Senior running back Michael Smith is expected to play Saturday after sitting out two of the last three games due to a hamstring injury, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Thursday afternoon.

Bobby Petrino, left, is all for improve football facilities, especially locker rooms. (Northwest Arkansas Newspapers/ANTHONY REYES))

Cornerback Ramon Broadway, however, is still being evaluated. Broadway did not play last Saturday in Arkansas’ 63-27 loss because of an injured left hamstring.

“He’s done a nice job in short area and change of direction stuff, but hasn’t really opened it up full speed yet,” Petrino said. “I need to watch that video and see how he did.”

When I talked to Broadway yesterday, he said he was unsure if he’ll start Saturday and deemed himself a “game-time” decision.

CB Andru Stewart did not practice or play last week, but has an opportunity to get back in the fold against South Carolina on Saturday. Petrino wouldn’t say Thursday whether Stewart will play. We’ll find out Saturday morning, I guess.

Also, as you’ve seen here on the Slophouse today, we’ve been talking plenty about Arkansas initiating the process of perhaps building new facilities such as a football operations center and basketball practice facility. Click here to read much more on that, including our conversation with athletic director Jeff Long concerning the potential master plan during a teleconference Thursday.

Here are Petrino’s thoughts, via video:

I’ll be blogging from the LeMoyne-Owen-Arkansas basketball exhibition tonight at Bud Walton Arena, so keep it here. And pick up a copy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for much more coverage from all of Thursday’s football and basketball news.

— Brandon Marcello