FAYETTEVILLE — Winter walkthroughs and meetings allowed by the NCAA in recent years have smoothed out the rough edges at the start of spring training, and the new system, especially on offense, looks better than in previous years. Became.
For the Arkansas Razorbacks, the return to the Bobby Petrino offense was evident throughout two days of practice inside Walker Pavilion.
Coach Sam Pittman said the Razorbacks are playing more of a cover-3 zone defense early on, which is a factor in why Arkansas' offense appears to be ahead of its pace at this point last year. said.
video: Sam Pittman speaks to reporters Friday.
In short, running lanes are cleaner, receivers are more open, and Arkansas' offensive flow appears to be freer, and Petrino's scheme is part of that equation.
“I think the best thing is the NCAA understood that each team was going to be getting a lot of new players, so they allowed us to do walk-throughs and meetings.” Coach Sam Pittman said after Friday's second practice of the spring, which lasted just over two hours.
“It feels pretty good,” Pittman said of Petrino Brand’s adjustments to the offense.
“We're putting in quite a bit. You can tell by looking at the speed. How fast does a guy play? Or is he thinking about his assignment or is he thinking about his suitability? Are you thinking about where you are and what you are doing? How deep is my root? And all that kind of stuff. ”
Of course, things could change once they're in full pads on Sunday, but it looks like Arkansas' offense will be much better than last year's anemic version.
Photo gallery: Arkansas football spring practice
Pittman asked about how well the offense picks up on Petrino's plans and discussed his reputation a bit.
“I think whenever you're cited as 'good coach' or 'great coach' or whatever it is Bobby, it's first and foremost your ability to teach,” Pittman said. “And obviously your heart has to be a little different than other people's, it's his heart.
“But it's the ability to teach. It's the ability to communicate. And he's exceptionally talented at that.”
Petrino said his new offensive assistants, receivers coach Ronnie Fauci and offensive line coach Eric Mateos, also have great communication skills and fit the teacher's personality.
“They did a good job of adapting Coach Petrino's system,” Pittman said.
Junior quarterback transfer Taylen Green has been the starter and has taken all the reps so far, with junior JaColby Criswell and redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton splitting minutes between the second and third units on Friday. .
The quarterbacks had a solid day, but it could have been better with some misses on open targets and some 7-on-7 work during the team period.
In Friday's massive 7-on-7 period, Green completed 8 of 11 passes, while Criswell completed 6 of 9 and Singleton completed 5 of 8, making the true freshman left-hander KJ Jackson made 3 of 6 shots. In total, these QBs completed 22 passes. 64.7% of 34 throws.
The day was filled with big plays on both sides of the ball, including interceptions by young defensive backs Tevis Metcalf (7-for-7) and RJ Johnson (Team Blitz).
More from WholeHogSports: 3 takeout items from Friday
Both interceptions were against Jackson. Johnson's shot off the back of receiver Bryce Stevens's hip, which he also held for a moment, would have been for a pick-six.
“RJ is very fast,” Pittman said. “He's long. He didn't do much last year, but that's OK. He came back and didn't go into the portal, and I think that's starting to pay off for him.
“Tevis Metcalf is a baller. I mean, he's a tough guy and obviously comes from the Metcalf family. But he's knowledgeable, he came from a really good high school, and he's a knowledgeable player.”
Pittman said he praised Metcalf for his play after the interception, when good defense forced Singleton's pass wide.
“I told him…next play, when he redirected the slot [receiver] To me, it was an even better play than the one he picked,” Pittman said. “He made two really, really good plays, and he made some better plays, but he put together two really good plays.”
Veterans Andrew Armstrong and Tyron Broden both showed great catches with teamwork or 7-on-7 work. Broden, 6-7, now has added depth and wears No. 5, and on the second play of the team period he rose about 10 feet to bring in a high crossing route from Green, hitting tight end Luke Hasz. followed with one hand. Catch traffic going in the opposite direction.
On one team's final play of the period, after Singleton made an incredible over-the-catch down the right sideline, nearly every receiver and several tight ends ran all the way down the field, including redshirt freshman Dasmin James. blessed.
Tight end Virkies Gumbs had another strong day, taking what looked like a sure-fire interception from Jaden Johnson on one play with a quick pass over the middle and converting it into a sure-fire gainer from Singleton. changed to
Perhaps the most memorable play of the day was tailback Rashod Dubinion's wheel route catch from Criswell deep on the right sideline against linebacker JuJu Pope's sure-footed coverage. .
The Razorbacks held a closed-door practice on Sunday and are scheduled to return with morning workouts on Tuesday and Thursday before the team goes on spring break. The program's annual pro day is scheduled for Wednesday.
The team is scheduled to return for a sixth practice on Tuesday, March 26th.
