Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/15/2010 at 4:29pm

Image by EA Sports

Tim Tebow on the cover of EA Sports' NCAA Football 2011 video game.

After blogging about Arkansas' virtual national title run in a NCAA Football 2011 simulation, we decided to ask Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett his thoughts on the new college football video game during his teleconference with media this afternoon.

ArkansasSports360.com: NCAA Football 2011 just came out, how do you feel about your "character?"

Ryan Mallett:  (laughing) It’s not my character is it? Apparently, it’s just a likeness, right?*

Have you played it yet? How’d you feel about the game?

Of course I’ve played it. I play college football. I’m sure if you ask any college football player in the nation if they’ve played it yet, they’re all gonna say ‘yes.’ Just because it’s a neat deal to be able to just go against people, play online, you know, do whatever.

Is there anything you’d change about yourself after playing, I’m sure you’ve played with the Hogs plenty of times.

Yeah, gotta play with the Hogs, you know, my guys are out there so I wanna play with my guys.

I think an advantage to video games is reading defenses and going through progressions on that. A lot of people don’t really understand that.

Do video games help your game on the field?

Not as much as actually just watching film and preparing yourself, but I feel like it’s got a little impact just being able to recognize defenses.

Another Reporter: Does the game represent the Hogs? Is the offense as good as y’all are supposed to be?

RM: I think we got shorted a little bit.

So there you have it. Mallett's success on the field is partly based on his video game prowess on the screen.

Not really, but now you have an idea about what the star QB does in his spare time since he's not running around.

More From Mallett

More from the teleconference, where Mallett says he'll be running again "soon."

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*NCAA video games do not feature players' real names and exact likenesses because the players are not compensated for their image. Because of NCAA restrictions on the amateur status of athletes, this is not allowed. So Mallett is listed as QB #15 on the Arkansas team. Some gaming systems allow for rosters to be imported, but the NCAA does not encourage it.

Tagged: Ryan Mallett, football, NCAA Football 2011, Arkansas Razorbacks