Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

4/9/2011 at 3:16pm

News and notes from Saturday’s 195-play Arkansas football scrimmage …

I.  Breakfast: An Important Start to the Day
Joe Adams’ 13-catch, 183-yard receiving day statistically began with a 23-yard catch on the opening play of the scrimmage. His big day actually started sooner than that, teammates and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said.

Adams caught McGee’s eye at the team breakfast. He said Adams’ demeanor seemed to indicate the senior receiver was particularly dialed-in for the scrimmage

Quarterback Brandon Mitchell noticed Adams seemed extra energized during the team’s walk through prior to the scrimmage. Mitchell said Adams was more vocal than usual, often a sign that a big day was ahead.

“Joe said [to] get him the ball and he was going to make plays today,” Mitchell said. “That’s exactly what he did. He made plays.”

Adams led all receivers in yards, scored two touchdowns and averaged nearly 14.1 yards per catch. He summed up his big day in rather low-key fashion: “I am focused on making plays after the catch.”

McGee was a little more complimentary of Adams. He said Adams’ 23-yard catch to open the scrimmage was crucial in the first-team offense’s scoring drive to start the day and got the unit off to a good start.

“He’s one of those guys we have that can make everything easy on everybody. He normally has a matchup he can win,” McGee said. “I could tell when I saw him at breakfast this morning he was ready to go. He was really focused and ready to go.”

Included in the big day for Adams were touchdowns of 35 and 59 yards. He had only four receptions that covered fewer than 11 yards.

II. Mixed Reviews
Bobby Petrino the head coach was glad to see Arkansas’ defense not give up a first down on seven consecutive fourth-and-one plays during Saturday’s scrimmage. Petrino saw an aggressive defense making plays and swarming to the football.

Bobby Petrino the renowned offensive guru was a little less excited about his offense failing to covert on seven consecutive fourth-and-one plays. He saw one running back slip on the initial attempt, then witnessed the offense get “whipped" on the next six plays — all runs.

“I was happy with the defense, not happy with the offense,” Petrino predictably said.

Petrino did offer one explanation for the offense faltering in those fourth downs. Arkansas has not yet installed its goal-line/short-yardage packages. Still, he would have liked a better showing.

Defensive players began chanting “Red Swarm” — the unit’s nickname — after every stop. The series seemed to energize that side of the ball and was another example of how the defense has grown entering Petrino’s fourth season with the Razorbacks.

“That was exciting,” defensive end Jake Bequette said. “That was probably the highlight of our day. We showed a great attitude and enthusiasm with that sequence. My favorite part about it was that different guys were making plays. It wasn’t just one guy. And the offense wasn’t just running one play. It was a variety. And that was exciting.”

III. Play of the Day
Defensive highlights weren’t limited to those fourth-down plays. In fact, the seven stops — as impressive as they were — might have been overshadowed by one Tramain Thomas interception.

Thomas leapt into the air and used one hand to pull down a ball intended for Joe Adams in the end zone. Thomas came down with the Tyler Wilson throw at the one-yard line to record his second one-handed interception of the spring and show off his impressive vertical.

Wilson forced the ball to the middle of the field, so it’s not a surprise the ball was intercepted. Thomas made the play look far from routine, however.

“I’m trying to get on ESPN, but I’m not sure if that’s going to happen,” Thomas joked with media afterward.

Of course, ESPN will televise next week’s Arkansas spring game. Another play like that next week and Thomas could very well make that happen.

Speaking Out
“We need to get tougher. I need to find out who the leaders are. That's what I am really looking for. When it’s hard, when the pressure is on, who is going to have the positive attitude and who is going to lead the team and direct the team in the right direction. I have seen it show up at times, and at times we have flunked the test. But before it’s over with we will get to where we need to be.”

—Coach Bobby Petrino on going through such a long scrimmage and his more vocal approach during practice this spring.

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Below are unofficial stats from the 195-play second major scrimmage of the spring.

Passing
Tyler Wilson, 34 of 51, 418 yds., 2 touchdowns, interception
Brandon Mitchell, 15 of 27, 237 yds., TD, 2 INT
Jacoby Walker, 11 of 16, 107 yds., 2 TDs
Brian Buehner, 10 of 13, 110 yds., 2 TDs

Rushing
Knile Davis, 20 carries, 64 yds., TD
Dennis Johnson, 15 carries, 54 yds., 3 TDs
Ronnie Wingo, 13 carries, 34 yds., TD
Broderick Green, 9 carries, 8 yds.
Brandon Mitchell, 9 carries, 7 yds.
Morgan Linton, 5 carries, 16 yds.
Ronald Watkins, 5 carries, 10 yds.
Tyler Wilson, 4 carries, minus 17 yds.
Brian Buehner, 1 carry, 5 yds.
Jacoby Walker, 1 carry, 0 yds.

Receiving
Joe Adams, 12 catches, 183 yds., 2 TD
Julian Horton, 9 catches, 94 yds.
Marquel Wade, 9 catches, 76 yds.
Maudrecus Humphrey, 7 catches, 68 yds., TD
Jarius Wright, 5 catches, 64 yds.
Javontee Herndon, 4 catches, 48 yds., TD
Dennis Johnson, 3 catches, 60 yds.
Ronnie Wingo, 3 catches, 55 yds., TD
Cobi Hamilton, 3 catches, 51 yds.
Garrett Uekman, 3 catches, 43 yds., TD
Chris Gragg, 3 catches, 43 yds.
Knile Davis, 2 catches, 44 yds.
Austin Tate, 2 catches, 15 yds.
Price Holmes, 1 catch, 15 yds., TD
Brandon Mitchell, 1 catch, 8 yds.
Ronald Watkins, 1 catch, 6 yds.
Broderick Green, 1 catch, 4 yds.
Tyler Wilson, 1 catch, minus 5 yds.

Defensive Highlights
Tenarius Wright, 3 tackles for losses
Chris Smith, 2 sacks
Elton Ford, interception
Tramain Thomas, INT

Tagged: Jake Bequette, Tenarius Wright, Joe Adams, Bobby Petrino, Chris Smith, Arkansas Razorbacks, Knile Davis, Broderick Green, Ronnie Wingo, Jarius Wright, Cobi Hamilton, Tyler Wilson, Brandon Mitchell, Dennis Johnson, Julian Horton, Marquel Wade