Chad Morris’s first season hasn’t gone as expected in Fayetteville but you have to give his team credit for continuing to fight this late into the season with nothing left to play for, in terms of postseason opportunity.

The LSU game was an ugly one for three quarters before the Razorbacks found some success on offense and came back to within striking distance against a top 10 opponent. This weekend could be much of the same playing on the road in Starkville against one of the SEC’s best defenses.

However, one thing that will be different for the Razorbacks — Devwah Whaley will finally be back in the lineup. The team’s starting running back was having a good season before suffering an injury in the Ole Miss game. Whaley has been on the practice field all week and is preparing to make his return. Along with the explosive Rakeem Boyd, the two tailbacks should make for an excellent backfield to close out the season for Morris.

“I think Devwah is really excited. He was out here yesterday, starting running around a little bit on Sunday, went thru practice yesterday and it was really good to see him out here,” Morris said on Wednesday following the recent Arkansas practice. “I think he and Rakeem make a really good tandem out here. That’s what Devwah was wanting. We thought we were going to have that against Ole Miss and we had a great 1-2 punch but unfortunately, he got hurt.”

Before going down to injury, Whaley had 298 yards and two touchdowns rushing on the season.

The Arkansas coach had less optimistic news on defensive lineman Briston Guidry when asked on Wednesday.

“Right now he’s doubtful (knee). That’s kinda where we are with him,” Morris said.

Although the news up front isn’t all bad. It looks like Dorian Gerald’s absence was only temporary.

“Dorian Gerald is full-go. He actually had a toothache, had a tooth pulled, but he’s back out here today,” the Arkansas coach revealed.

The Razorbacks will need all the help they can get on Saturday playing in hostile Davis Wade Stadium as Mississippi State is 5-1 on the season at home.