Hogs hope to keep bowl hopes alive
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Sports
"They try to confuse you, and it looks like at home they try to use the crowd to make you change your protection or plays when it's loud," Petrino said. "So we have to always be on top of what we're doing. We are going to have to execute fast and sharp."
On offense, Arkansas hopes to see another standout performance from freshman wide receiver Jarius Wright. After several quiet outings earlier in the season, the Warren native had a breakout game against Tulsa with five receptions for 112 yards.
According to him, his sudden breakthrough came as a result of adapting to Division-I football along with constant encouragement from coaches.
"All week, [Coach Petrino] had been telling me to go out and play like I did in high school when I went out each game believing I was the best," Wright said. "He told me that nothing has changed and to go out and play like that every game."
The result was Wright being Arkansas' second leading receiver against Tulsa. In addition to teammates Joe Adams and Greg Childs, Wright could have the potential to become the Razorbacks' third consistent freshman receiving threat.
"We thought it would be possible for us to have an impact. It's why we came here," Wright said. "We're getting our chances to shine in this offense, and it's been very good for us."
As the Razorbacks strengthen their receiving corps, Petrino also hopes to get the rushing game moving again after a sluggish performance last Saturday. He said the inability of junior tailback Michael Smith to match his past performances can be credited to Arkansas missing players, such as Ray Dominguez and Grant Cook, and Tulsa stacking their defense against the run.
Nevertheless, the Gamecocks will likely use their ever-changing defensive looks to protect against both the pass and the run. As a result, Petrino wants to put the ball in the hands of as many capable offensive players as possible.
"I think the more you can distribute the ball and get more guys involved, the harder it gets to defend," Petrino said.
Three games remain on Arkansas' schedule, and the Hogs must win at least two to become bowl eligible. All of them are conference games, with two on the road and the finale versus No. 13 LSU in Little Rock.
Consequently, a win over South Carolina could be key in Arkansas' quest for a bowl bid. And to be ready for the unpredictable Gamecocks, the Razorbacks' intensity and focus in practice this week will be imperative.
"We've been talking about bowl games a lot, since the beginning of the season we've worked to become bowl eligible and now we have a chance to do that," Wright said. "Each week we've come out and practiced hard, but we need to have even more intense practices this week."
On offense, Arkansas hopes to see another standout performance from freshman wide receiver Jarius Wright. After several quiet outings earlier in the season, the Warren native had a breakout game against Tulsa with five receptions for 112 yards.
According to him, his sudden breakthrough came as a result of adapting to Division-I football along with constant encouragement from coaches.
"All week, [Coach Petrino] had been telling me to go out and play like I did in high school when I went out each game believing I was the best," Wright said. "He told me that nothing has changed and to go out and play like that every game."
The result was Wright being Arkansas' second leading receiver against Tulsa. In addition to teammates Joe Adams and Greg Childs, Wright could have the potential to become the Razorbacks' third consistent freshman receiving threat.
"We thought it would be possible for us to have an impact. It's why we came here," Wright said. "We're getting our chances to shine in this offense, and it's been very good for us."
As the Razorbacks strengthen their receiving corps, Petrino also hopes to get the rushing game moving again after a sluggish performance last Saturday. He said the inability of junior tailback Michael Smith to match his past performances can be credited to Arkansas missing players, such as Ray Dominguez and Grant Cook, and Tulsa stacking their defense against the run.
Nevertheless, the Gamecocks will likely use their ever-changing defensive looks to protect against both the pass and the run. As a result, Petrino wants to put the ball in the hands of as many capable offensive players as possible.
"I think the more you can distribute the ball and get more guys involved, the harder it gets to defend," Petrino said.
Three games remain on Arkansas' schedule, and the Hogs must win at least two to become bowl eligible. All of them are conference games, with two on the road and the finale versus No. 13 LSU in Little Rock.
Consequently, a win over South Carolina could be key in Arkansas' quest for a bowl bid. And to be ready for the unpredictable Gamecocks, the Razorbacks' intensity and focus in practice this week will be imperative.
"We've been talking about bowl games a lot, since the beginning of the season we've worked to become bowl eligible and now we have a chance to do that," Wright said. "Each week we've come out and practiced hard, but we need to have even more intense practices this week."
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