FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas running back Braylen Russell and his teammates will face Auburn on Saturday.

Russell has carried the ball 44 times for 248 yards and three touchdowns this season. He's also pulled in four passes for another 27 yards. Arkansas is averaging 500 yards of offense each game.

"Just practicing hard and executing and doing the things we do on the practice field and just bringing it to the game," Russell said.

Russell was also quick to credit the offensive line including right tackle E'Marion Harris who was next to the running back at the press conference on Zoom.

"I mean, I love ‘em," Russell said. "I’ve got Big E sitting right here. You’ve got to love them. They’re a reason that we move forward and do good things on the field."

Harris chimed in on the offense putting up big numbers this season.

"I mean, I’ll just say just always wanting to score when we touch the field," Harris said. "That’s always our No. 1 goal when we touch the field is to go score."

Russell also credited the fans last Saturday in the 45-42 loss to No. 4 Texas A&M. He hopes they show up and provide same atmosphere for an 11:45 a.m. kickoff.

"I loved it," Russell said. "It was loud and the fans were into the game. It was a great atmosphere. I hope we can do it again and make it loud again in there."

On Monday, Bobby Petrino talked about the need to score touchdowns, not field goals, when in the red zone.

"Um … executing the way he wants us to execute the plays," Russell said. "I mean, there’s only one football and there’s a lot of us out there. So whoever scores we’re going to be happy. I mean we’re going to celebrate. We’ll be happy for whoever scores because, I mean, that could be you and you want the person beside you to be happy for you when you score. So we’re going to be happy when we score and we’re going to play good."

Russell has shared carries with Mike Washington this season. The transfer has had back to back 100-yard rushing games.

"Mike’s outstanding," Russell said. "I mean, Mike, when he first came in, I just knew he was going to be good. He’s a really good person to learn from. With me just being a sophomore and still being young, um, going up to Mike. I can ask Mike and Rodney (Hill) questions about just football stuff. And they give it to me still. You never can be too hot?? Hard?? High?? not to learn. That’s what my dad always tells me, so I try to stay down and learn as much as I can."

In some formations, Russell and Washington are in the backfield together. When they do that Russell lines up at fullback. Russell was asked did he play any fullback at Benton High School?

"A little bit," Russell said. "I mean, I did a little bit when I was in high school, to answer your question about have I done it before. And yes, I’m loving it. Whatever the team needs me to do to win, let’s do it. Let’s ride."

Washington had a costly fumble late in the game against Memphis that prevented the Hogs from having a chance to win the game. Russell was asked how the running back room picked Washington up after that?

"I would say we stick together through thick-and-thin," Washington said. "I mean, it’s a game, football, it happens to the best of the best. We talk to each other. We get past it, but you can’t just dwell on something that happened a week ago. You got to put it behind you, put one foot in front of the other and keep going."

Petrino took over as interim head coach when Sam Pittman was fired following a big loss to Notre Dame. Any difference in Petrino as offensive coordinator to now interim head coach?

"Same old, same old for me," Russell said. "I would say, Coach Petrino is Coach Petrino. Very humble guy. Very nice. He’s going to get in your butt when it’s time to work, but same old, same old for me."

Saturday will mark the second of three SEC home games in a row. How big is that and can it help the team?

"It’s going to be great because the fans are behind us," Russell said. "What they did last week was outstanding. We love, like, when we’re on the field and hear the fans cheering for us, it’s a great feeling. 

"I mean, would you rather sleep in your bed or somebody else’s? Would you rather stay the night in somebody else’s bed or go sleep in yours? That’s how I would put it, so yes, we love to be home. Get the fans and you know, everybody into the game. Let’s just play some football."

Russell has a plan on how he will take advantage of the opportunities in Saturday's game against a very good Auburn defense.

"Run hard," Russell said. "Give it to God. Give him all the glory for when he lets one of us run a good run, and play football. That’s all I can say."

Arkansas (2-5, 0-3) will be home again on Saturday when they play host to Auburn (3-4, 0-4) at 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network. Auburn fell to Missouri 23-17 Saturday night in Jordan-Hare Stadium.