Allen’s showing delights Bielema

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen warms up before a scrimmage Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen warms up before a scrimmage Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE - Optimism oozed from Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema after the Razorbacks’ first scrimmage of camp Saturday, a 107-play workout on a breezy, warm afternoon in front of about 5,000 fans at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“Overall, I liked what went on out there,” Bielema said.

On a day when multiple key players were held out because of minor injuries, including center Travis Swanson, fullback Kiero Small, defensive tackle Byran Jones and safety Rohan Gaines, the Razorbacks played turnover-free football with few penalties and sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen had a field day.

Allen completed 16 of 17 passes for 216 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown throw to Javontee Herndon. His only incomplete pass came on a crossing route that hit Julian Horton in the hands before trickling away.

“Brandon Allen continues to impress me with certain throws, his composure, his demeanor, just everything he brings to the table,” Bielema said.

Allen did his work behind center Luke Charpentier, who moved up with the starters in Swanson’s absence. Allen and the first-team offense scored on 3 of 3 drives in move-the-ball sequences against the second-team defense.

“I’d say really after the first week back from spring break to where we are now, every day [Allen] just seems to go forward,” said Bielema, who was the only coach or player to meet with the media Saturday. “It’s just fun to watch his growth.”

Allen led a three-play touchdown drive on the first sequence with normal down-and-distance rules. The offense benefited from a pair of defensive fouls on the drive, including a face-mask call on Davyeon McKinney, before facing second-and-3 from the 47. Allen heaved a pass deep down the right sideline on which Herndon paused and fought back over cornerback Carroll Washington to make the catch, then sprinted for the big-play score.

On the first-team offense’s next move-the-ball series, Alex Collins had a 13-yard run to the opposing 47, but the drive stalled when Allen was stopped on a third-down scramble at the 40. Zach Hocker came on to kick a 57-yard field goal that had enough leg to be good from another 5 or more yards away.

In red zone work earlier in the scrimmage, Allen found Herndon on a back-shoulder throw to convert a third-and-7 in front of corner Jared Collins down to the 2-yard line. Collins powered in for a 1-yard touchdown three snaps later.

Collins took a toss play 11 yards at right end on his first live touch, a run that brought applause from the crowd. He finished with 40 yards on 12 carries to lead all rushers.

Herndon had just two catches, but his 64 receiving yards were tops among the receivers. Horton led the way with six catches for 63 yards.

“I was really excited about Julian,” Bielema said. “Of course he’s going to tell you about the one [drop], which obviously was a third-down catch and we try to simulate the importance of staying on the field. But that first big catch over the middle, he just framed it up, played big.

D’Arthur Cowan had four receptions for 54 yards, including a well-executed 31-yard deep ball from AJ Derby behind smothering coverage from Tevin Mitchel.

The second-team offense wasn’t as efficient. Derby completed 9 of 19 passes for 106 yards. Derby was “sacked” twice on his first move-the-ball series with the second team, first by senior Chris Smith for a 6-yard loss and then by blitzing linebacker Austin Jones for an 8-yard loss.

The second-team offense’s next series went better, opening with Cowan’s diving 31-yard catch that moved the offense to the starting defense’s 41-yard line. A pass interference call on Will Hines followed shortly by Drew Morgan’s 19-yard catch and run brought the unit to the 6-yard line.

But the defensive starters repelled them from there, with Jones stuffing Kody Walker for no gain, Robert Thomas holding Patrick Arinze to 1-yard on a dive play, and Derby throwing wide of Morgan near the goal line on third down. John Henson’s 23-yard field goal went awry, preserving the first-team defensive unit’s “shutout.”

Brian Buehner completed 4 of 5 passes in limited duty, while freshman quarterbacks Austin Allen and Damon Mitchell combined for just three passes. Allen had a 20-yard completion to Anthony Antwine on his only pass of the day.

Freshman tight end Hunter Henry got off to a good start with four catches for 35 yards.

“Extremely gifted, and the best thing about Hunter Henry is it’s only beginning to scratch the surface,” Bielema said.

The Razorbacks conduct their media day today at Walker Pavilion and in the new Fred Smith Football Center.

Scrimmage stats Saturday At Reynolds Razorback Stadium

SCORING PLAYS

Alex Collins 1 run (Zach Hocker kick)

John Henson 42 FG

Javontee Herdon 47 pass from Brandon Allen (Hocker kick)

Hocker 57 FGINDIVIDUAL STATISTICS PASSING Brandon Allen 16-17-0, 204 yards, TD; AJ Derby 9-19-0, 106 yards;

Brian Buehner 4-5-0, 39 yards; Austin Allen 1-1-0, 20 yards; Damon Mitchell 0-2-0 RUSHING Alex Collins 12-40, TD; Kody Walker 9-31; Patrick Arinze 3-24; Jojo Wynn 5-19; Jonathan Williams 10-17;

Nate Holmes 7-13; Denzell Evans 4-8 RECEIVING Javontee Herndon 2-64, TD;

Julian Horton 6-63; D’Arthur Cowan 4-54; Jonathan Williams 2-45; Drew Morgan 3-43; Hunter Henry 4-35; Anthony Antwine 2-31; Chris Saunders 1-15;

Demetrius Wilson 1-13; Jeremy Sprinkle 1-12; Mitchell Loewen 1-5; Patrick Arinze 1-2; Kody Walker 2-(-1)DEFENSIVE STATS TACKLES Jarrett Lake 9, Kelvin Fisher 7, Braylon Mitchell 7, Martell Spaight 7, Detrich Wise 6, Brooks Elllis 6, TQ Coleman 5, Eric Bennett 5, Robert Thomas 5, Otha Peters 5 TACKLES FOR LOSS JaMichael Winston 2-13, Braylon Mitchell 2-11, Chris Smith 2-11, Brooks Ellis 2-9, TQ Coleman 1-2, Austin Jones 1-7, Martell Spaight 1-1 SACKS JaMichael Winston 2-13, Chris Smith 2-11, Brooks Ellis 1-8, Austin Jones 1-7, Mitchell 1-6 PASS BREAKUPS Tevin Mitchel, Will Hines

Sports, Pages 21 on 08/11/2013

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