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Arkansas football fall
practice begins
John Thomas
FAYETTEVILLE
- The University of Arkansas football team conducted its first practice
of the 2011 season on Thursday. With head coach Bobby Petrino entering
his fourth year at the helm and the team fresh off its first BCS berth
in the Sugar Bowl, this year’s team is ready to embark on another
successful season.
One of the first things that caught Coach Petrino’s eye was the
talent of the group of newcomers for this season.
“It was good to see that freshman group and some of the
sophomores,” said Coach Petrino. “I thought we got a lot
accomplished, they learned how to practice and it was new to them. The
tempo, intensity and the volume was new to them. You can really tell
the difference in the guys that were here last year and the brand new
guys. I do really feel like it’s a talented group, particularly
at the defensive line and the secondary.”
Practices were split into two sessions, with newcomers going first
prior to the veterans, who practiced later in the day. With the split
practices, Coach Petrino was able to notice that the defense looked
great on the first day.
“There’s no question the defense is ahead of the
offense,” he said. “That’s probably because they know
what they’re doing and I’m encouraged by their intensity
and how they executed.”
On the other side of the ball, Coach Petrino said it was the group of
running backs who had the best practice overall.
“The running backs were very good today, especially in the drill
work,” said Coach Petrino. “They are really concentrating
on getting to their speed as quick as they can and that will allow us
to get some big runs when we get our front blocked.”
With the start of a new practice season, the Razorbacks also practiced
under a little change of scenery from years past. Both practice
sessions were held on the intramural fields, just down the road from
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Coach Petrino said that the move
was something they had been thinking about all summer.
“It took us the entire summer to decide to do this,” he
said. “We had a great grounds crew that came down and worked
extremely hard on it all summer and getting it in condition where we
can practice. We really are just looking for more room. We want to be
able to have that type of space for our individual drills and
everything we need to do to get better. I think it will really help us
for the next week and a half.”
Thursday’s first practice was also the first look at the newly
appointed captains for the 2011 season: Jake Bequette, Jerry Franklin,
Jerico Nelson, Jarius Wright, Knile Davis and Tyler Wilson.
“I think the players did a good job in selection with the
captains,” Coach Petrino said. “We waited this year to
select them, but when you look at who they are with Bequette and
Franklin, who were captains a year ago. Jericho Nelson has been
starting for four years, making all kinds of plays and a tremendous
leader by example even though he’s not the most vocal guy in the
world. Knile has really taken over a leadership role ever since we got
back from the bowl game, just quietly leading from the front. Then,
with the vote of Tyler, it just shows his hard work ever since we got
back from the bowl game.”
Arkansas will return to practice Friday with workouts for the newcomers
starting at 3 p.m. and then the veterans beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Practices will remain open to the public through August 20, excluding
Aug. 14 and Aug. 18. The team is scheduled to practice on the
intramural fields, located next to the Dills Indoor Tennis Courts, from
Aug. 4-17.
The Razorbacks will kick off the 2011 football season inside Donald W.
Reynolds Razorback Stadium against Missouri State on Sept. 3. The game
is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff and will be available on pay-per-view.
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