FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson’s workload at practice increased Tuesday as the Razorbacks began preparations for Saturday’s nonconference game against Rutgers.
Wilson missed all of Arkansas’ 52-0 loss to Alabama last week with a concussion sustained in the first half of a loss against Louisiana-Monroe the previous week. Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Wilson took about half the snaps Tuesday, with junior Brandon Mitchell and freshman Brandon Allen splitting the rest evenly.
Wilson said Monday he would do everything in his power to be ready to play Saturday, though he indicated his concussion testing had not reached his baseline score Monday.
“I’d say he was on fire,” Petrino said of Wilson’s work Tuesday. “His arm was fresh and hot. He looked really good.”
Tight end Chris Gragg said he told Wilson to slow down his throws a little.
“He was actually throwing a little harder because his arm was fresh,” Gragg said.
“He looked real good.”
Quarterback/receiver Brandon Mitchell said Wilson didn’t miss a beat.
“He seemed a little sharper, making checks and things like that,” Mitchell said. “He didn’t really try to do too much as far asthinking last week, but this week he’s in the game plan and things like that.”
Wearing white
The Razorbacks practiced with their new white helmets for the first time this season.
The white helmet, a secondary option to Arkansas’ traditional cardinal red helmet, was part of the program’s offseason wardrobe overhaul that featured new Nikedesigned apparel in three colors: red, white and anthracite (dark gray).
“I think we are going to wear them [Saturday],” tailback Knile Davis said.
“I think that’s why we’re breaking them in.”
Said tight end Chris Gragg: “They bring a lot of swag to us. I think the fans will like them, too.”Hot pistol
The Razorbacks had a moderate level of success in the triple-option package out of the Pistol formation against Alabama.
Quarterback Brandon Mitchell had an 11-yard run around the left edge from the Pistol, and Knile Davis took the dive part of the play for several decent runs.
“I think it’s only going to get better as the year progresses,” Mitchell said, pointing out that Arkansas offensive line coach Chris Klenakis was involved in the invention of the Pistol offense while he was at Nevada. “We’re learning it faster than most teams would.”
The run game accounted for 133 yards against the Crimson Tide, though a botched punt snap, four sacks and a couple ofbobbled Shotgun snaps took 75 yards off for a total of 58.
“That first drive of the second half, we had a 16-play drive, and for the offensive line that’s definitely something they can build on,” offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “Where we killed ourselves three times is we’re inside the 20 and don’t come away with any points.” Strip circuit
Arkansas addressed its ball-security problems early in Tuesday’s practice with a few drills during the media viewing portions of the work.
Offensive players formed a tunnel and tried to yank and pull the ball away as receivers and running backs ran through it. The skill players also ran through an apparatus that forced ball carriers to work on ball protection and leg drive, followed by a gantlet of dummy-wielding players trying to swat the ball out.
“To be honest with you, we’ve been doing it almost every day for the last couple of weeks,” offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “They just need to do it in a game.”Holmes’ new home
Freshman Nate Holmes, who was signed as a running back, practiced Tuesday at cornerback.
“We need another guy over there that’s fast and athletic,” offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said.
“We had to do what’s best for the team, so they took him and moved him over there.
“He was fired up about it.
He just wants to get on the field and help the team any way he can.”
Sports, Pages 24 on 09/19/2012