Spring Break
Hogs hope to become bowl eligible
Football
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Sports
However, never one to give up, Casey has impressed coaches and teammates since returning to practice this week. Receivers Lucas Miller and Carlton Salters noted Casey's increased intensity.
"I think Casey has come back with his mind into it," Miller said. "One of the things Carlton Salters discussed, when we were just throwing routes, was how much harder and more accurate Casey was throwing the ball."
Also healing from injury is junior tailback Michael Smith, who banged up his shoulder against South Carolina. Thus far, Smith has recovered quicker than expected, getting back on the practice field last week.
Though coaches continue to monitor him, Smith should be ready by Saturday.
"He's looked very quick and fast," Petrino said. "His legs are back and feeling good. [The injury] has been bothering him a little bit, but he has felt real good."
A key offensive player for Arkansas was recognized earlier this week. Tight end D.J. Williams was named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award.
The award is given to the top college football tight end in the nation each year. As a sophomore this season, Williams has set single-season Arkansas school records for receptions and receiving yards for a tight end.
"He's been our go-to guy and he's the guy who has had the big plays and a lot of third down conversions," Petrino said. "When D.J. is healthy at full speed he can run routes with anybody. He can break tackles and make big plays."
Next week it will be announced if Williams is one of the Mackey Award's three finalists. On the season, he is the Hogs' leading receiver, having caught 48 passes for 613 yards and two touchdowns. He averages 12.8 yards per catch and has a long of 76.
"He creates mismatches," senior center Jonathan Luigs said. "You wouldn't think a tight end and a linebacker would be a mismatch, but he has that speed and ability. He doesn't necessarily make people miss, but he fights off tackles. His double-digit catches the past few weeks has sparked the offense and helped us get things going."
As the 2008 season of heartbreaking losses and growing pains nears its end, the Razorbacks are eager to end their year on a high note. And though primarily a young team, both Arkansas upperclassmen and underclassmen are focused on making it to the postseason.
"I've played here two years and I've played in two bowl games," defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said. "I couldn't imagine not playing in one this year. Nobody wants to be sitting at home around Christmas and watching everyone else play."
"I think Casey has come back with his mind into it," Miller said. "One of the things Carlton Salters discussed, when we were just throwing routes, was how much harder and more accurate Casey was throwing the ball."
Also healing from injury is junior tailback Michael Smith, who banged up his shoulder against South Carolina. Thus far, Smith has recovered quicker than expected, getting back on the practice field last week.
Though coaches continue to monitor him, Smith should be ready by Saturday.
"He's looked very quick and fast," Petrino said. "His legs are back and feeling good. [The injury] has been bothering him a little bit, but he has felt real good."
A key offensive player for Arkansas was recognized earlier this week. Tight end D.J. Williams was named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award.
The award is given to the top college football tight end in the nation each year. As a sophomore this season, Williams has set single-season Arkansas school records for receptions and receiving yards for a tight end.
"He's been our go-to guy and he's the guy who has had the big plays and a lot of third down conversions," Petrino said. "When D.J. is healthy at full speed he can run routes with anybody. He can break tackles and make big plays."
Next week it will be announced if Williams is one of the Mackey Award's three finalists. On the season, he is the Hogs' leading receiver, having caught 48 passes for 613 yards and two touchdowns. He averages 12.8 yards per catch and has a long of 76.
"He creates mismatches," senior center Jonathan Luigs said. "You wouldn't think a tight end and a linebacker would be a mismatch, but he has that speed and ability. He doesn't necessarily make people miss, but he fights off tackles. His double-digit catches the past few weeks has sparked the offense and helped us get things going."
As the 2008 season of heartbreaking losses and growing pains nears its end, the Razorbacks are eager to end their year on a high note. And though primarily a young team, both Arkansas upperclassmen and underclassmen are focused on making it to the postseason.
"I've played here two years and I've played in two bowl games," defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said. "I couldn't imagine not playing in one this year. Nobody wants to be sitting at home around Christmas and watching everyone else play."
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