FAYETTEVILLE - Though last playing Oct. 10 and exiting early during the 30-28 loss at Auburn, Arkansas cornerback Montaric Brown shouldn’t be rusty for Saturday night's game at Texas A&M.

Arkansas (2-2) and No. 8 Texas A&M (3-1) kick off at 6:30 p.m  Saturday on the SEC Network at A&M’s Kyle Field.

The Razorbacks had an open date for Brown to heal after missing the 33-21 victory over Ole Miss on Oct. 17, but apparently Brown did more than was realized.

“To be honest with you, he practiced the week of Ole Miss,,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said Thursday. “He practiced non-contact, but he practiced then didn't get cleared (to play against Ole Miss).  And then last week he practiced. Then he finally got cleared as of Sunday. So, he's had 11 practices since he hasn't played. I think he'll be ready to go.”

Hudson Clark, the redshirt freshman cornerback replacing Brown when Brown was injured against Auburn and then gaining national prominence by snaring three interceptions against Ole Miss, and Brown will start together for the first time Saturday night.

TAKING ALL SIDES
Swapping sides will be no problem for Brown and Clark, Pittman said.

“It's all about cross-training,” Pittman said regarding how defensive coordinator/safeties coach Barry Odom and cornerbacks coach Sam Carter prepare the defensive backs. “I wouldn't be shocked if all of them hadn't played every position up there in the secondary. We feel very comfortable with those guys playing either side on corners and nickel. The way we practiced early helped us with that, and we have full confidence they can do that. But more importantly they have confidence they can do it. I think we're ready to go. They can play either side."

INJURY REPORT
Senior defensive end Dorian Gerald, out since injuring his foot during the 37-10 season opening loss to Georgia, and more likely junior weakside linebacker Bumper Pool, out since injured against Auburn, could be active against Texas A&M.

“Dorian looked a little bit better yesterday,” Pittman said. “We’re going to take him on the trip, then we’ll find out a little more how he is after practice today, and then we’ll find out how he is in pregame and see if he can go or not.”

Pool, with SEC and national Player of the Week recognition for his 20 tackles during the 21-14 victory Oct. 3 at Mississippi State, has practiced this week and appears likely to be available.

The Razorbacks held three non-contact practices during their bye week but “amped it up” Pittman said in Tuesday and Wednesday practices then tapered with today’s lighter practice.

“We know we’re going to be in a physical game,” Pittman said hitting full pads Tuesday and Wednesday.  “We went (first offense vs. first defense) several times this week for the physicality of what we’re going to get Saturday night.

"Last week was kind of our week to heal up. We have been smart with Dorian and Bumper, but the rest of the team banged heads pretty good this week.”

BAUER HAS LEG UP
For the first three games, Pittman and special teams coordinator Scott Fountain variously employed George Caratan, Sam Loy and Reid Bauer as punters.

However, against Ole Miss third-year sophomore Bauer punted all seven times for a 46.9 yard average including two inside the 20 and two for touchbacks.

Bauer was Arkansas’ regular punter in 2018 but redshirted last year when former Vanderbilt punter Loy did most of the punting.

“I don't think Reid is our every-situation punter,” Pittman said.  “But he certainly has earned the right to punt for us, I know that. He's done a nice job.”

HOLD-UP MEN
While not interested in hiring bank robbers, Pittman does seek a few good hold-up men.

Hold-up men for Arkansas’ punt return team.

“We have to be a better hold-up team on punt return,” Pittman said.  “Obviously getting Treylon Burks (Arkansas’ top punt returner used only at receiver since an injury) back will help us in the punt return game. But we have to do a better job holding up.”

And protecting the punter, which Arkansas performed cleanly against Ole Miss but not earlier this season, including a Caratan punt that Auburn not only blocked but recovered for a touchdown.

“The punt team has been a concern all year,” Pittman said, “and it's been a concern for us all week, trying to make sure we get off the line of scrimmage, get it covered, and try to be ready for any block looks A&M had in the past.”