Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/22/2010 at 4:08pm

HOOVER, Ala. — Arkansas isn’t backing down from the expectations players and coaches were so vocal about in the offseason.

While meeting with local, regional and national reporters at the Southeastern Conference Media Days on Thursday, UA Coach Bobby Petrino, quarterback Ryan Mallett, tight end D.J. Williams and defensive end Jake Bequette all stood by the idea they plan to compete for the SEC title this season. Arkansas was 8-5 with a Liberty Bowl victory last season, but returns 17 offensive and defensive starters, leading to plenty of optimism with the Razorback program.

“Our expectations are very high, there’s no question about that,” Petrino said. “It starts with our players, which is a good thing. Our players’ expectations for the season are high. Our coaches’ expectations for the season are high. Our administration’s expectations for the season are high …We’re fired up just to get it started and get going.”

Petrino’s message was nothing new for Arkansas. Some national analysts tabbed the Razorbacks a Top 15 team after Mallett announced in January he was not turning pro, and the team has fully embraced the attention.

Bequette said the pressure could be good for players if used properly. Rather than getting bogged down by the expectations, it’s been a rallying point for the team as it prepares to enter Petrino’s third season in Fayetteville.

Traditionally, it’s been tough for Arkansas to survive the expectations. The Razorbacks haven’t finished in the Top 15 to end a season since entering a bowl game ranked No. 9 in 1989.

Arkansas’ history, Williams said, is just that -- history.

“This is a completely different Arkansas team,” Williams said. “We are going to set the standard for what Arkansas football could and should be for years to come. Coach Petrino has done a great job of establishing that since the day he first stepped foot on campus.”

To live up to the standard set by Petrino, the team will need significant improvement on defense. Arkansas has finished last in the SEC in total defense the past two seasons and was ranked 89th nationally last year.

Petrino has said he hoped the defense will be a Top 20 unit this year. That would be a major complement to what is expected to be one of the nation’s most potent offenses.

Even with the defense's past struggles, Petrino’s knack for thinking big has rubbed off on that unit, too. At least it appears that way from how Bequette talked to media.

“This defense shouldn’t be taken lightly,” the junior said. He also said the unit was “faster and more confident.”

It’s just what Petrino wants to hear from his players. Petrino wasn’t happy with the way his team approached its 2009 game with eventual national champion Alabama. At the time he said the team didn’t “believe it could win,” and they were whipped 35-7.

Establishing a different mindset has been crucial since that game. Arkansas had near misses against traditional power programs Florida and LSU later in the year and Petrino thinks the team can win those types of gamesthis season.

“You have to take the field believing you can win,” Petrino said.

Judging from the talk, that won’t be an issue in 2010.

FRIENDLY FIRE
Ryan Mallett knew he would get peppered with questions throughout his SEC Media Days appearance. But he had no idea he’d be questioned by one of his own teammates.

Tight end D.J. Williams was waiting on Mallett to wrap up a session with television reporters when he found an opening and asked: “Ryan can you tell us what you think about getting the ball to the tight end more this year?”

Upon hearing the question, Mallett stopped to gather his thoughts, then realized where the question was coming from. More specifically, Mallett realized whom the question was coming from.

“Well D.J., as long as you’re not double-covered I’ll get it to you,” Mallett said, laughing and drawing a chuckle from media members on hand.

UNDER ADVISEMENT
Offensive lineman Anthony Oden and fullback Van Stumon were both arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated during the summer. Petrino issued a statement after each arrest saying he was aware and handling it.

What exactly Petrino is doing to discipline the players is unclear. He didn’t shed much light on the players — not out of the norm for the way he handles discipline issues — when asked about it Thursday.

Petrino said he was still “in the process of working through" punishments.

MOTIVATION
Arkansas wide receivers, Greg Childs in particular, are aware that they didn’t get named to the coaches' All-SEC team. And Petrino expects that to push them for better seasons.

Razorbacks receivers will “take it personal” they were left off the team. Childs, fellow juniors Joe Adams and Jarius Wright and sophomore Colbi Hamilton are expected to have big seasons for the Razorbacks.

INSURANCE PLAN
Mallett was asked Thursday if he planned to take out an insurance policy to protect himself for 2010. He has already done that (read our May 19 story here).

Tight end D.J. Williams has yet to do so, he said.

Tagged: Ryan Malett, Bobby Petrino, Arkansas Razorbacks, SEC Media Days, Jake Bequette, D.J. Williams