FIRST DOWN
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino’s message to the Razorbacks’ defense was heard loud and clear on the practice field Monday. It just took the group a little longer than expected to heed his words.
Petrino was heard urging the entire group to pick up its intensity on numerous occasions during Arkansas’ first day in full pads. The Razorbacks’ offense had success during some non-tackling portions of practice and it stirred Petrino’s frustration with the other side of the ball.
“Run to the ball defense,” Petrino yelled after running back Dennis Johnson gained easy yards after one play during an 11-on-11 drill Monday.
The frustration was aimed at everyone. After another play that gained yardage, Petrino shouted “everybody runs to the ball. You too captain.”
It’s not clear if he was talking to defensive captains Jake Bequette or Ramon Broadway. But both defenders were on the field at the time.
Safety Rudell Crim said the message is important, crediting Arkansas’ success in forcing turnovers last season to its ability to run to the football.
“We’re making sure that we do the same thing,” Crim said. “But even better this year.”
But defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the coaches were “urging” players to run to the ball too much to his liking. The goal, he said, is to make sure players hold each other accountable.
“We’d like to be able to do it right from the get-go,” Robinson said. “We don’t need one guy to drag the rest down. So somebody has got to step up and say you’re going to do it or you don’t.”
Two-Minute Drill
• Sophomore Ross Rasner was working in a different position during Monday’s practice. The safety has moved down to linebacker where he is working at the linebacker/safety position behind starter Jerico Nelson. Robinson said Rasner seems like a good fit at the spot: “(Rasner) was very happy to make that move and we think it was probably a smart move for us as a team,” Robinson said.
• Arkansas took a look at six punt returners during the full-team practice. Johnson, cornerback Eric Bennett, and wide receivers Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton and Ryan Farr took turns fielding punts during two practice segments. Petrino spent the early segment working with the punt returners and coached punters Dylan Breeding, Zach Hocker and Weston Cox later.
• Cornerback Andru Stewart is making a habit of intercepting passes in practice. The senior grabbed his third of the preseason Monday, jumping in front of a pass during seven-on-seven drills. Stewart, Rasner and safety Tramain Thomas each had interceptions during the portion of practice. Thomas’ came on a strange play in which a deep sideline pass thrown by quarterback Ryan Mallett bounced off receiver Greg Childs and cornerback Ramon Broadway before being caught by Thomas.
• Offensive tackle Anthony Oden missed Monday’s practice because of a court appearance for his driving under the influence arrest earlier this summer. According to the Fayetteville District Court clerk, Oden pled guilty to the charges Monday and has sentencing set for Wednesday. Oden is expected to rejoin the team for today’s practices.
Injury Update
Freshman tight end Brad Hefley didn’t participate in the first full-team practice because of an unknown injury. He spent the time working with a member of Arkansas’ training staff. … Freshman wide receiver Marquel Wade was not with the team Monday. The reason for his absence was unknown.
Mallett Watch
Mallett added to his preseason honors collection Monday, being named to the watch lists for the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Maxwell awards. Both are presented to the nation’s top player.
The Walter Camp watch list will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists in mid-November and the winner will be announced on Dec. 9. The Maxwell Award semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 8 and three finalists will be named two weeks later. The Maxwell Award winner will also be named Dec. 9.
Mallett also is on the watch list for the Davey O’Brien and Manning awards, which are presented to the nation’s top quarterback.
Quotable
“It was absolutely a great idea. It allowed those younger kids to get more reps. … I like to think we’d do it again when we get that opportunity.” — Robinson, when asked what he thought about the first four days of the preseason, when newcomers and veterans practiced separately.
Up Next
Arkansas will be back on the practice field for its first two-a-days work Tuesday. The first practice will be held from 9 a.m. to 11. The second will begin at 4 p.m. and run until 6.
Both practices will be open to the public unless they are moved indoors because of weather concerns.
Follow Robbie Neiswanger on Twitter (@NWARobbie) for frequent news, notes and updates from Arkansas’ practices throughout the preseason.
