By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said the Razorbacks don’t have many fond memories of their last postseason game.

Preparing to play Missouri in the 2008 Cotton Bowl wasn’t at the front of anyone’s mind after a tumultuous season. The Razorbacks were under an interim coach, Reggie Herring, after Houston Nutt’s resignation. More important, they were wondering about their new head coach, Bobby Petrino, who often watched practices from up in the team’s weight room.

“It was just different,” Sheppard said. “Nobody was really focused on the game because it was so much going on. A lot of players were loyal to Coach Nutt and it was just a confusing time for everybody. …

“The commitment to the team wasn’t there.”

So Sheppard said it was no surprise the distractions were apparent during Missouri’s easy 38-7 win.

Arkansas’ defense gave up 281 rushing yards and four touchdowns to Missouri’s Tony Temple. The offense — which had running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield for the final time — sputtered around the field throughout the game.

Defensive end Adrian Davis said it was a bowl the players didn’t exactly want to be in because of the outside issues clouding the program.

“That was just a bowl we basically accepted on behalf of the seniors that year,” Davis said.

But Davis, Sheppard and the Razorbacks believe their bowl experience has been much different this season.

Arkansas is inching closer to Saturday’s game against East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl and the Razorbacks are expecting a better ending.

Arkansas also is in search of its first bowl win since 2003, when the Hogs beat Missouri in the Independance Bowl. Sheppard, who is part of a senior class that is 0-2 in bowl games, said the Razorbacks are much more focused on winning this season.

Davis said it’s nice not having the distractions.

“I think it’s a better situation for us,” Davis said. “We’re not worried about who is going to be our coach, things like that. We’re just focusing on football. We’re here the whole week focusing on football and preparing ourselves to win this game.”

New Venue
Arkansas practiced on a synthetic turf surface for the first time since arriving in Memphis on Monday.

The Razorbacks shifted their practices from the grass fields at Rhodes College to Memphis University School. The change created some challenges, forcing players to dress out at Rhodes College and make the 15-minute bus trip to their new practice field.

But Petrino said making the move was important.

“It was good to be out there and see the type of speed we’re gonna have, the timing of everything, the timing of the receivers and the quarterback,” Petrino said. “You know, the last couple of days we were kind of taking care of ourselves, making sure we weren’t going to hurt anything on our cuts. But (Wednesday) was good to be able to do it full speed.”

Check Him Out
Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson knows the Razorbacks need to be wary of East Carolina receiver Dwayne Harris. Robinson sounded like he has used some of the gatherings involving both teams to get a closer look at Harris this week.

“I got a chance to eyeball him on Monday,” Robinson said, likely referencing the welcome dinner for both teams. “I wanted to see what he looked like because in pads he’s really a special football player.”

But Robinson didn’t just look at the 6-foot, 205-pound receiver. He got his hands on him, too.

“I happened to grab him by the arm just to check him out,” he said. “They all wear these baggy clothes. I wanted to see what he was like and he’s rock solid.”

Defensive Lapse
Petrino may have been pleased with the offense’s work on turf, but Robinson said his group looked a little “tired” during Wednesday’s practice.

“I’m not sure what the reason was,” Robinson said. “It wasn’t quite as focused as it had been and we’ve been going high-speed, full-tilt boogey. (Wednesday) we kind of took a lapse. It was kind of disappointing. But I know we’ll respond to it.”

Arkansas will be back on the practice field this morning, holding its final workout before the Liberty Bowl. The team will hold a walk-through Friday.