Hogs showing signs of improvement
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports
Starting sophomore tackle Ray Dominguez missed the game because of the serious illness of his grandmother, and was replaced by junior Michael Aguirre. Aguirre, however, was injured on the first play from scrimmage against Florida and was subsequently replaced by redshirt freshman Grant Freeman.
"I don't think Freeman thought he was going to play, but after the first play suddenly he was in there," Petrino said. "He really battled and got a lot of respect for how hard he played, how hard he worked at his technique during the game, and got better as the game went on. I think all of our players really respected that."
Freeman's play against the Gators has opened the competition over the starting spot for Saturday. Aguirre will be out for up to three weeks, Petrino said, leaving Freeman and Dominguez to duke it out.
"We'll just have to wait and see who gets the weak-side tackle spot," Petrino said. "Dominguez and Freeman will battle that out in practice this week."
The Hogs also hope to see freshman wide receiver Joe Adams continue his high level of play this week and on Saturday. Versus Florida, Adams had a breakout game by snagging five catches for 68 yards.
He also ran the ball once for 16 yards. UA tight end DJ Williams, the team's leading receiver on the season thus far, said Adams impressed him.
"I've known Joe since high school and I think he's just going to progress and become that impact, dominant highlight-maker player that he was then," Williams said. "You just don't see many freshmen come in and seem that comfortable on the field. They usually run the wrong routes or act hesitant, but Joe gets it."
Adams' presence at Arkansas is the result of tactful recruiting by Petrino and assistant coach Tim Horton. Last August, Adams committed to the Southern California Trojans.
However, the hire of Petrino in December later led to Adams drastically altering his plans.
"He was on his way to California," Petrino said. "I felt we needed help at receiver by freshmen, so it was a matter of selling him that we were going to throw the ball and put it in his hands to make plays. It's worked out pretty much like we said it would."
Perhaps the biggest focus for the Razorbacks this week will be putting everything together. After getting blown out quickly in two consecutive games, the Hogs made progress last week by going toe-to-toe with the No. 11 Florida for three quarters.
Playing a full game now seems within reach, and Arkansas players have been talking frequently as of late about turning the corner.
"We came into the season thinking it was going to work right off the bat, but as you can see progressively things are starting to come together," Williams said. "Things look good for us and for our future."
"I don't think Freeman thought he was going to play, but after the first play suddenly he was in there," Petrino said. "He really battled and got a lot of respect for how hard he played, how hard he worked at his technique during the game, and got better as the game went on. I think all of our players really respected that."
Freeman's play against the Gators has opened the competition over the starting spot for Saturday. Aguirre will be out for up to three weeks, Petrino said, leaving Freeman and Dominguez to duke it out.
"We'll just have to wait and see who gets the weak-side tackle spot," Petrino said. "Dominguez and Freeman will battle that out in practice this week."
The Hogs also hope to see freshman wide receiver Joe Adams continue his high level of play this week and on Saturday. Versus Florida, Adams had a breakout game by snagging five catches for 68 yards.
He also ran the ball once for 16 yards. UA tight end DJ Williams, the team's leading receiver on the season thus far, said Adams impressed him.
"I've known Joe since high school and I think he's just going to progress and become that impact, dominant highlight-maker player that he was then," Williams said. "You just don't see many freshmen come in and seem that comfortable on the field. They usually run the wrong routes or act hesitant, but Joe gets it."
Adams' presence at Arkansas is the result of tactful recruiting by Petrino and assistant coach Tim Horton. Last August, Adams committed to the Southern California Trojans.
However, the hire of Petrino in December later led to Adams drastically altering his plans.
"He was on his way to California," Petrino said. "I felt we needed help at receiver by freshmen, so it was a matter of selling him that we were going to throw the ball and put it in his hands to make plays. It's worked out pretty much like we said it would."
Perhaps the biggest focus for the Razorbacks this week will be putting everything together. After getting blown out quickly in two consecutive games, the Hogs made progress last week by going toe-to-toe with the No. 11 Florida for three quarters.
Playing a full game now seems within reach, and Arkansas players have been talking frequently as of late about turning the corner.
"We came into the season thinking it was going to work right off the bat, but as you can see progressively things are starting to come together," Williams said. "Things look good for us and for our future."
Be the first to comment on this story