By Harry King
FAYETTEVILLE — Incorporation of the entire package available in Arkansas’ new offensive alignment is at least a season away.
With Ryan Mallett at quarterback, the option is off limits, but be assured that the read-and-react series flows smoothly from the so-called “Shot.” Out of the “Gun,” or shotgun, any phase of the option is more contrived.
For those looking ahead, a glimpse of Razorback football, circa 2011, was available Saturday evening at the Red-White game.
Razorback quarterbacks not named Mallett contributed some big plays from the “Shot.”
On his first play, redshirt freshman Brandon Mitchell made a nice fake to Dennis Johnson, took advantage of Greg Childs’ questionable block on Andru Stewart and finished an 88-yard run by his lonesome. Mitchell also completed a 69-yard pass to Childs. Freshman Jacoby Walker, who arrived at semester, completed a 50-yarder to Lance Ray.
The formation also resulted in the easiest possible 47-yard touchdown pass early in the second half — Walker to Jarius Wright — and an almost equally easy 44-yard TD pass from Tyler Wilson to Cobi Hamilton.
The formation, alone, is not an end-all.
For instance, from the Red 12, White team quarterback Nick Petrino made a good fake to Ronnie Wingo and a poor throw to an open Knile Davis in the end zone.
Spring game accomplishments are one thing. Guaranteeing similar results against Alabama, LSU, Auburn and other Southeastern Conference opponents is impossible.
As for the look of the alignment, play along with a kids’ game:
Simon says, “Line up in the ‘I’ formation.”
Simon says, “Quarterback, take four steps back.”
And, the “Shot” is born. Transported from the University of Nevada by new offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, the formation is supposed to help the Razorbacks run the ball better next fall. Other than Mitchell’s long run, most of the big plays came via the pass.
Mallett, who set all sorts of passing records last year as a redshirt sophomore, got on the field, sort of. Wearing a red warmup suit and red cap, he received an individual award between quarters.
A known commodity, Mallett missed spring practice with a boot on his left foot. If he had played Saturday and the skies had not been ominous and the game had not been on TV, the crowd might have been the 30,000 that was announced. Anticipating rain, fans staked out spots beneath the overhang on the West side and in the South end zone long before the opening kickoff.
The clock stopped only for commercials in the second half and those that hung in for the fourth quarter cheered loudly for Alex Tejada’s 38-yard field goal that broke a 21-21 tie.
In an attempt to create competition, the coaches divided the teams as evenly as possible. As a result, there was a mix of first-teamers and second-teamers on each squad, and some starters faced off. For instance, senior offensive tackle DeMarcus Love of the Red team was usually blocking junior defensive end Jake Bequette.
The coaches gleaned much more from the 130-play scrimmage on April 16 when the first offense went against the No. 1 defense and the second units squared off.
On Saturday, head coach Bobby Petrino called the plays for the White team and his new offensive coordinator, Garrick McGee, did the duties for the Red team. When they collaborate this fall, they will be in agreement as far as Mallett and the option.
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Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.
