FIRST DOWN
Arkansas didn’t escape its season opener against Tennessee Tech without some bad news.
The Razorbacks announced Tuesday that cornerback Seth Armbrust will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left knee injury in the 44-3 win.
“Seth is one of the hardest-working players on our team,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. “He started his career here as a walk-on and earned a scholarship by the way he approaches every day.
“It is unfortunate to see him injured; however, I’m certain he will take a similar approach to his recovery.”
The release did not specify the exact extent of Armbrust’s knee injury. It also did not reveal if Armbrust will undergo surgery, although it is likely since he will be sidelined the rest of the year.
Armbrust didn’t play a big role on Arkansas’ defense, but was a valuable special teams performer who recorded seven tackles and two blocked punts in 2009.
The biggest highlight of his career came against Eastern Michigan, when he blocked a punt, scooped it up and scored a touchdown in Arkansas’ win. Armbrust also blocked a punt in the Liberty Bowl against East Carolina.
Armbrust does have one fall of eligibility remaining.
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
• Arkansas practiced in a steady rain for the first time this season Tuesday. The workout was aimed to get the Razorbacks used to the potential for wet weather in Little Rock on Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe. Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said it was a distraction, but in a good way. In fact, when asked if there were any highlights Tuesday he said: “The rain.
• QB Ryan Mallett was sharp in the opener, but McGee was not happy with the way backups Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell performed in the fourth quarter. The two combined to complete 2 of 6 passes for 22 yards with an interception and Arkansas was held scoreless. “They did not make the proper plays,” McGee said. “I was not happy at all with their performance. They know it. They are not happy about it, either.”
• Special teams coordinator John L. Smith joked that he got in trouble for not suggesting a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter Saturday. Arkansas faced a fourth down at the 31, but opted to go for it instead of giving one of the place kickers a field goal opportunity. “He got on me and said why didn’t you tell me?” Smith said.
• DT Zach Stadther, who practiced in a black scout-team jersey last week, was back in white Monday. It’s not clear if Stadther, who was not with the team last Saturday, will be available to play against ULM, though.
POLL TALK
Arkansas’ win — coupled with a few Top 25 losses — pushed the Razorbacks up in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls on Tuesday.
The Hogs jumped from No. 17 to No. 14 in the AP poll, and No. 19 to No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches’ poll.
Arkansas is one of seven Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the AP poll, joining Alabama (No. 1), Florida (No. 8), LSU (No. 19), Auburn (No. 21), Georgia (No. 22) and South Carolina (No. 24).
INJURY REPORT
DT Patrick Jones and LB Bret Harris, were not on the field during the portion of practice open to the media Tuesday. Both missed the opener because of injuries.
QUOTABLE
“My birthday weekend I get to play football in the Rock and eat cake. My mom is going to bring me a cupcake. I don’t want a whole cake because of this losing weight thing. But a cupcake should do it.” — Tight end D.J. Williams, a Little Rock native who turns 22 on Friday.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
