Razorbacks report

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett had his worst game statistically last week against Alabama, completing only 12 of 35 passes for 160 yards.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett had his worst game statistically last week against Alabama, completing only 12 of 35 passes for 160 yards.

— Petrino: QB woes common

Ryan Mallett's struggles in Arkansas' 35-7 loss at Alabama last Saturday aren't unique to the Razorbacks' sophomore quarterback, Coach Bobby Petrino stressed.

"You know, there's never been a quarterback that's played this game that hasn't went through what Ryan did in the Alabama game," Petrino said. "Where the pass rush and the movement and the blitzes distract your concentration, and your vision and your ability to set your feet.

"He just has to understand that and come back from it - and face it.

Face that he didn't operate as well as he can with the pass rush and bodies flashing in front of him.

"That's how you get better as a quarterback."

Mallett, who completed 12 of 35 passes for 160 yards against the Crimson Tide, said he didn't "give myself a chance" in the game.

"I wasn't getting set in the pocket and wasn't setting my feet," he said. "I didn't give my team a chance to win.

"That's something I can't do. I hurt the team by the way I played, and I can't do that anymore."

Mallett said he has to do a better job of sticking with his technique and not lose focus, regardless of what the defense is doing.

"I wasn't thinking about that because I was just thinking about trying to make plays and get my team back in the game," he said.

"But ... if I had stuck to my technique, I would have hit a lot of throws that we missed." Secondary shake-up

Half of Arkansas' starting lineup in the defensive backfield might be changed for the Texas A&M game if Tuesday's early practice periods are any indication.

Elton Ford, an eight-game starter as a true freshman last season, was bumped up with the starters at strong safety for Tramain Thomas.

Junior college transfer Andru Stewart worked at first-team boundary cornerback in Ramon Broadway's spot opposite Rudell Crim.

Thomas and Broadway both ran with the second unit on defense, joining cornerback David Gordon and safety Anthony Leon.

Matt Harris continued working at starting free safety.

Enough already

Arkansas senior guard Mitch Petrus wasn't shy after Tuesday's practice about being critical of the offensive line.

"We have to stop accepting average. We have to improve the level of play," Petrus said. "The offensive line is costing this whole team right now.

"[Ryan] Mallett's standing back there and getting hit on every play. That is a reflection on the whole team.

"This crap happened last year, and it's got to stop. We have to make up our minds to put an end to it." No Love

Starting offensive tackle and team captain DeMarcus Love didn't practice Tuesday.

Offensive line coach Mike Summers said Love was getting some treatment and is expected to start against Texas A&M.

In Love's absence, Ray Dominguez and Anthony Oden worked at the first team tackle spots.

Oden started at Alabama after Dominguez started the first two games, but Dominguez replaced Oden after the first two series against the Crimson Tide.

Summers said Oden, a true freshman, needs to continue to get practice reps and game experience.

"It's hard to duplicate that atmosphere that he was in at Alabama, and he fought the time that he was in there," Summers said. "I was proud of some of the things he was able to do, and then we got him out so he could kind of step back and see what it was all about.

"He'll continue to develop. He's a heck of a football player, and he's just real young and he's got a lot to learn."

Also on the offensive line, junior college transfer Zhamal Thomas was working at first-team guard in place of Grant Cook during the early periods open to the media.

Work at it

Offensive coordinator and receivers coach Paul Petrino said the solution to the dropped passes that plagued the Razorbacks at Alabama isn't complicated.

"You work hard. That's the only way I know," Petrino said after Tuesday's practice. "Today we came out with the receivers and tight ends in the passing game, and we played fast and hard.

"You play fast and hard, you don't drop the ball much. You might have one or two. But it's when you don't play fast and you don't play hard, that's when you have drops."

Petrino took responsibility for the drops.

"We didn't get it done last week, and I take that all on myself," he said. "I didn't do a good enough job of getting them ready to play last week. But we are going to be ready this week." Worth noting

Arkansas' opponents have outscored the Razorbacks 97-96 on the season. The Razorbacks have a big edge in the first quarter (42-13) and a slight edge in the third (34-29), while their opponents have dominated in the second quarter (38-10) and lead in the fourth (17-10).

An indication of how much pressure the vaunted Alabama defense put on the Razorbacks last week: The Crimson Tide had 3 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 8 pass breakups, 8 quarterback hurries and 1 interception.

Senior receiver London Crawford returned to practice Tuesday, wearing a yellow no-contact jersey.

Crawford suffered a broken collarbone in the season opener Sept. 5 and was projected to miss four to six weeks.

Aggie tribute

Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray and linebacker/end Von Miller both will wear No. 24 against the Razorbacks to honor a player from DeSoto (Texas) High School, where they also played.

Gray and Miller are honoring DeSoto junior Corey Borner, who was paralyzed during spring practice last May while wearing No. 24.

Gray normally wears No.

32 and Miller No. 40.

Fan events

Arkansas' alumni association, athletic department and the Greater Dallas Razorback Club are teaming up for three fan events this weekend for the Arkansas-Texas A&M game: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, party at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas; 8 p.m.-2 a.m., Hugo's Razorback Rally at Gilley's in Dallas; 1:30 p.m. Saturday, parade and pep rally at the West Plaza at Cowboys Stadium.

More A&M tradition

Texas A&M Coach Mike Sherman said there will be a drawing held at Thursday night's yell practice to determine four students who will travel and stay with the team this weekend.

Sherman said it's a reward to show the student body how much their support is appreciated.

"They'll be standing, waiting on the sideline and wearing their 12th Man jerseys," Sherman said.

"Hopefully, they won't have to go into the game."

Sports, Pages 23 on 09/30/2009

Upcoming Events