By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — It wasn’t long ago Arkansas’ offense had an easy time in scrimmages.
Quarterbacks would find receivers streaking downfield for big plays. Running backs would burst through gaping holes for large chunks of yardage. And touchdown after touchdown would be scored at the expense of a defense that continually struggled to keep pace.
But something was different in Reynolds Razorback Stadium when Arkansas held its first full scrimmage of the preseason. The first-team defense fought back.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett and the rest of the offensive starters managed one touchdown drive during a scrimmage that lasted roughly 180 plays Saturday morning. Despite a slow start, the first-team defense provided more proof that it may be an improved bunch as the Razorbacks capped their first 10 days of practice.
“We’re miles ahead of where we were. Even in the spring,” said defensive end Jake Bequette, who forced two fumbles and broke up a pass in the end zone. “You turn the film on and we’re a different team. We’re flying to the football. I think anybody who watches that scrimmage can tell. Anybody who watches practice.”
Although, Bequette admitted it was hard to tell early.
Arkansas’ offense marched downfield with Mallett at the helm, putting together a drive that eventually ended with Alex Tejada’s 24-yard field goal. A little later, Mallett found receiver Greg Childs for a 54-yard play down the near sideline. Mallett hooked up with receiver Jarius Wright for a six-yard score one play later.
But after a halftime break, the defense clamped down on Mallett and company. There were four straight second half possessions in which the first-team offense didn’t score. Three ended with fumbles and another with a sack.
“Maybe that’s when you are a good football team when one side does some good things and the other side does some good things,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said of the difference between the defense in the first and second half. “I was a little bit concerned in the first half it was going to be one sided with the offense, but I thought the defense came back in the second half.”
Petrino credited the group for swarming to the football in the second half. Linemen slipped into the backfield to stop running backs. Ends got to the quarterback. Defensive backs tightened up and eliminated big plays.
Bequette played a big role in helping the Razorbacks earn a fourth down stop on the goal line. He broke up a pass intended for fullback Van Stumon from the one.
Arkansas ran two more plays anyway, getting a touchdown when Broderick Green finally crossed the goal line.
“The defense is better,” said Green, who led all rushers with 27 attempts Saturday. “They made big improvements.”
Mallett finished the scrimmage completing 24 of 46 passes for 274 yards with a touchdown. He said the offense did a good job of knocking the defense off the ball early, but mistakes grounded them later.
“The offense, we’ve got to be tougher,” Mallett said. “I was disappointed in myself and the whole offense in the second half. We can’t have that in real games.”
In all, the offense turned in four plays of 50 yards or more during Saturday’s scrimmage. Only one of those — Childs’ big catch — came against the starters.
Petrino said it was good to see the group eliminate the big play, which is one of Arkansas’ major emphasis this preseason after struggling in 2009. Cornerback Ramon Broadway said it was a good sign, too, although the defense was disappointed in the way it began Saturday.
“It’s something to build on,” Broadway said of the scrimmage. “But we’ve got a lot way to go as a defense.
“I’m not going to be satisfied with them not scoring a couple of times. I’m trying to shut guys out.”
