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Razorback defensive lineman, Jonathan Marshall has played admirably for his team in 2020. He is the strongest player on this football team and he has proven it through the first three games. Marshall has pressured the quarterback well each week and has allowed linebackers and secondary players to pick up tackles and cause havoc in the opponents backfield often this season.
Today he met with the media to talk about how his team is preparing for the game against Ole Miss on Saturday.
“I feel great about the defense. We are doing everything we are coached to do and it is showing a lot. I am confident in us,” said Marshall.
When a team captain mentions having a load of confidence in his team that is a very good thing. The defensive line is the starting point of each play and every down is important. Marshall’s ability to get to Ole Miss quarterback, Matt Corral will be key to Arkansas having a chance to win on Saturday.
Obviously, Arkansas has not won a SEC conference game inside of Razorback Stadium since November 5, 2016. That is a span of 11 conference games and Marshall says that is on their minds this week in hopes of picking a victory up this week.
“We really want to break that (home SEC losing streak). Everyone is working hard to end that. We want to break the curse,” said Marshall.
To be able to end the losing streak Arkansas has to slow down an Ole Miss Rebel offense that just came off a historic offensive output versus Alabama. The Rebels have also put up 35+ points for three straight games for the first time in school history. Yeah, that’s wild!
“Ole Miss is an explosive offense,” said Marshall. “They are tempo and they are very good at running and passing.”
The defense didn’t tackle as well on Saturday as they had in their first two SEC matchups. This week, Marshall mentioned there was a focus set on being a better tackling team. Against Ole Miss they will really have to be if they want to stop an offense that feeds off open space in the defense and kill you with speed.
“When we have time to get set it will be a different story. We are will stop them the best we can,” said Marshall.
Being back home inside Razorback Stadium for the second time this season will be big. Having the fans return and hopefully causing the opposing offense trouble will be another key to winning. Marshall mentioned that having fans, even if just a reduced amount, has an affect on the game.
“Against Georgia it got pretty loud in there,” said Marshall. “It was louder than expected a lot of times. I think it will feel good playing back inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.”
Arkansas will return home this Saturday when they host Ole Miss. The Razorbacks and Rebels will meet for the 66th time on Saturday at 2:30 PM and the game will be televised by ESPN2. Arkansas leads the series against Ole Miss at 36-29-1.