Hogs assign blame for big loss: 'It's our fault'

FAYETTEVILLE — The Razorbacks, both players and coaches, seem to agree - the blame should be placed squarely on their own shoulder.

Head coach Bobby Petrino spent the Saturday postgame and a Monday press conference saying as much about the Hogs' 35-7 SEC loss at Alabama on Sept. 26.

Then on Tuesday, offensive coordinator/receivers coach Paul Petrino and fifth-year senior offensive guard Mitch Petrus spent the post practice telling media of their blame for the Alabama game and their vows to make amends against the 3-0 Big 12 Aggies.

And apart from blaming themselves for Saturday's debacle, the Razorbacks also agreed that they're eager to get their 1-2 record up to 2-2 in Saturday's 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 televised nonconference game against the Texas A&M Aggies on Jerry Jones' grand Cowboys Stadium stage in Dallas.

"Man," Petrus said. "We didn't get it done. We ain't making excuses. We're way behind. Way behind the 8-ball here. It's our fault. Until we make up our mind to get it done, we ain't going to win a game. It's going to get done this week."

What specifically didn't get done?

"The offensive line is costing this whole team right now," Petrus said. "Mallett's standing back there and getting hit on every play. That a reflection on the whole team."

And Petrus implied the poor protection was reminiscent of the sacks 2008 senior quarterback Casey Dick absorbed last year, which reflected on the 2008 line and a 5-7 season.

"This crap happened last year and it's got to stop," Petrus said. "We have to make up our minds to put an end to it. What I'm mad about is problems with penalties, giving up sacks and missed assignments. It's our fault. We have to put an extra focus on it."

Sampling the message boards and talk shows, it seems the defense catches the blame from the 52-41 loss to Georgia and the 35-7 Alabama loss on successive SEC Saturdays.

Petrus sticks by the D, especially one that went up against Alabama with the Arkansas offense digging its defense into a hole.

"The defense even stepped it up," Petrus said. "I know [Alabama] scored a lot of points but that's because we weren't moving the ball and because the Oline was getting penalties and the O-line wasn't blocking. ... I feel we like we are going to get it done this week."

Paul Petrino reviewed receivers dropping passes against Alabama after catching everything catchable against Georgia and Missouri State, and blames himself.

"I felt I had prepared them," Paul Petrino said Tuesday, "but obviously I didn't. So you've got to refocus, look at yourself and find better ways to get it done. The only way to get it fixed is realize you made a mistake. I made a mistake so now Ihave got to get it fixed. We are going to be ready this week."

Paul Petrino said the whole offense took a step in the right direction in Tuesday's practice in full pads.

"We had a better day today all the way around," Paul Petrino said. "The very first part of practice individual got better as it went and when we got to 7-on-7, I think we had one incompletion. The [first unit] threw and caught the ball well and ran around and it carried over into the rest of practice. It got better as the day went on."

A Love-less practice

Briefly injured but returning to play the rest of the way against Alabama, starting offensive tackle DeMarcus Love was given Tuesday off to rest and recover.

Also, during the limited session open to media before practice is closed, it appeared junior transfer Zhamal Thomas was operating as a first-team offensive guard.

Senior wide receiver Lucas Miller got a few plays against Alabama, his first game back since breaking his collarbone during the August preseason. The fifth-year senior from Greenwood likely will get a lot more against Texas A&M given Paul Petrino's assessment of his Tuesday practice.

"I was really happy with Lucas tonight," Paul Petrino said. "You could tell he was not all the way back last week, but he had his best night by far. So that will really help."

Senior receiver London Crawford, (broken collarbone in the Sept. 5 season-opener against Missouri State) is not cleared for game action but did some drills Tuesday in a yellow caution jersey.

"He's coming along good," Paul Petrino said. "It's amazing how fast both [Crawford and Miller] healed up."

The Petrino Brothers have an upcoming decision about Crawford since he would be eligible for a redshirt restoring his senior eligibility in 2010 if he doesn't play this season.