Chad Morris on Nick Starkel, Texas A&M and Kellen Mond ahead of Saturday’s game

Quarterback Nick Starkel began his college career at Texas A&M. This Saturday, he will face the Aggies as the starting quarterback for Arkansas.

Razorbacks head coach Chad Morris commented Wednesday that he likes what he sees from Starkel this season, saying he “understands each week he will grow and mature in this offense.”

Starkel has thrown for 910 passing yards while averaging 8.0 yards per attempt with seven touchdowns, but he does have six interceptions in four games. Starkel threw five interceptions with three touchdowns last week against San Jose State.

Arkansas lost to San Jose State, 31-24. Morris said the entire team will be “excited to get out and get the performance” from last week “out of their system.”

Texas A&M is also coming off a defeat, as the Aggies lost to Auburn last week, 28-20. Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond hasn’t rushed for more than 26 yards in a season this year, but Morris says that will likely change this week. He said “given the breakdowns we have said,” he expects Mond to try to run the ball against the Razorbacks and that his defense has to be ready for that this Saturday.

Here’s what else Morris said Wednesday:

• On Trey Knox, Hammonds, Hayden: Chace Hayden is out, Treylon Burks should be back, Trey Knox should be back, TJ Hammonds will be a part of our game plan.
• On A&M’s offense: The decision making of Kellen, the speed they have, the size of their WRs. It’s impressive to watch them. Coach does a good job teaching his players.
• On Starkel and Boyd playing the Aggies: I think with Nick and Rakeem, they have teammates, friends on the other team, there is a history. I’m sure there will be an extra incentive, but I don’t think that takes away from their play
• On naming Starkel the starter: His arm strength is incredible, he sees the field really well. during fall camp, his progression and growth in the offense, I felt that if he continued, the opportunity to start would exist for him… we needed a spark in the 2nd half against Ole Miss and he provided that, did it again against Colorado State.
• On A&M connections: We are at the point, playing in Dallas, an area that is part of our footprint… I think it goes back to how we perform more than who we play.
• On getting Starkel to not think about A&M: You can only do so much of that… he graduated there, has an understanding of the players, he invested time there… watching him this week, I would think nothing less than Nick being locked in and focused on his ability this week.
• On Mond running the ball: I think you will see it this week, I fully expect that, given the breakdowns we have had… we will be on high alert for that.
• On the OL responding: They responded extremely well… Sunday night’s prep was as good as we’ve had… 5 of the last 7 years, they are on a 7 game win streak, but 5 of them have gone done to one score…

Dave Holcomb

Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.