FAYETTEVILLE -- Sophomore running back Braylen Russell will be back close to his home in Benton on Saturday when the Razorbacks take on Arkansas State in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium.
Russell rushed 11 times for 41 yards in a 52-7 win over Alabama A&M last Saturday. Russell is excited for Saturday's game.
"I’m just excited to get out there and play against some familiar faces I played with in high school, like Walker Davis and them. So I’ll chat with them after the game. We’re excited to just go out there and be the first ones to play Arkansas State."
The offense executed extremely well on Saturday. Russell praised quarterback Taylen Green for his performance against A&M.
"Taylen Green played his butt off," Russell said. "You know we had six people catch touchdowns, so that was really good for us and we’re just looking to build on that. And what we’re working on practice is we’re working on what we work on every week, I mean getting better, growing in our craft."
Russell had a drive early in the third quarter where he carried the football seven times. The drive ended when Green hit tight end Andreas Paaske for a 5-yard touchdown. Russell was asked if that was good for his flow?
"It does but I’m just here to do whatever the team needs me to do at any point in the game," Russell said. "Coach tells me when I go out there look to get the ball, look to block. Whatever the team needs me to do then I’m going out there to do it."
Russell relayed what Sam Pittman has said to the team about playing Arkansas State for the first time in history.
"Ah yeah, he really just pointed out that it’s a blessing to be the first Razorback team to go play in Little Rock and play Arkansas State," Russell said. "It’s never been done before so he really just is saying, ‘Soak it all in and get ready to play.’"
Russell has previous experience playing in War Memorial Stadium. Benton faced Bryant in the Salt Bowl.
"A lot of fans," Russell said. "People come out to Little Rock. Conway comes out, Bryant, everyone comes out to Little Rock. It's going to be pretty packed this Saturday and we're ready to play."
Russell talked about what the running backs need to do for more yardage than they got against A&M on Saturday.
"As a running back room, like he said, be more consistent," Russell said. "Knowing what to do every play and being more consistent at it, and getting more yards per carry."
Russell heard the questions about the wide receivers going into the season before they put on a show Saturday in the opener.
"There was never a question for me," Russell said. "I watched them every day. I watched them improve. I watched them practice. So, it was never really a question for us as a team. We know what they can do. And I just thank God that they were able to go out there and showcase what they can do in front of y'all."
Russell and the Razorbacks are big favorites on Saturday. Russell is downplaying that.
"I think we have to stay within us," Russell said. "You go and think about matching other people is when you are doing something wrong. So going and just being within ourselves is the main purpose of this team."
Arkansas and Arkansas State will kickoff at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ and the SECNetwork+.
