By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright didn’t want to brag Saturday, but really couldn’t help it. The senior was certain his 57-yard touchdown catch on the first series of the Red-White Game set the tone for his team’s 45-14 win.

“I think that played a big part in the scrimmage,” Wright said. “I think that kind of threw some of their focus off.”

Wright proved to be one the offensive star of the White’s easy win, catching 5 passes for 157 yards with two touchdowns.

It included his big touchdown, which came on the third play from scrimmage. Wright caught a simple 10-yard pass, turned upfield and absorbed a blow from safety Ryan Farr. He stayed on his feet and sprinted the rest of the way to the endzone for the first of six White team touchdowns.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said it was the type of big play he had been urging his receivers to make all spring.

“We haven’t had the yards after catch that we normally get,” Petrino said. “Obviously it showed up (Saturday) with Jarius Wright.”

The senior made a similar play a little later when he caught a pass, broke a tackle and sprinted 52 yards down the sideline. He had accumulated three passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter.

It was only fitting that Wright ended the scoring Saturday when he caught a 12-yard pass from Wilson in the fourth quarter.

“He was electrifying,” Wilson said. “I got him the ball three or four times early and he made them pay. I saw him on the sideline halfway through (the scrimmage) and he was puking his guts up. I said, ‘We better not throw you the ball too many times.’

“He said, ‘Keep throwing it my way.’”

Wright believes it’s a connection that can carry over to next season. The Razorbacks have plenty of options out wide with Greg Childs, Joe Adams and Cobi Hamilton, but Wright believes he and Wilson have formed a good relationship over their careers.

“Me and Tyler have been on the same page,” Wright said. “We’ve been talking. That’s going to help us during the season.”

More INTs For Thomas
Safety Tramain Thomas had two spectacular one-handed interceptions during Arkansas’ two scrimmages this spring. So the senior’s goal for the Red-White game was simple: Add another highlight for the ESPN audience.

Thomas didn’t pull in anything worthy of a top 10 play, but did add to his interception total. He got his hands on two Brandon Mitchell passes, giving him four in Arkansas’ three scrimmages this spring.

“His experience and his ability to read the front shoulder of the quarterback is really showing up,” Petrino said. “He’s much faster than he’s been. In the last year and a half he’s really improved his speed. So he’s getting to the football, and he’s catching it when he’s getting there. I’ve really been impressed with his spring. He’s definitely the leader of the secondary.”

Thomas’ first interception Saturday came on a deep ball, which he intercepted at the 2-yard line. His second interception came off a pass tipped by receiver Joe Adams.

Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette joked that Thomas loses style points, though, considering he needed two hands for both.

“He’s slacking, man,” Bequette said.

Vanilla Defense
Arkansas’ defense didn’t get much pressure on either quarterback throughout Saturday’s scrimmage. But there was a good reason.

Petrino instructed the defenses to remain simple with the game on television. He didn’t want opponents to see exactly how his quarterbacks adjusted to the blitzes when they recognized them at the line Saturday.

“We didn’t do any blitzing,” Petrino said. “We didn’t do any pressure. Mainly because I didn’t want anything on TV with the offensive checks being on there and people getting to study that throughout the summer. So we went real vanilla.”

Record Attendance
Arkansas estimated its spring game crowd at 42,000 on Saturday. The attendance broke the program’s previous high of 40,200, which was set in Petrino’s first spring in 2008.

“I was really happy with the crowd,” Petrino said. “It was great to see all the Razorback fans come out. We got the sun to come out. It was nice and warm out there.

“There’s nothing better than to have that many recruits here and see the atmosphere we can have for a spring game.”

Injury Update
Cornerback Greg Gatson was injured during the first series of the scrimmage when he was blindsided with a block by receiver Marquel Wade. Gatson went to the locker room and did not return to the field.

His injury forced an in-game switch for senior Isaac Madison, who moved from White to Red to help out.

Running back Broderick Green, defensive tackles Byran Jones, D.D. Jones and Jatashun Beachum, and linebacker Austin Jones did not play because of injuries.

Halftime Awards
Arkansas honored its 2010 senior class at halftime Saturday, handing out framed jerseys to each departed player. The group also included quarterback Ryan Mallett, who left Arkansas after his junior season.

The Razorbacks handed out 2010 team awards as well. Players honored included: Mallett (offensive player of the year), Jerry Franklin (defensive player of the year), Zach Hocker (special teams player of the year), Jake Bequette (scholar athlete) and Knile Davis (most valuable player).

Familiar Faces
Arkansas welcomed back several former players for the spring game. The group included: Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden, Green Bay Packers long snapper Brett Goode, New York Giants offensive lineman Mitch Petrus, Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones and Cincinnati Bengals safety Ken Hamlin.

Each was recognized on the field during breaks in action in the first half.