Devwah Whaley is set to spearhead a University of Arkansas running game that has improved throughout the summer, according to offensive co-ordinator Dan Enos.

The Razorbacks begin their season against Football Championship Subdivision side Florida A&M tomorrow night in Little Rock, with Bermudian Whaley nailed in as the No 1 running back on their depth chart.

One thing Enos is keen to see is an improvement in their ground game, which ranked 11th out of 14 teams in the Southeastern Conference last season and 77th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The offensive co-ordinator is certain that the chemistry between the running backs and offensive line has improved enough to lead to an increase in rushing productivity this season.

“If you aren’t moving people up front it’s hard to move the ball because there’s no seams,” Enos told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “That’s running game 101. But the big thing we’ve been emphasising is the backs be in sync with the offensive line and the tight ends and everyone understanding the physicality and strain it takes to run the ball.”

The season promises to be a pivotal one for Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema. The former University of Wisconsin head man is on the hot seat in Fayetteville, having failed to bring the same success he had with the Badgers to Arkansas.

A solid showing from sophomore Whaley, who rushed for 602 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman in 2016, would go a long way to helping his job security.