FIRST DOWN
Arkansas’ offensive effort was a disappointing on Monday morning. Dropped passes, bad throws, protection errors and other miscues dominated the workout in Razorback Stadium.
“It was awful as whole, really,” center Travis Swanson said. “We started off strong coming into two-a-days and kind of hit a peak and then we had a drop-off a little bit.”
The offense managed to bounce back after the poor showing, though, putting together a better performance in the afternoon practice. The group moved downfield during full team drills, was sharper and much improved.
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said some of the problems may have occurred because it is the “dog days” of preseason camp with mental and physical fatigue setting in for the Hogs. The Razorbacks are closing in on the two-week mark in practice and have held 11 practices in 12 days.
He said some of it may have been leftover from Saturday’s scrimmage, too, when the offense had problems late.
“They got out there feeling sorry for themselves this morning,” McGee said. “… But it was better this afternoon. They went in the locker room, they regrouped during the break and came out and had a better day this evening.”
McGee said he wasn’t concerned about the poor showing because Arkansas had regained its energy in the afternoon workout. The change came about, tight end D.J. Williams said, after a little reality check after the poor practice.
“I don’t think our attitude was needed to be,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t say our attitude was dreading practice, but it wasn’t focused on getting better. That’s something we need to get out of our system quick.”
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
• Arkansas made one big change to its defensive depth chart Monday, sliding senior Anthony Leon from safety to linebacker. Leon, who was Arkansas’ second-team safety through the first two weeks of preseason practice, was working with the second-team unit at linebacker. A few absences also shook up the first team group: Ryan Powers, Freddy Burton and Matt Marshall spent time with the first-team group during the morning workout with missing players.
• Williams was named to the Mackey Award preseason watch list for the second straight year. Williams was a Mackey Award finalist in 2008 and is one of 31 tight ends in consideration this fall. The Mackey Award winner will be announced Dec. 9. “I’m very humbled about it,” Williams said. “It makes you want to keep working hard.”
• Arkansas introduced a new place kicker to the competition Monday morning. Freshman Zach Hocker got his first opportunity to compete with Alex Tejada and Eddie Camara, making 6 of 10 attempts at the end of practice. Hocker got another opportunity in the afternoon working and made 3 of 4.
INJURY REPORT
Linebacker Jerry Franklin was not at either practice and the reason for his absence was not known. … Safety Rudell Crim did not practice Monday after leaving Saturday’s scrimmage. He worked off to the side during the afternoon practice. … Linebacker Jermaine Love missed both practices, spending his day working off to the side with an Arkansas trainer.
RADIO PERSONALITY FIRED
The radio personality called out by Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino for wearing a Florida Gators hat during the post-scrimmage press conference Saturday was fired Monday.
Renee Gork, who was hired by Northwest Arkansas’ The Hog Sports Radio in July as a producer of “The Pro Knows” show with former Arkansas receiver Mike Reppond, reported via Twitter on Monday morning she “was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today, but I won’t get that chance now … I’ve been fired.”
Gork’s choice of hats created a stir among fans after asking Petrino a question Saturday. Petrino responded, but then said it would be “the last question I answer with that hat on.”
QUOTABLE
“He’ll probably get lost somewhere tonight. I think he’s going to Vegas or something like that. Him and Coach Petrino are flying out after practice.” — Williams on quarterback Tyler Wilson, whose 21st birthday was Monday. Williams was joking, of course. No trip to Las Vegas was planned.
UP NEXT
Arkansas will be on the practice field once today with a workout scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11:30. The practice is open to the public unless it is moved indoors.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
