Florida provides challenge for Hogs
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports
The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference), with first-year head coach Bobby Petrino, have played the first half of the toughest four-game stretch in UA football history. So far, in two games, the result has been two losses and a trial-by-fire test of the young Hogs' faith in Petrino's system.
"We can't panic," Petrino said. "We've got to make sure that we stick to our beliefs, to our fundamentals, and how we're going to build this program and just keep grinding and working hard. I think our players will do that."
The past two opponents for Arkansas, which outscored the Hogs 101-24, have both moved into the Top 5 in the national rankings.
Texas moved to No. 5 following Saturday's blowout win in Austin.
The Alabama Crimson Tide rose to No. 2 after overwhelming Georgia 41-30. The Tide procured 21 first-place votes in the latest poll.
"The last two teams that we've played are very good football teams, [but] certainly we have to see more improvement," Petrino said. "I think there are areas we have improved at, but the problem is that sometimes those improvements don't show up on the scoreboard."
Up next for the Razorbacks is No. 12 Florida (3-1, 1-1 SEC). The Gators should be riled up following their first loss of the season after being stunned by Ole Miss in the Swamp 31-30.
In the loss, quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow threw for 319 passing yards and a touchdown. Perhaps more importantly, he also ran for a long of 21 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
"Tebow is certainly someone that we will have to keep in the pocket, [and] we have to be able to stop their quarterback running game," Petrino said. "They're going to run the ball and then you have to be able to sprint and contain him on the drop back when you know that he's just going to go on his own."
One area that will be addressed in practice this week for Arkansas will be quarterback protection. Against Texas, the Hogs gave up seven sacks. Four of those sacks were from the defensive line, two were from the linebackers and one was from the secondary.
"We can't panic," Petrino said. "We've got to make sure that we stick to our beliefs, to our fundamentals, and how we're going to build this program and just keep grinding and working hard. I think our players will do that."
The past two opponents for Arkansas, which outscored the Hogs 101-24, have both moved into the Top 5 in the national rankings.
Texas moved to No. 5 following Saturday's blowout win in Austin.
The Alabama Crimson Tide rose to No. 2 after overwhelming Georgia 41-30. The Tide procured 21 first-place votes in the latest poll.
"The last two teams that we've played are very good football teams, [but] certainly we have to see more improvement," Petrino said. "I think there are areas we have improved at, but the problem is that sometimes those improvements don't show up on the scoreboard."
Up next for the Razorbacks is No. 12 Florida (3-1, 1-1 SEC). The Gators should be riled up following their first loss of the season after being stunned by Ole Miss in the Swamp 31-30.
In the loss, quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow threw for 319 passing yards and a touchdown. Perhaps more importantly, he also ran for a long of 21 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
"Tebow is certainly someone that we will have to keep in the pocket, [and] we have to be able to stop their quarterback running game," Petrino said. "They're going to run the ball and then you have to be able to sprint and contain him on the drop back when you know that he's just going to go on his own."
One area that will be addressed in practice this week for Arkansas will be quarterback protection. Against Texas, the Hogs gave up seven sacks. Four of those sacks were from the defensive line, two were from the linebackers and one was from the secondary.
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