By Harry King
FAYETTEVILLE — Delivered 15 minutes prior to kickoff, the message was none
too subtle.
Normally, changes to the flip cards in place at each work station in the
pressbox are handed out, duly noted, and discarded. In lieu of specifics,
the page distributed Saturday evening said Arkansas starters for the
Eastern Michigan were “based on the evaluation by the UA coaching staff of
effort given each day in practice this week.”
It might as well have quoted head coach Bobby Petrino as saying: “If you
want to start for the Razorbacks, bust your rump in practice.”
The new faces were plentiful and a complete accounting was not available
until after halftime. Five Razorbacks, including freshmen defensive back
David Gordon and linebacker Terrell Williams, started for the first time in
their career; three others made their first start of the season.
In effect, the coaches wiped the slate clean when the week began and every
snap was scrutinized. Truly, it did not matter who started the week before
or the week before that or if a player was a preseason choice for
All-Southeastern Conference. First teamers were not demoted as much as
those who practiced better moved ahead of them.
Earn the start, the coaches said.
Cynics will say that Petrino could impose such a policy this week because
Eastern Michigan is barely a cut above an open week. The timing was
convenient, but, unlike some coaches, Petrino will hold his players to the
same standard next week and throughout November.
Eastern Michigan was a precursor to the four-game stretch that will
determine whether Petrino’s second season is acceptable, average, or
abysmal.
Paid about $650,000 to cooperate, the Eagles fulfilled the contract to the
nth degree. By halftime, it was out of hand to the point of being
uncomfortable.
The Eagles did record three way-too-easy touchdown passes, improving their
self-esteem and providing UA defensive coaches with fodder for teaching
with South Carolina in mind.
Petrino’s disdain for the opposition was evident on Arkansas’ first
possession. He did not think twice about a fourth-and-two from the Arkansas
48, calling on Ryan Mallett to throw to fullback John Durmon, who had not
touched the ball all year.
During the 63-27 victory, Arkansas fans gorged on big plays.
The atmosphere was so casual that nobody protested when Reggie Fish and
Anthony Leon, both wearing No. 1, violated a rule by being on the field at
the same time on a punt.
Mallett to Joe Adams, four weeks removed from a mild stroke, for 10 yards
and a second-quarter touchdown was the feel-good moment of the night.
Individually, accomplishments were as plentiful as Bernie Madoff Halloween
masks. Mallett, who struggled the past two weeks, completed his first nine
for 94 yards, gave way to Tyler Wilson, and then returned for two one-play
possessions and some other action.
Eastern Michigan was so bad that when the Eagles downed a punt on the
Arkansas 1 with 4:29 to play, the first thought was that somebody would go
99. Done, by Broderick Green on a handoff from Mallett. On the next
possession, it was Mallett to Adams for 78 and a TD.
When it was over, there was a check mark beside each of the Razorbacks’
goals:
—Win and get to 4-4.
—Avoid serious injury.
—Work on basics.
—Enjoy.
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Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau.
His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.
