After Arkansas (4-3, 2-2, SEC) recorded a season-low 38 rushing yards in the 34-10 blowout loss to No. 8 LSU (6-1, 3-0, SEC) in Week 8, the Razorbacks hope to revive the rushing attack when they take on Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4, SEC) in Starkville this Saturday. The Hogs could be without standout running back Ja’Quinden Jackson who is dealing with an ankle injury.
Jackson has led the Hogs on the ground with 592 yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 carries (5.7 avg.), but he hasn’t had a 100-yard rushing effort since Week 3. Head coach Sam Pittman discussed his eagerness to let freshman Braylen Russell get more touches on Monday. Russell has only rushed 27 times for 127 yards (4.7 avg.) with four touchdowns this season. He had a breakout performance against No. 7 Tennessee, racking up eight carries for 62 yards (7.8 avg.), but he has the chance to solidify a role for himself for the remainder of the season against the Bulldogs if Jackson can’t suit up.
“It would be great for him to be able to run the ball,” center Addison Nichols said. “He’s big, physical, hard to tackle, and he runs the ball really, really well. He does a great job. I think that would be an amazing thing for him to be able to run the ball for us. He has our full trust, and we know he’s going to go out there and run the ball for the Hogs like nobody’s business. He’s done an amazing job so far this season and I’d love to go see him eat.”…