Spring Break
Productive spring nears close
Matt Jones
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
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The game will cap an eventful spring that has been spent implementing new systems on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Razorback offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said the Red-White Game will be important in determining depth chart going into the off-season.
"We want to end on a high note," Paul Petrino said. "We always talk about game day is show time. We need to ring the bell, go out there and have your best performance. When it matters most, that's when we've got to play our best."
The offense, primarily the passing game, will no doubt be the focal point Saturday. Casey Dick will quarterback the Red team, while Nathan Dick and Alex Mortensen will split reps for the White team, Bobby Petrino said.
Arkansas' passing game ranked near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and passing attempts last season. In his previous college head coaching stint at Louisville, Bobby Petrino's offenses ranked among the nation's leaders in many passing categories.
While passing the ball is important, Bobby Petrino said he is an advocate of a balanced offensive attack and will look for production Saturday from the running game.
One back in particular - Chip Gregory - will have Bobby Petrino's eye Saturday. Gregory made the switch from linebacker to running back this spring, but has been hampered by a high ankle sprain suffered in the first week of spring drills.
"It'd be nice if we could get him some work Saturday night in the spring game," Bobby Petrino said. "He needs to get some live work, get hit, get knocked down and see if he can do it about four or five times in a row."
Gregory is a "big back," offering a different style from Michael Smith (5-7, 175 pounds) and Brandon Barnett (5-10, 190 pounds), likely to be Arkansas' top two backs in the fall, who use their quickness and agility more. Gregory (6-3, 218 pounds) can be used more in third-and-short situations and as a pass blocker in the backfield, Bobby Petrino said.
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