)

◼️ June 6-28 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., Pine Bluff (artx3.org/home)

◼️ July 11-Aug. 22 at the Delta Cultural Center, 141 Cherry St., Helena (arkansasheritage.com/delta-cultural-center)

◼️ Sept. 4-29 at Southern Arkansas University’s Brinson Art Gallery, 100 E. University St., Magnolia (saumag.edu)

◼️ Oct. 6-28 at the Glassblock Gallery, Taylor Library, University of Arkansas at Monticello, 346 University Ave., Monticello (uamont.edu)

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◼️ Nov. 4-22 at Harding University’s Stevens Art Center, 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy (harding.edu).

For more information, call (501) 324-9767, email at cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov or visit ArkansasArts.org.



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DoorDash activates severe weather protocol, suspending service in parts of Arkansas

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DoorDash activates severe weather protocol, suspending service in parts of Arkansas


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Due to the ongoing winter storm sweeping through the Natural State, DoorDash has activated its Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspended operations in Little Rock and various parts of the Natural State.

According to a release Friday night, the precautionary measure comes as the winter storms deliver hazardous conditions across the city, including heavy snowfall and strong winds.

Cities with suspended operations include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Pine Bluff, Jacksonville, Cabot, Searcy, Malvern, Lonoke, Heber Springs, Star City, Clinton, Rison and Sheridan.

“With heavy snowfall and low visibility, the snowstorm is a serious threat to our community, and we’ve taken decisive action by activating our Severe Weather Protocol,” DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said. “We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of Dashers, merchants and consumers, and will resume operations as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

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Officials said they will continue to monitor conditions on the ground and will communicate additional changes to their operations as needed. 



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