FAYETTEVILLE -- Running back Mike Washington is one of the key members of Bobby Petrino's offense.
Washington transferred to Arkansas from New Mexico State at midterm. Washington has rushed for 393 yards and four touchdowns on 61 carries. He also has caught seven passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. With Petrino now serving as interim head coach instead of offensive coordinator how has practice changed?
"Great pace," Washington said. "In terms of the offense, it hasn’t really change. In terms of the pace, scheme, kind of the same and just really energetic."
While Arkansas' defense has drawn most of the negative attention the offense has also sputtered in the second half of the last three games. The Hogs have just scored 10 combined points in the second half of the three losses.
"Just got to finish," Washington said. "I feel like, the first half we’ll come out strong and then it’s kind of evident that we’ve run out of gas in the second half. So that’s been the emphasis the past couple weeks is really just finishing."
Following the 56-13 loss to Notre Dame, Sam Pittman and three defensive assistants were fired. How is the locker room now?
"I think the biggest thing about our team is everybody's still bought in," Washington said. "So we're still looking to compete these next few weeks and win out."
Washington was asked his reaction to the coaches being fired?
"At first, I was kind of shocked," Washington said. "I didn't expect it to happen after that game. I didn't expect that to happen at all. But I kind of had to have short-term memory because we still have the rest of the season of play. Then going into the meeting, Coach Petrino, he came in with energy, told us how he wants the rest of the season to be. Now we're all bought in. That's the best thing about the transition."
Washington kept things simple during the bye week.
"I just stayed at the crib with my dog," Washington said. "That’s it."
Now that the bye week is behind the team, Washington has had a chance to watch film of Tennessee's defense.
"They have a great defense, but a lot of holes," Washington said. "So it’s going to be a lot of holes in their defense, so it’s going to be a fun game."
Arkansas and Tennessee will kickoff at 3:15 on Saturday and televised on the SEC Network.
