7 hours Ago By By OTIS KIRK Special to the Batesville Guard
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is set to take on Texas Tech in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in a matchup of old Southwest Conference rivals. The Arkansas team is missing several players who have either opted out of the game or entered the transfer portal. The defense seems to be in a little better shape than the offense that is thin at most of the positions.
One of the key players returning on defense is linebacker Xavian Sorey, who topped the team in tackles. On Wednesday he talked about why he chose to return for another season. "I would say my teammates and just my coach," Sorey said.
"For me, I just wanted to be with my coach another year, Coach T-Will, and just be around the guys. You know, that’s really it. My coaches and my teammates.
" Sorey had 89 tackles, 36 solo, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup and an interception in his first year since transferring in from Georgia. Sorey and the Hogs are preparing for Texas Tech. "I think they’re a good offense," Sorey said.
"They’ve got a good scheme going on. They’ve got a good running back, too, I know. Overall good team, I would say.
We’ve got to prepare for them like we do every other team and go out there and just play our ball, play our type of game." Starting quarterback Behren Morton handled almost all the quarterback snaps this season. He has had surgery and won't play in the game.
Reserve Will Hammond was 15 of 23 for 191 yards and a touchdown. "It’s not a lot of film, neither," Sorey said. "But like I said, it’s a good scheme, so within their scheme, I feel like it’ll be good.
It’ll be straight. He’s there for a reason. I’m sure he went through camp and did all that and took reps.
It’s not like he never played football before, so we’re going to prepare for him like he’s the starter, which he is." Anthony Switzer missed some action late in the season due to injury, but he's back ready to play in the game. "Man, he’s looking good," Sorey said.
"He was striking something today, I’ll tell you that." Sorey and Stephen Dix Jr. both opted to come back for a second season with the Hogs.
Was it a decision made together? "We didn’t, it kind of just happened," Sorey said. "I feel like for both of us, we’ve kind of got to do what’s best for us, and that was best for both of us to come back. We didn't talk about it before like, ‘Man, are you coming back? I’m gonna come back too, If you come back.
’ The conversation ain't go like that. It kind of just happened. And, you know, it's what it is.
" With Brad Spence transferring to Texas, true freshman Brad Shaw might get a chance to showcase his skills in the bowl. "Brad, he’s just steady climbing," Sorey said. "Every day, every week, he just get better and better.
I been saying, I think he’ll ball out. I know he’ll ball out. He’s good.
Just to see him, it’s nice to see him, be around him and just watch him grow. Be around and watch him grow, it’s nice." The bowl game will decide if the Hogs finish 7-6 or with a losing record, 6-7.
"I feel like it’s going to leave a bad taste in our mouth," Sorey said if the Hogs lose. "The teams that we lost to, we’re gonna wanna not lose to them again. The offseason, just having something to work towards.
That’s really it. I don’t think we should let it effect us a lot bad, but I don’t know..
." The kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
on Friday, Dec. 27, and televised on ESPN..
