By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hasn’t forgotten last year’s trip to Cowboys Stadium, saying the first experience playing inside Jerry Jones’ spacious palace was pretty remarkable.
Defensive end Tenarius Wright was among them as the Razorbacks (3-1) prepare for Saturday’s return trip to play Texas A&M (3-1). He remembers the massive jumbotron and impressive atmosphere. But the sophomore thinks about something else, too.
“Last year’s game was a big game for me,” Wright said. “Most people said it was my coming out game.”
Wright came up big against the Aggies, collecting a sack and two forced fumbles. His biggest play came in the second quarter, when he knocked the ball out of Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson’s hands inside Arkansas’ 10 and linebacker Jerry Franklin scooped it up and scored a touchdown.
The defensive stand helped turn the tide in a game Arkansas had once trailed. But it also proved to be the moment Wright and the Razorbacks finally began to realize his potential at defensive end, a performance Arkansas would like him duplicate.
“It was just a great game from a redshirt freshman,” Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette said. “That’s one of the reasons he was freshman All-SEC and one of the reasons why he’s playing and contributing a lot this year. Last year he really took advantage of their offensive line and hopefully we can do that again this year.”
Wright believes he’s ready for another big outing after being forced to practice some patience the past several months.
His offseason didn’t exactly go as planned. Wright broke a bone in his foot (the same injury suffered by quarterback Ryan Mallett) over the winter and missed spring practice. Then, Wright tried to put on weight in his time off and climbed as high as 252 pounds. But that led to other problems.
“It affected my back a little,” Wright said. “So I dropped a little weight, did a little more cardio and I feel perfect. I feel 100 percent.”
Bequette joked Wright got a “nice little break” during two-a-days while the Razorbacks were sweating in the heat. But Wright did some work on his own, too, trimming down to 245 pounds.
The foot is fine now. The back feels good, too. It was evident when Wright set a career mark in sacks (2) against top-ranked Alabama, including one drive-ending tackle that momentarily protected Arkansas’ lead in the fourth quarter.
He has 2 1/2 sacks this season, working in a defensive end rotation that includes Bequette (3 sacks) and senior Damario Ambrose (2).
“I think Tank really came on in the Alabama game and looked like he did towards the end of last year,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “This was kind of a breakout game for him a year ago and really changed our speed coming off the edge. I think he’s ready to go. He’s healthy. He’s full speed and hopefully will have a big game for us.”
Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the best thing the Razorbacks can do is get Wright on the field and “turn him loose” Saturday.
There’s no doubt his biggest strength is getting after the quarterback and creating havoc with ball carriers.
“He’s dogmatic in getting to the ball,” Robinson said. “His energy when he steps on the field, we don’t have a lot of guys like him when he’s ready to roll. We feel like he’s there and he’ll be ready to play. We can’t wait to get him on the field.”
Wright can’t wait, either. He may not be a Texas native like so many other Razorbacks, but playing in Cowboys Stadium holds special meaning to him.
After all, it was the first time he made a big impact on the field for the Hogs. And, in Wright’s words, he left the field “smiling and laughing.”
So after a slow start to the 2010 season, Wright is healthy and planning to smile again Saturday.
“I had a quiet first two, three games, but I came out hungry every day,” Wright said. “I came out trying to make myself better and it’s really paying off now.”
Saturday’s Ticket
Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 in Big 12) vs. No. 11 Arkansas (3-1, 1-1 in SEC)
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas
TV: ABC
Radio: Razorback Sports Network
Satellite Radio: Sirius (Ch. 218), XM (Ch. 201)
Series Record: Arkansas leads 39-24-3
Last Meeting: Arkansas 47, Texas A&M 19 in 2009
Coaches: Arkansas — Bobby Petrino (16-13 in third season); Texas A&M — Mike Sherman (13-16 in third season)
