Razorbacks report

— Oden in line for first start

Arkansas true freshman offensive tackle Anthony Oden could get his first college start Saturday at Alabama.

Oden and junior Ray Dominguez, who started the first two games, split practice reps with the first team offense this week, Coach Bobby Petrino said.

It hasn't been decided who will start, Petrino said after Thursday's practice, but both Oden and Dominguez likely will play to keep them mentally fresh to try and limit mistakes.

Oden played as a reserve in the opener against Missouri State but didn't play against Georgia last week, when Dominguez was penalized five times.

Petrino said Oden, 6-8, 328 pounds, has had a good week of practice.

"He's a guy that has all kinds of talent," Petrino said. "He did a nice job in that first game.

"He's going to be a great football player before it's over with. We've just got to make sure he's ready now."

Oden played at Hargrove (Va.) Military Academy last year.

"It's his fifth year out of high school and the advantage is when you go there, you learn a new offense, you learn a new technique," Petrino said of playing at a prep school. "So when he comes here it's not like he's never been through this before.

"He's certainly more mature than a guy just coming out of high school." No D.J. complaints

Arkansas tight end D.J.

Williams, who last season led the team with 61 catches for 723 yards, is fourth through two games in 2009 with six for 78.

But Williams isn't about to complain about not getting the ball enough.

"With how many offensive weapons we've got, it's hard to complain about anything," Williams said. "We're spreading the ball around, and overall it's making our offense a thousand years apart from where it was last year." Mount Cody

The heftiest player on the Bryant-Denny Stadium field Saturday will be Alabama senior nose guard Terrence "Mount" Cody, who is listed at 6-5, 354 pounds.

"He's a big guy, but we're big guys, too," Arkansas center Seth Oxner said. "It will be a battle."

Oxner (6-4, 315) and guards Mitch Petrus (6-4, 315), Grant Freeman (6-4, 322) and Wade Grayson (6-4, 296) figure to draw most of the blocking assignments against Cody.

"We don't have anybody on the offensive line that's 360, so we're going to have to make sure we use good technique and come off the ball," Petrus said. "You can't go in there and be scared and freaked out. You can't let him dictate where you go."

Alabama also has used Cody as a fullback to block on short-yardage plays.

"He's a big man, and he comes through there pretty good," Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said. "They do a nice job with him.

"We have to keep them off the goal line because they are very powerful down there." All together

Quarterback Ryan Mallett said the offense doesn't feel extra pressure to produce after seeing the defensestruggle in the Razorbacks' 52-41 loss to Georgia.

"The defense is going to be fine," Mallett said.

"Georgia executed really well.

"The defense knows they have got to keep coming along, and we have got to keep coming along, too. It's a team sport."

Rain on the way

Saturday's forecast includes an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms in Tuscaloosa.

Coach Bobby Petrino said the Razorbacks haven't practiced with a wet ball this week, but that they've had several practices in the rain this fall.

Good week

Coach Bobby Petrino said it's been a good week of practice for the Razorbacks.

"Our guys have had a great attitude. We've come out and worked hard," he said after Thursday's practice.

"Tuesday and Wednesday practices were hard work, very physical. I think our guys have reacted well."

Petrino said the team "cut it way back" Thursday and looked sharp.

"We didn't have very many mistakes," he said.

"The enthusiasm's good and we're really looking forward to the challenge."

Where's Ronnie?

Freshman tailback Ronnie Wingo led Arkansas with eight carries for 50 yards in the season-opening 48-10 victory over Missouri State, but didn't have any touches against Georgia.

Coach Bobby Petrino said Wingo still figures into the game plan, but that it's tough to give a true freshman the ball in the SEC opener when he's played just one college game.

"I attribute that to me," Petrino said. "Because when you're in a game like [Georgia] and ... we're playing well and we're scoring points, it's hard for me to say, 'OK, let's put a true freshman in there,' and give him the opportunity to make a big mistake or something that hurts the game. Now we have to move ahead and get him more reps and get him in there.

"The guy's a good football player and he definitely can help us as the year goes on." Ford ready

Backup sophomore safety Elton Ford has yet to play this season. He missed the opener because of an ankle injury, but he returned to practice the following week.

He dressed for the Georgia game, but didn't play.

Ford appears ready to play for the first time this season at Alabama.

"My body is feeling great and I'm ready," he said. "I'm excited to play." Danielson likes QB

Here's what Gary Danielson, the former NFL quarterback who will be the CBS analyst for the Arkansas-Alabama game, had to say about Razorbacks' quarterback Ryan Mallett, according to a network news release: "He is one of the cockiest people I have come around in my 15 years of doing this. And I love him for it. He is really going to be an interesting player for us to watch in the conference."

Legendary Gary

Gary Anderson didn't play in the SEC, but he's part of the 2009 SEC Football Legends class announced this week.

Anderson, an All-Southwest Conference running back as an Arkansas senior in 1982, will be honored at the SEC's "Weekend of Champions" culminated by the conference title game Dec. 5 in Atlanta.

Sports, Pages 28 on 09/25/2009

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