FAYETTEVILLE — Chris Marshall was the problem.
That's the joke Arkansas football offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey dished out during his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Marshall has been one of the best wide receivers in the country, and he was the only bright spot for a lethargic Hogs' offense through the first quarter of the season. But Arkansas' first SEC win of the year against Vanderbilt coincided with an injury to the star pass-catcher.
Now, the Razorbacks (3-4, 1-3 SEC) have their sights on their first league winning streak since 2021. As they prepare to face No. 23 Missouri (5-2, 2-2) this weekend, Cramsey isn't joking when he acknowledges Marshall's absence could have been a blessing in disguise.
"As far as KJ (Jackson), it did kind of force him to go through his reads and trust his reads," Cramsey said. "I thought he had one of his best, if not his best game, running the ball and throwing the ball."
Cramsey said Marshall first sensed a leg injury on the game's third play. By the time the Razorbacks emerged out of the halftime locker room, the Boise State transfer was in sweat pants.
Antonio Jordan was the top target and hauled in five catches during a breakout performance. Jamari Hawkins had two receptions. Otherwise, four different wide receivers hauled in one catch.
Cramsey was pleased with the play of the position without Marshall, but he admitted that Jordan got the majority of targets after he made two key grabs on the final drive of the first half that led to a touchdown.
Arkansas expects Marshall to return vs. Missouri. Cramsey said the wide out ran routes on Tuesday and had "a great practice". The Hogs are being careful with his reps, knowing how valuable his 43 catches, 663 receiving yards and two touchdowns have been this fall. No other wide receiver has more than eight receptions.
The key is now maximizing Jordan as a second-option and getting both wide receivers on the field together.
"I think the more we can move those guys around, the better off," Ryan Silverfield said. "I do think there's certainly personnel packages where we have both of those guys out there on the field at once. Gives us more size."
Other Arkansas football notes from coordinator press conferences
- Cramsey said getting Jackson involved in the running game settles the quarterback down. He described it as a rare trait, but Arkansas is leaning into it. Jackson had 11 carries against Vanderbilt.
- The offensive line had its best performance of the season against an exotic Commodores' defense. The challenge changes this weekend against Missouri. Cramsey said the Tigers blitz on 3% of their defensive downs and are patient in trying to get an opposing offense off the field. The Hogs must match that patience and take what's given to them.
- Center Kash Courtney continues to receive heaps of praise from Cramsey. The offensive coordinator credited the zero sacks allowed vs. Vanderbilt to the sophomore's communication at the line of scrimmage.
- Braylen Russell got 14 carries against Vanderbilt and Cramsey liked the junior's decisiveness. It's been a mystery why the in-state product hasn't had a bigger role in the offense, but the coaches say he's practicing better and that led to a strong performance in Week 7.
- Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts said Quincy Rhodes is a better player this fall despite his sack numbers (3) not yet matching the production from 2025 (8). Roberts believes Rhodes is tougher against the run and is rushing the passer with better discipline.
- Roberts said Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons separates himself with accuracy and composure. The lefty doesn't let oncoming defensive linemen distract his target and is able to get the ball out quickly to the right receiver.
- Roberts challenged his cornerbacks to be better against the run earlier this month. On Tuesday, he said strides have been made, but there can still be improvement. The secondary is going to play a massive role this weekend in stopping Missouri's wide-zone running scheme.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Why Chris Marshall injury was blessing in disguise for Arkansas football