Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

10/19/2009 at 8:12pm

Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard should not have been called for a fourth-quarter personal foul in Saturday's game against Florida, the Southeastern Conference office said on Monday.

The SEC released a statement saying the play had been singled out after the league's weekly review of games. Sheppard was flagged for a 15-yard penalty that aided a Florida scoring drive, giving the Gators first-and-goal at the 10.

Florida scored on the next play to tie the game at 20 with 7:27 remaining. Eventualy the Gators won the game 23-20.

"We did communicate to Arkansas that, after video review, there was no evidence on the video to support the personal foul penalty called on Arkansas midway through the fourth quarter," the SEC said in statement released Monday.

Arkansas included the Sheppard play and a number of others in a complaint lodged with the SEC. Each week teams submit plays or calls for review.

Among the other plays submitted was a pass interference call against Ramon Broadway prior to the play on which Sheppard was flagged. Other calls were "judgment calls" and the league did not single them out as being incorrect like they did on the personal foul call against Shepard.

So what does it mean? Not much.

Essentially, a statement from the league is as far as it goes. Arkansas has no real recourse. The Razorbacks don't get a victory.

Coach Bobby Petrino was guarded in his comments Monday. He said he'd spoken with the league's head of officials, Rogers Redding. That conversation did not "satisfy" Petrino.

Beyond that, Petrino didn't say much. Coaches can face reprimands from the league office for commenting on officiating.

Petrino was much more vocal on his coaches show. During "Inside Razorback Football With Bobby Petrino" the coach made several references to the officiating.

"It's unfortunate that in the fourth quarter there's probably three plays that the officials made a difference in the game." Petrino said.

Also on his show Petrino questioned a no-call on what looked like a late hit against running back Dennis Johnson. Petrino was breaking down a superb 21-yard run by the back-up tailback, when he added commentary on officiating.

"Most places that's a late hit. When they hit you when you're on the white, that's supposed to be a late hit, 15-yard penalty. Unfortunately at Florida, they don't call it that way."

Monday, Petrino said he was most disappointed in a no-call on what he thought was offensive pass interference. Florida's Riley Cooper pushed off on Arkansas' Andru Stewart, but officials did not call it.

"The call I thought hurt the most was the offensive pass interference in the end zone," Petrino said. "Maybe I shouldn't say the most, but it's the one I don't understand."

Interestingly, the crew that called the game was involved in a controversial call in the Georgia-LSU game on Oct. 3. In that game Georgia's A.J. Green was flagged for excessive celebration after a touchdown that gave the Bulldogs the lead.

LSU got more favorable field position on the ensuing kick off. The Tigers won the game on a touchdown two plays later and on the ensuing Monday, the SEC ruled the officials had made an improper call.

MISUNDERSTANDING
Ryan Mallett was one of the nation's top quarterback prospects when Houston Nutt forced him to play tight end at a summer football camp. It was a move that insulted Mallett and led him to mark Arkansas off his list.

At least that's the story according to message board lore.

Mallett, who played a season at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas last season, cleared things up on Monday when asked about it by a student reporter.

"That's not true at all," Mallett said. "One time at camp I asked to play the position just to mess around. People took that the wrong way. That had nothing to do with my choice in college."

LACK OF OPTIONS
Arkansas will continue to use Alex Tejada on field goals and extra points. Tejada hangs onto the job more or less by default.

Tejada was 2 for 4 on field goals against Florida. His misses from 38 and 40 yards are being pointed to as a difference in the game.

Despite Tejada's ongoing struggles, he'll hang on to the job.

"We don't have a lot of options there. He's got to get better," Petrino said.

EXCUSED ABSENCE
Where was Dennis Johnson late in Arkansas' game against Florida? Johnson was apparently on the sideline after sustaining a blow to the head.

Petrino told reporters he was happy with the way Johnson ran in picking up 107 yards on 14 carries. Petrino followed his praise of Johnson by saying he thinks back-up running backs in general need to do a better job of staying conditioned if they are asked to carry a bigger load.

So is that where Johnson was late? Was he simply out of breath?

Not the case, Petrino said.

"He got hit in the head. He was a little bit dinged up."

Johnson should be good to go if needed this week.

INJURY NEWS
Running back Michael Smith is apparently doing better, but no status update was available from Petrino. Smith went through pregame stretching and drills, but did not play Saturday due to a "tweaked" hamstring.

Petrino is hopeful Joe Adams could be back this year. Adams has missed the last two games with what is being termed a "mild stroke." Doctors are working to figure out what caused Adams' condition.