Five players to watch for Arkansas football in Week 2 against Kent State

Individual matchups can alter the final score of any college football game, with each week presenting new responsibilities and challenges up and down a program's roster.

This week, Arkansas football should have no trouble fending off a Kent State team that lost 56-6 in its season-opener against UCF, but there are still exciting storylines to watch within the Razorbacks' roster.

Here are five players to watch for Arkansas in the matchup against the Golden Flashes (Saturday, 3 p.m. CT, SEC Network):

All of the running backs

Okay, we're cheating here, but this is the biggest storyline entering Week 2. Rocket Sanders is out with knee swelling and all four backups have to see a major opportunity this week against a porous Kent State run defense.

AJ Green and Rashod Dubinion are the favorites to handle a bulk of the carries, but don't sleep on Dominique Johnson and freshman Isaiah Augustave.

If one player separates himself Saturday, does he become the clear-cut backup when Sanders returns? Or, maybe even the long-term starter if Sanders' absence extends into the SEC season.

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Antonio Grier, LB

The South Florida transfer arrived in Fayetteville with expectations of a huge role, but an injury during fall camp and the ascension of Jaheim Thomas, another transfer have bumped Grier down the pecking order.

After missing Week 1 with an injury, Sam Pittman said Grier should play against Kent State, and he figures to get a lot of reps with Chris Paul Jr. suspended for the first half due to a targeting penalty. This is the Arkansas coaches final chance to look at players before the schedule really heats up with a home game against BYU and four grueling travel weeks in the SEC.

Landon Jackson, DE

There was only one disappointment when Coach Pittman reflected on his defense's performance against Western Carolina last week.

"I wish our defensive line was more aggressive," he said during the SEC Teleconference Wednesday. "I wish they would've made more plays. We had individuals make some good plays, but as a unit, I think we can play better, and we're expected to play better."

Arkansas had two sacks against WCU, but both came from defensive tackles. The outside rush was underwhelming, and Jackson will be hoping to kickstart his junior season this week against Kent State.

Isaiah Sategna, WR

Jaedon Wilson made the big plays out of the slot for Arkansas last week. Maybe Sategna responds this week with a good game of his own in that position battle?

But Sategna also makes an impact on special teams, and the Fayetteville native looked dangerous as a punt and kick returner against WCU.

Jayden Johnson, S

The breakout star from Week 1, how does Johnson follow up his performance and try to build consistency throughout the season? There's no room for the junior to rest on his laurels.

"What you're always concerned about is it happens and then you become content with, well I showed you I can do it," Pittman said "We’ve obviously talked to Jayden about some of those things too. I think he likes where he’s at."

There's an experienced senior in Hudson Clark waiting and available if Johnson does slip, but the coaches and fellow defensive players are all confident that Johnson's strong start to the season is a sign of better things to come.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Five Arkansas football players to watch against Kent State