FAYETTEVILLE — Coaches: Top WRs need rest
Arkansas receivers Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams made a combined 12 catches for 308 yards against Georgia, but Coach Bobby Petrino said they played too many snaps in a game the Bulldogs rallied to win 52-41.
"The receivers played hard. They made some great plays," Petrino said.
"We need to rotate more guys in, though ... to keep them fresher so they can play better in the fourth quarter, especially when you're behind and you have to go two-minute.
"They got worn out a little bit."
The receivers should be able to stay fresher at No. 3 Alabama on Saturday with the return of Lucas Miller, who missed the first two games recovering from shoulder surgery.
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said he also needs to do a better job of working other receivers such as Carlton Salters, Cobi Hamilton and Reggie Fish into the game.
"That was my fault," Paul Petrino said.
Paul Petrino said that as well as Childs, Wright and Adams were playing, it was hard to give them any plays off.
"I've got to spell them a little bit more," he said. "But those three top guys are still going to play the most plays and go make the most plays for us." Smith ready
Starting tailback Michael Smith made a catch for an 18-yard gain on Arkansas' first play against Georgia, then left the game for most of the first half because of a shoulder strain.
"I was like, 'You've got to be kidding me. Not the first play,' " Smith said.
"Something was hurting and I kind of ran off so they could get to me as quick as possible, and it helped because we got in there and they checked it out and it was a bruise or strain or something like that.
"They were able to fix it, wrap it up and get me back in there."
Smith said he's good to go for the Alabama game, and he practiced well Tuesday, according to offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.
"He's doing good with everything that you see, and I think he feels real good," Petrino said.
Ambrose arrested
Backup defensive end Damario Ambrose was arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of failure to appear and released after paying a $464bond. He practiced Tuesday.
A bench warrant was issued for Ambrose after he failed to appear in Johnson City Court on a speeding ticket he received on Jan. 7, according to the clerk's office. The bench warrant was issued in February.
Ambrose was arrested by Fayetteville police at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday and released at 12:05 p.m., according to the Washington County sheriff's office Web site.
Coach Bobby Petrino wasn't available for comment Tuesday, but the arrest likely won't affect Ambrose's status for the Alabama game.
Cornerback Ramon Broadway was arrested for failure to appear earlier this season and has started the first two games.
Broadway failed to appear on a charge of failure to provide proof of insurance for his vehicle.
Miller back
Receiver Lucas Miller, who underwent surgery Aug. 21 to repair a broken right collarbone, said he's been shaking the rust off in practice and is eager to play against Alabama.
"I'm excited to be back, and I feel everybody's excited to have me back," he said. "It's been a warm welcome."
Miller joked he's grown jealous on the sideline watching his teammates catch so many passes the first two games.
"I'm behind the game," he said. "I've got to play catchup now with my guys."
It's too early in the week to know how much Miller will figure into Saturday's game plan.
"We'll see how practices goes this week," he said. "If I'm effective, then I'm sure that I'll get plenty of playing time.
"If not, then that's on me." Penalty problems
Arkansas offensive tackle Ray Dominguez was penalized five times against Georgia: three times for false starts, once for holding and once for an illegal block, along with guard Wade Grayson.
"I think Ray struggled in that game, and he's going to have to play better for us to play better up front," offensive line coach Mike Summers said. "I think he'll respond."
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said there's also "a good chance" freshman backup tackle Anthony Oden will get some snaps against Alabama.
Punt position
Punter Dylan Breeding averaged 37.3 yards on seven attempts against Georgia, but it paled in comparison to the punting of Georgia sophomore Drew Butler.
Butler averaged 55.2 yards on four punts to slightly increase his NCAA-best average to 54.5. His average is 4 yards per punt better than the second-best punter in the nation.
Breeding's average of 37.1 on eight punts ranks 78th among the 82 punters listed in the NCAA stats.
"You know, punting's one of the deals that we evaluate each week," Coach Bobby Petrino said. "There's competition each week and we chart everything and we make a decision as the week goes on."
Junior college transfer Briton Forester has yet to punt for the Razorbacks.
Red zone stuff
Arkansas or its opponents have scored every time they have penetrated the red zone this season.
The Razorbacks improved to 10 for 10 in red zone scoring with a perfect showing on four trips inside the 20 against Georgia last week. Arkansas has six touchdowns and four field goals after reaching the red zone.
Arkansas and Georgia, which went 3 for 3 on redzone scoring chances against the Hogs, are two of 16 NCAA teams perfect in the red zone this season.
The Razorbacks have allowed scores on all four of their opponents' redzone drives this year: one touchdown and three field goals. They are one of 20 NCAA teams, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt from the SEC, to allow 100-percent scoring in the red zone.
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/23/2009