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Fraternizing with the enemy: Talking Mississippi State vs Arkansas with Austin Farmer

Austin Farmer of Razorbackers gave us the rundown on the Hogs before their trip to Starkville.

By Andrew Miller

Oct 19, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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Q: Lost in the struggles of last season was the fact that DC Travis Williams did a solid job of improving that unit, and Arkansas has been pretty good defensively this season as well. What has made that unit successful, and where do they need to show improvement?

A: I love Travis Williams.  He’s my favorite coach on the staff, along with Deke Adams, the defensive line coach. While statistically, the defense is better this year than last, I don’t believe last year‘s defense was all that bad. I blame the offense and special teams. In at least three of Arkansas's losses in 2023, the opposing offense had an average starting position between their 40-yard-line and the 50-yard-line. You can’t ask a defense to stop the other team consistently when that happens.

However, what makes the defense work is Arkansas‘s front seven. They're very good at stopping the run and are getting better every game in the past Rush. Our secondary could use a little work, especially at the corner position. To be fair, we’ve lost a lot of key DBs from last season. Jaylin Braxton, our star corner, has been out for most of the season while Dwight McGlothern is playing in the NFL with the Vikings.

Q: The Hogs went from one big, strong, mobile QB in KJ Jefferson and replaced him with another in Taylen Green. What stands out about his game?

A: Yeah, he’s fast. To quote the longest yard, "he makes fast people look not fast." He’s a long strider, and his speed is deceptive. People take bad angles on him all the time. But like KJ, Green can take hits, too. If you want some examples, watch the Auburn highlights where he went airborne three times.

Although he’s not a consistent passer, he’ll make some of the best passes you’ve ever seen. Arkansas’s first touchdown against Texas A&M was a beautiful pass to TeSlaa after scrambling to avoid a sack. He’s a much better passer on the run than in the pocket, so teams have spied him a lot. However, sometimes it doesn’t matter because he can out-athlete guys.

Next: Q&A Cont.

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