By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway said the bitter taste hasn’t left his mouth.
It has been nearly three weeks since Arkansas’ 33-30 overtime loss at LSU. But Broadway and his teammates haven’t forgotten LSU’s final drive, when the Tigers quickly moved downfield to notch the game-tying field goal and force overtime.
“That taste doesn’t go away from your mouth until the next time you line up,” Broadway said about the frustration. “We can come out here and practice all day until the cows come home, but it ain’t nothing like when you line up in that next game.”
It’s clear Arkansas is eagerly awaiting the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2, when the Razorbacks get an opportunity to make amends for the collapse at LSU.
Their inability to hold the Tigers eventually knocked Arkansas out of consideration for a Capital One Bowl or Cotton Bowl berths. And linebacker Jerry Franklin said it is hard to forget even though the Razorbacks have moved on to installing their gameplan for stopping the East Carolina.
“Some days you think about it and you’re like, ‘Dang,’” Franklin said. “But last year we didn’t really have this opportunity to do anything but watch (bowls). So it’s real good we have a chance to go out there and play defense one more time.”
The Razorbacks feel like they have plenty to prove in the bowl game. After all, they did show some improvement after a disastrous 2009 season.
Arkansas finished the regular season leading the Southeastern Conference in forced turnovers (27) and red zone defense, experiencing some form of success as a bend-but-don’t break bunch.
But big plays were problematic throughout the year and the Razorbacks were last in the league in total defense (401.8 yards a game). Then there was the fourth-quarter at LSU, which was similar to the late letdown in the 23-20 loss at Florida.
“It took me, I know, a week to get over (LSU),” Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “But it’s important to get back out there. … This is an opportunity now to get back on the field.”
Defensive end Jake Bequette said the Razorbacks will have to be prepared because East Carolina’s balanced offense will provide a challenge. The Pirates are led by veteran quarterback Patrick Pinkney and running back Dominique Lindsey.
But Bequette said the defense is expecting a much-improved performance, viewing the Liberty Bowl as a chance to make up for the LSU loss.
“We kind of let the team down there at the end,” Bequette said about the defense. “It’s good to get a chance to get some redemption after that.
“That was not a fun evening for any of us involved and we’re just ready to look past that and put a stamp on this season and get ready for 2010.”
Curtis at Cornerback
Running back De’Anthony Curtis was practicing at a new position Thursday.
The Razorbacks gave Curtis a shot at cornerback as it prepared for 2010. Curtis has been buried on the backfield depth chart and Robinson said there’s a chance he could help on defense next year.
“We’ve dealt with De’Anthony on special teams,” Robinson said. “He’s very coachable. He’s really a good football player athletically and we need to find a home for him because he is a guy that we should use his ability and his talent.”
Curtis is one of a few guys getting opportunities at different positions. In addition, receiver Lance Ray has spent some time at cornerback. And tight end Colton Nash has gotten work at defensive end after moving to offense in the preseason.
Feeling Peachy
Robinson was asked how he was feeling a month after being hospitalized.
“I feel peachy,” he said.
Robinson said he has been taking better care of himself lately. His biggest issue was going through the day without eating and drinking too much coffee. Robinson said it has been corrected.
“This is a high-tempo, high-paced type of business that we’re in,” Robinson said. “It is really important that you do maintain yourself.”
