Arkansas Makes Position Changes After Watching Scrimmage

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - (UA Sports Information) - After taking Sunday off, the Razorbacks returned to the practice fields behind Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for a short 30-minute practice in shorts and shells. It was the first time the team had the opportunity to correct mistakes from its scrimmage on Aug. 20. "We came out today and got some corrections done," Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. "As you saw in the scrimmage we had a few missed assignments. We also had some things that were done very well, but we still want to get 11 on offense and 11 on defense with everybody going 100 miles per hour and doing it the right way." In anticipation of the first game and after watching film from the scrimmage Nutt and his staff decided to change several players positions, including seniors Dedrick Poole and Clarke Moore, sophomore Matterral Richardson and freshman Kevin Thornton. "We made a few moves after the scrimmage as we turn the corner and get ready for our game in a couple weeks," Nutt said. "Dedrick Poole will be strictly on offense. He can play tailback, but were going to get him a little more involved in an h-back slot. Which is really a third receiver coming out of the backfield, shifting out. I think thats going to be a great role for him. He can run screens and reverses. "Defensively we moved Matterral Richardson from a corner to a safety and now theres going to be some competition between him and Randy Kelly," Nutt said. "We moved Clarke Moore. He was a second team defensive end and now hes second team middle linebacker. Hes played linebacker before. "We moved Kevin Thornton back to safety, his natural position," Nutt said. "We appreciate his attitude. We tried to move him up and it didnt work out so we moved him back. All these moves were made because were trying to put the best 11 on the football field." Starting quarterback Robert Johnson returned to normal drills after resting a pulled groin from last week. Johnson did not participate in Saturdays scrimmage and was looking forward to getting back out on the practice field. "Robert Johnson looked good today and I think he felt good," Nutt said. "I know hes glad to be back out here and he wanted to be out here last week, so that was good. I expect him to be ready to go." Arkansas will practice again on Tuesday. UAs home opener is against Missouri State University on Sept. 3, in Fayetteville, with a kickoff time scheduled for 6 p.m.