Hit The Road, Jack?

The Jack linebacker position, which was created in the preseason because of Arkansas’ glaring depth problems, may not be as prominent in the Razorbacks’ defensive plans the rest of the season.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Monday the Razorbacks are working on returning to a base, 4-3 scheme, which won’t require its smaller safeties to play in a hybrid position all the time.

“The combination of the 4-3, when you’re in base defense and being able to utilize the nickel and dime packages, is where we would like to be headed,” Petrino said. “We had the injuries and the trouble early at linebacker and we were more in a nickel look all the time. So we’re kind of trying to make the transition back to more 4-3 on non-nickel situations.”

Arkansas needed safeties to fill its third linebacker spot early in the season because of the absence of Elston Forte, Freddy Burton, Wendel Davis and Ryan Powers. Powers, Forte and Davis were out with injuries, while Burton was suspended for two games.

So freshman Jerico Nelson started three games at jack linebacker. But all four linebackers have returned the past few weeks, giving Arkansas flexibility.

Nelson was moved to the starting strong safety spot against the Longhorns. Burton earned his first start at the strongside linebacker alongside Forte (weakside linebacker) and Jerry Franklin (middle linebacker).

Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the new lineup at linebacker will probably remain the same for Saturday’s game against No. 12 Florida. He’s hoping it will stick, too, giving the Razorbacks more of a traditional look at their three positions.

“I think you have three kids that are going to be very, very reliable as the season goes on for us,” Robinson said.



Miller Time

Petrino said receiver Lucas Miller, who missed the Texas game after sustaining a concussion against Alabama, should be available for the Gators.

“He had a good weekend,” Petrino said of Miller, who has six catches for 105 yards. “He was in here (Sunday) and did very well. Hopefully he’ll be back.”

However, Petrino said the Razorbacks won’t find out about other players that are hobbling until practice resumes today. That list includes starting tackle Ray Dominguez, who sat out most of the second half because of an ankle injury he sustained in practice.

If Dominguez can’t play, junior Michael Aguirre would likely earn the starting nod. Aguirre filled in for Dominguez against the Longhorns.



Auburn Time Set

Kickoff for the Arkansas-Auburn game on Oct. 11 has been set for 4 p.m. The game was not picked up for television by any of the Southeastern Conference networks, but will be offered on a pay-per-view basis.

Arkansas announced that the pay-per-view details are still being finalized. It will be the second game broadcast via pay-per-view, joining the 28-27 win against Louisiana-Monroe earlier this season.

Former athletic director Frank Broyles had a long-standing policy of not offering games via pay-per-view. But athletic director Jeff Long said the Razorbacks have planned for at least two this year.



Extra Points

• Arkansas punter Jeremy Davis had one of his best days against the Longhorns, averaging 45.2 yards a punt. But Petrino said he won’t be “going to Hollywood” after failing to fall down after being bumped by a Texas player on his first punt.

“Whether we had gotten the call or not, who knows,” Petrino said. “We do teach them that. They should be able to do it. He just kind of stood up there.”

• Petrino reiterated his plans to redshirt linebacker Tenarius Wright this season. He also said the Razorbacks will have to evaluate to the injury status of linebacker Jelani Smith, who started the first two games but has been sidelined with a hand injury.