Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

10/18/2010 at 4:28pm

Image by Mark Wagner

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will have tests performed Tuesday to review the condition of the concussion he suffered during Saturday's game at Auburn.

FAYETTEVILLE — Quarterback Ryan Mallett continues to recover from a concussion sustained Saturday against Auburn. Coach Bobby Petrino said the “best case scenario” is that Mallett could be cleared to practice on Tuesday.

“He’ll go through a series of tests today this afternoon,” Petrino said. “Best case scenario he comes out and practices tomorrow. I don’t know that, but he has no headaches and he has no symptoms from the concussion so that is very, very positive.”

It’s unclear when the injury occurred. Mallett did not return to the game after the team scored to take a 14-10 lead with 9:43 left in the second quarter. Mallett was hit hard on the next to last play of the drive by defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

Mallett spent the remainder of the half in the locker room. He watched from the sidelines in street clothes throughout the second half and appeared animated on the sidelines at times.

Petrino said team medical officials told him Mallett was ‘asymptomatic.’ What grade of concussion Mallett suffered was not something that Petrino knew, but he said he’s hopeful to have the quarterback back in practice soon.

Mallett’s health was a popular subject on Monday. Petrino was also asked about Mallett’s left shoulder. Mallett had surgery to “tighten it up” in the offseason and appeared to take a shot to the shoulder on the Fairley hit.

Asked if there was a problem there Petrino said, “No. Not at all.”

“Everything [is OK] but his head,” Petrino said. “I think he’ll be OK.”

Arkansas should be OK if Mallett can’t go Saturday. At least that’s how it appeared with the way Tyler Wilson played at Auburn.

Wilson entered the game with about 6:30 left in the first half and played the remainder of the game. He finished with 332 yards and four touchdowns, though he did throw two late interceptions.

Petrino was pleased with Wilson’s performance.

“He did a really nice job executing his progressions,” Petrino said. “He stayed in there and took a couple of shots and completed passes. He showed a tremendous amount of toughness. We had the unfortunate interceptions in the fourth quarter, but he gave us an opportunity to be in position to win.”

Upon Further Review
Coaches are prohibited from talking about officiating. Doing so can lead to fines and reprimand from the Southeastern Conference.

Athletic directors, on the other hand…

Arkansas AD Jeff Long issued a statement Monday regarding officiating in Saturday’s loss to Auburn. A pair of plays that were reviewed in the replay booth went against the Razorbacks, though Long did not mention specific plays.

"After consulting with Coach [Bobby] Petrino, we have registered our concerns regarding several officiating calls and review decisions made by replay officials in Saturday’s game. We have taken all appropriate steps to thoroughly review the plays through the process provided by the SEC to do so.

"While we were proactive in sharing our thoughts on the plays in question with the league office, we will conduct our affairs with the appropriate decorum that is expected of University of Arkansas representatives and members of the SEC.”

Long seems to allude to a call involving Auburn's Mario Fannin, who scored a touchdown despite appearing to actually fumble the ball at the goal line. Click here for more reaction to the officials' decision after the replay as well as video of the fumble/touchdown.

Petrino was asked Monday if he saw an official signal touchdown. Petrino wasn’t biting.

“You guys are killing me. You’re killing me,” Petrino said. “You’re baiting me. Is that that throw it out there and see if I can get it a different way? I got that gag. See that gag? [Biting his fist]. Right there. It’s a gag order. Can’t say anything. It’s my understanding that there is a cloth in my throat on comments about that.”

Brief Visit
Apparently Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli looked at Arkansas in 2008. He was in junior college at the time and visited Fayetteville before settling on Oregon.

Masoli played two seasons at Oregon. He transferred to Ole Miss in the summer after some off field trouble led to his suspension and dismissal at Oregon.

Petrino was asked about his interaction with Masoli.

“He was on campus here for 24 hours. That was really it.”

Speaking Out
“It’s different when you score a touchdown and don’t hear a lot of cheers. It’s kind of fun in a lot of ways. It’s you against the world. I think the team rallied around each other because of that. It was fun.”
—QB Tyler Wilson on playing Saturday once Ryan Mallett went out because of injury. Wilson threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns.

Tagged: Bobby Petrino, Ryan Mallett, Jeff Long, Arkansas Razorbacks