CYAN
MAGENTA
YELLOW BLACK
Arkansas Razorbacks
Page 22 • Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Daily Citizen
Arkansas
Razorbacks
Head coach: Bobby Petrino Conference: Southeastern 2010 record: 10-3 2010 conference finish: 2nd Last bowl appearance: 2010 (Sugar) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters:7 Offensive set: Multiple Defensive set: 4-3
2011 Schedule
Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26
Missouri State New Mexico (in LR) Troy @ Alabama* Texas A&M (in Arlington, TX) Auburn* @ Ole Miss* @ Vanderbilt* South Carolina* Tennessee* Mississippi State* (in LR) @ LSU*
2010 Results (10-3) Tennessee Tech Louisiana Monroe @ Georgia Alabama @ Texas A&M @ Auburn Ole Miss Vanderbilt @ South Carolina UTEP @ Mississippi State LSU Ohio State
W 44-33 W 31-7 W 31-24 L 24-40 W 24-17 L 65-43 W 38-24 W 49-14 W 41-20 W 58-21 W 38-31 W 31-23 L 31-26
Bobby Petrino Head Coach
Projected starting lineup
OFFENSE QB Tyler Wilson RB Ronnie Wingo FB Kiero Small LT Jason Peacock LG Alvin Bailey C Travis Swanson RG Grant Cook RT Anthony Oden TE Chris Gragg WR Joe Adams WR Greg Childs OFFENSE DE Jake Bequette DT Bryan Jones DT Robert Thomas DE Tenarius Wright LB Jerico Nelson LB Jerry Franklin LB Bret Harris CB Isaac Madison S Eric Bennett S Tramain Thomas CB Darius Winston
Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Soph. Soph. Sr. Soph. Jr. Sr. Sr.
6'3" 6'3" 5'10" 6'4" 6'5" 6'5" 6'4" 6'8" 6'3" 5'11" 6'3"
215 231 255 334 319 305 318 320 236 190 217
Sr. Soph. Soph. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Soph. Sr. Jr.
6'5" 6'2" 6'3" 6'2" 5'10" 6'1" 6'0" 5'11" 5'11" 6'0" 6'0"
271 312 325 252 211 245 224 185 190 198 185
Arkansas' Colton Miles-Nash blocks a punt during the Razorbacks' loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl earlier this year. The Hogs hope to improve on last seasons 10-3 record in Petrino's fourth year with the team. Arkansas News Bureau
Hogs embrace expectations By Kurt Voigt The Associated Press FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas linebackers coach Reggie Johnson had just teed off during a preseason golf outing when one of his playing partners offered up a potentially burdensome piece of news. "Coach, we've already reserved our hotel room in New Orleans and can't wait to see you there," the Razorbacks fan said. Such is life these days for the coaches and players at Arkansas, where thoughts of a Southeastern Conference title and trips to the Big Easy for the BCS title game lean more toward expected than hopeful. The Razorbacks have come a long way as coach Bobby Petrino prepares for his fourth season. After suffering through a 5-7 season in Petrino's first season in 2008, the Razorbacks went 10-3 last season and reached their first BCS bowl game. Thirteen true freshmen and seven other redshirt freshmen took the field that first season. The 18 of those who remain are eager to cap their careers with an exclamation mark in the postRyan Mallett era.
"That's what is exciting for me is that senior class," Petrino said. "The message to them is 'It's your last go-around. You've done a lot for this program ... You're the guys who have established our standards and how we operate.' "Now let's go finish it." Mallett left for the NFL following last season after he helped guide Arkansas to 18 wins in two seasons and set the school record for most yards passing. Petrino has yet to pick Mallett's successor at quarterback, though junior Tyler Wilson is perceived to have the edge over sophomore Brandon Mitchell. Wilson threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns in relief of Mallett at Auburn last season, and he was selected by his teammates as one of six team captains. The starter will have an abundance of returning offensive talent at his disposal. That includes junior Knile Davis, who led all SEC running backs with 1,322 yards rushing last season — averaging 147 yards over the final seven games of the season. And he will also have expectations hovering over every snap. Replacing Mallett isn't easy, but Wilson hasn't shied away from encouraging the high hopes for Arkansas.
