Petrus, Carrington shine at Senior Bowl

— The state of Arkansas has two representatives in the Senior Bowl, and both made some eye-opening plays for the South team during the first two days of practice in Mobile, Ala.

Mike Herndon of The Press-Register in Mobile said Tuesday that Arkansas guard Petrus, 6-3, 304 pounds, certainly passed the eye test and blocked well in 1-on-1 work against Texas’ Lamarr Houston.

Petrus said his pass-protection work in drills could have been better, along with his drive blocking.

“What I need to improve on is drive blocking, vertical push, taking somebody and pushing them straight back,” Petrus said. “I’m used to reaching guys. That’s one of my strong points. My weakness is getting underneath guys and pushing them up. That’s what I need to improve on.”

Arkansas State defensive end Alex Carrington also had a strong day Tuesday, particularly against Idaho’s Mike Iupati, an Outland Trophy finalist who was taking snaps at left tackle.

New Era Scouting’s Matt Miller wrote: “Iupati got a couple looks at left tackle in the pass protection drill, and it did not go too well. He was absolutely trucked by Arkansas State defensive end Alex Carrington.”

Miller also wrote that Carrington, who measured 6-5, 284 pounds, showed solid technique and power off the snap, played with superb pad level and balance, and was the only defensive lineman to make Iupati “look silly.”

The Senior Bowl will be at 3 p.m. Central on Saturday.

Sports, Pages 21 on 01/27/2010

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