The Alabama football team is perfecting its offense in preparation for its game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday. Right tackle DJ Fluker said the offensive line has worked to eliminate sacks in practice after allowing quarterback AJ McCarron to be pummeled six times in last week’s game against Western Kentucky. The offensive linemen have performed extra repetitions to better protect their quarter against the Razorbacks.
“Anytime you play in the SEC or the type of teams we play, your body’s always going to be sore during the season,” McCarron said. “The way we practice, I mean, your body’s just going to be sore. But I’m fine. Ready to go.”
Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker said the Tide will enter the game against Arkansas with a better mindset than the one it had against WKU. Both Fluker and McCarron said head coach Nick Saban has demanded a better attitude towards the game against the Razorbacks. McCarron said he was disappointed in the game against the Hilltoppers although the Tide moved to 2-0 on the season.
Arkansas motivated after loss
McCarron said Alabama is preparing to face a team that will be hungry for a win after a disappointing loss last weekend to Louisiana-Monroe. The offense is studying the blitz the Arkansas defense will likely run against the Tide. McCarron said the Tide coaching staff has done a great job devising plays that will deceive opponents’ defenses.
“They’ve still got a chance to win the SEC,” McCarron said. “They’re definitely going to throw everything in the book at us. We’re going to have to be ready for the things they’ve shown on film and the things that they haven’t shown and new things they’re going to come up with.”
Perry plays bigger role in Tide defense
Safety Nick Perry, who started Saturday’s game in place of Vinnie Sunseri, said the Tide defense is priming to play against a mature quarterback in Arkansas’s Tyler Wilson. Perry said the team is focused on itself, rather than whether Wilson will play, due to the uncertainty of a head injury he received against Louisiana-Monroe last weekend.
“This game is going to pave the way for the rest of the season,” Perry said. “I believe we can handle this big-time road challenge.”
Perry said the Alabama players are helping each other improve throughout this season. He noted Robert Lester as a player who pushes him to stay motivated and progress.
The junior also said Jarrick Williams’ injury affected him in both a positive and a negative way. The two were friends when they came in together as freshmen and always dreamed of playing together on the field. Williams told Perry to play hard for them both this season to motivate his teammate.