"You've got to embrace and vocalize those expectations to an extent," Wilson said. "Because if you don't have any dreams or goals, then where do you aim? We're going to take those expectations and ride them as far as we'll go." Senior Greg Childs is one of four Arkansas receivers selected to the preseason Biletnikoff Award watch list, along with Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton and Jarius Wright. Childs was the team's leading receiver when he suffered a seasonending knee injury against Vanderbilt. He thought about leaving for the NFL, but decided to return because of his closeness with high school teammates Wright and tight end Chris Gragg as well as other friends on the team. Many of those were a part of the freshmen group that suffered through Petrino's first season, which included being outscored 139-31 during a threegame stretch of losses to Alabama, Texas and Florida. Despite the success of last season, Childs feels as if the Razorbacks have unfinished business on the field. "We got beat down that first season," Childs said. "But from there to now is a complete turnaround. You'll never see one of those games again for Arkansas."
White County football
Sunday, August 28, 2011 • Page 3
Let the football fanaticism begin
O
Petrino
"It's your last go-around. You're the guys who have established our standards... Now lets go finish it."
The Daily Citizen
Kyle Troutman
h, yes. It’s that time of year again. When swim trunks are replaced with padding and high school kids who have been used to sleeping all day wake up to 6 a.m. alarms, you know football season is just around the corner. When I think of high school football, I hearken back to my sophomore and junior years at Little Rock Central High School. In 2003, we were undefeated state champions; and in 2004, we repeated the title with only one loss on the season. I can speak for thousands of my schoolmates when I say there was nothing more exciting than watching our team clobber an opponent, or even sneak in a last-minute winning score. I can tell you that football fanaticism takes on a whole new meaning here, and I can’t wait to get right in the thick of it. My anticipation may be high, but the six White County high school teams and Harding University are pumped to get this season under way. Harding Academy had more success last year than any other White County team, winning its second league title and getting its first state championship berth. The question is, can they do it again? The Wildcats graduated 11 seniors in May, including two-time From left: Harding Academy's Jace Davis, Searcy's Mason Guthrie, Beebe's Matt Pursell and Rose Bud's Ethan Kurck chat before posall-state quarterback/safety and 2010 State ing for pictures for White County Football 2011 cover shoot on Aug. 22 at Riverview High School. Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com Farm Awards Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year Seth Keese. With as many graduated rushed for 374 yards and three touchdowns on Ramblers are also sporting a two-quarterback off a 6-4 season, nabbing wins in four of players as returning players, it will be interest- 47 carries last season. With his speed in the system in the likes of senior Nick Cartwright their last five games. They return 11 starting to see how Harding Academy handles the running game and senior Tony Rowley receiv- and newcomer Christian Reynolds. Reynolds ers, including five defensive players that season. ing, the Raiders should have a balanced attack led his junior high team to 13 wins over the allowed only 43 sacks last year, which was that takes them where they want to go. past two seasons with 30 touchdowns and the lowest in D2 football. Last year, the In Bald Knob, the Bulldogs are coming Beebe had a rough start last year, dropping only six picks. Coach Steve Rose said the Bisons averaged 385.7 yards per game and off a 9-win season, four short of the best-ever its first three games by a combined score of freshman has plenty of natural ability, but will 5.8 yards per play. If these numbers stay 2008 season when they recorded 13 wins 48-106. The Badgers surged though, pickit show at the high school level? high, and the number of sacks stays low, the and a conference championship. Sophomore ing up six wins in a row and narrowly losing Then there is Searcy. The Lions had their Bisons should have a run at the Gulf South quarterback Cordell Crisp leads the squad, to Batesville in the final game of the regular best year since 2003 last season and are work- Conference title. completing 56 percent of his passes last seaseason, which was for the league title. With ing to get above .500 this year. The Lions are So, there will be a gathering under the son for 3,863 yards and 47 touchdowns. After led by quarterback Dezmond Stegall, who has lights on Fridays and Saturdays this fall, and I graduating 12 seniors in May, the Bulldogs are eight returning starters on offense and seven on defense, the Badgers are looking to get an thrown for 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns have only one question: Where will you be? looking to get back to that 2008 winning marearly start this season and compete for the title in two seasons. It’s big plays like his 66-yard Let the fanaticism begin. gin and another title. again. TD pass against North Pulaski, or his 49-yard Riverview is coming off its first playoff Rose Bud, coming off a 2-win season, has rushing TD against Little Rock Hall that will Kyle Troutman covers sports for The Daily Citizen. win last season and is looking to repeat the make the Lions roar this year. He can be reached at ktroutman@thedailycitizen. success. McKenzie Jones is the team’s speedi- returning starters in all 15 positions and wants to take advantage of the experience. The Finally, the Harding Bisons are coming com, or 501-268-8621. est player with a 4.6-second 40-yard-dash. He