Arkansas hasn’t confirmed the extent of running back Knile Davis’ injury during Thursday night’s scrimmage in Razorback Stadium. It doesn’t need to. The details may remain sketchy, but the sound of Davis’ scream and some reaction from teammates has made it pretty clear the SEC’s leading returning rusher isn’t going to be around to help after suffering what appeared to be another severe ankle injury.
Consider this from running back Broderick Green via Twitter:
“Prayers go out to my RB Knile Davis pray he stays strong and knows GOD will see him through this difficult time. Please say a prayer for him,” Green tweeted last night.
Or this from offensive guard Grant Cook via Twitter:
“The Lord does everything for a reason, we may not understand it, but there is a plan set in motion! #GodBless7,” Cook tweeted last night
There’s no doubt losing Davis is a huge blow for the Razorbacks. He was as strong as the team’s linemen and as fast as receivers, according to workout numbers. He was elected a team captain because of his work ethic and ability to push others to excel. And, of course, he was the central figure in Arkansas’ offense last season when the Razorbacks went on a late-season run that pushed them into the Sugar Bowl.
It’s something Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino acknowledged during the team’s media day last Saturday.
“When you look at those last six games we became more balanced,” Petrino said. “We ran the offense through Knile Davis. He set things up for us which was way different than early in the year.”
So it has to be hard for the Razorbacks to swallow. Especially after watching Davis on the practice field this preseason. He looked fast — real fast — runing through holes. Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson noticed.
“We looked on film and what I see is obviously his acceleration and his speed off the ball,” Wilson said Tuesday. “But he’s finishing runs. You’ll see him sprinting 30, 40 yards down the field and finishing through the end zone with some explosion. That’s obviously fun to see and fun to watch on film and as a spectator.”
The good news for Arkansas? Go back to Petrino’s words from media day. The focal point of Arkansas’ offense late last year was “way different than early in the year.” The Razorbacks successful reinvented themselves after leaning on the passing game too much against Alabama and Auburn. Arkansas took the emphasis away from quarterback Ryan Mallett’s arm and placed it on Davis’ speed and explosion.
Also, it wasn’t long ago Petrino’s 2006 Louisville team lost Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Bush to a season-ending injury in the opening game. The Cardinals managed to rally together, went 12-1, reached the Orange Bowl and finished ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Granted, Louisville wasn’t playing in the SEC. But Arkansas does have offensive weapons.
No matter what Arkansas’ official word on Davis is today, it’s clear the onus is on Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee to retool their offense to other strengths the rest of the preseason. And it’s time for other players — like Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo — to carry the rushing load this season.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
