By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino and Kansas State’s Bill Snyder haven’t had time to watch games while preparing for the Cotton Bowl.
So neither has paid attention to the special teams moments that have shaped the outcome of several games the past few days. But no one needs to inform either veteran how important special teams play could be when their teams meet Friday.
“I can’t speak for Bobby, but I’m quite certain he probably feels the same way, I think all coaches do,” Snyder said. “You’re probably not going to have the kind of success you hope for if you are not prominent with your special teams.”
Arkansas feels good about its chances on special teams, turning in an impressive year with five touchdowns on returns. The Razorbacks also have been sound in wins with kickoff and punt coverage.
But there have been special teams issues in the two losses. The Razorbacks allowed punt returns for touchdowns against LSU and Alabama. Both touchdowns proved to be game-changing moments.
The Razorbacks also are going through a change in special teams coordinators this month. John L. Smith was named head coach at Weber State and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell has been named the team’s new special teams coordinator.
“We’re working hard at it. Our players have gotten extra work and coaching on it,” Petrino said. “Every game you play, it plays a big part.”
Caldwell joked he wasn’t “smart enough” to put in new wrinkles for the Razorbacks on special teams during bowl prep. Instead, he said Arkansas’ goal is to be sound with what it does and prepare for anything Kansas State has up its sleeves.
“You do have to be concerned about them having to put in something new,” Caldwell said. “I’m just trying to make sure we’re sound in what we’re doing and we stay focused on the little things.”
Jack Remains
Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said the Razorbacks haven’t altered much defensively for the bowl game. Changes will come later.
But Haynes confirmed one position that has been prominent with the Razorbacks the past four seasons will remain — the jack linebacker.
“Those type of guys, that position, will stay for sure,” Haynes said. “For me in the past, guys like Jerico (Nelson) were very productive and very active. That’s really what that position is for.”
Nelson will play his final game in the Cotton Bowl. He has split time at the jack position with Ross Rasner, who is the likely choice to play a bigger role in Haynes’ defense in 2012.
“That tweener between that safety and linebacker is the type of guy you look for in those positions,” Haynes said. “That guy has been, what I’m used to, is probably one of the most productive guys on our football team.”
BCS Bowl
Several Razorbacks said the Cotton Bowl matchup between No. 6 Arkansas and No. 8 Kansas State feels like a BCS game. Both coaches were asked Wednesday if they think the Cotton Bowl deserves to be a BCS game in the future.
“I only have one answer that I can make here, right?” Snyder said. “It has to be yes. From the bottom of my heart, I certainly think so.”
Petrino thought back to his first Cotton Bowl experience in 2008, when he was observing the Razorbacks after being hired in Dec. 2007. He thought BCS was a deserving title then, before the game even moved to Cowboys Stadium.
“I was kind of surprised that it wasn’t in the BCS,” Petrino said. “Certainly we will see what happens here in the near future. … The way we have been treated here and the move to Cowboys Stadium, I certainly think it will be.”
Keep It Going
Arkansas will play in Cowboys Stadium on Friday night. But future appearances in Jerry Jones’ stadium are, at least, up in the air because of the uncertainty surrounding the Southwest Classic.
Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright — who will play in the stadium for the last time with the Razorbacks — hopes it’s not the end. Arkansas will try to improve to 4-0 in the building Friday.
“I’d love for my team to be able to play there every year,” Wright said. “It’s a great experience and I wouldn’t want to take away from the guys.”
Welcome, But Good-Bye
Petrino said the Razorbacks were looking forward to seeing fans arrive in the next couple of days for the Cotton Bowl. But he also said the Razorbacks won’t stick around the Hilton Anatole Hotel, the team’s headquarters, long to mingle with many of them with gameday approaching.
“Now we need to get ready for the game and we know that is going to be fun,” Petrino said. “All the fans will start coming in (Wednesday) and start filing up the hotel and we’ll move (Thursday) to a different hotel.“
New Year, New Plans?
Petrino was asked during Wednesday’s press conference if his New Year’s resolution was to cool down his fiery sideline demeanor, which was criticized after Arkansas’ loss at LSU on Nov. 25.
Petrino said he had something else in mind.
“Actually, my New Year’s resolution was to get in shape,” Petrino said. “I’m working hard at that.”
