HOOVER, Ala. — Kevin Trainor came to SEC football media days on Wednesday, a day earlier than Coach Bobby Petrino and the rest of the Arkansas contingent. Zack Higbee will stay an extra day after the Razorbacks’ appearance today.
Arkansas’ athletic media relations honchos are on the job when it comes to promoting quarterback Ryan Mallett and the rest of the Razorbacks for postseason awards.
Mallett, who is being presented as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy by Arkansas, graces the media guide cover by himself, a rare occurrence in the annals of Razorbacks football. Consider that two-time Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden shared the cover of the 2007 UA media guide with Marcus Monk, Peyton Hillis and Felix Jones, and that was after McFadden finished second in the 2006 Heisman balloting.
And Mallett will take questions today at the main podium, reserved for the SEC’s biggest stars, as opposed to being relegated to one of the side tables.
The media has bombarded Arkansas with requests for Mallett interview access throughout the summer, prompting a teleconference last week. The Razorbacks are just hoping Mallett-ma-nia is a season-long event, meaning the Hogs are in contention for a championship run in the SEC.
Petrino stresses a team identity as much as any coach around, but Trainor said Petrino was on board with the media guide cover.
“It’s an important step in establishing an identity,” said Trainor, UA’s associate athletic director for media relations. “We felt it was the right step. Coach has been involved throughout and will continue to involved.”
Trainor pointed out that an awards campaign for Mallett extends well beyond the Heisman race.
“The Heisman is certainly the most coveted and the most debated award. But as you work through the process, it works hand-in-hand with all the awards,” Trainor said.
Heisman campaigns are designed to make media members aware of a school’s player, but they do not ensure victory. Trainor pointed out Oregon erected a full-sized Times Square billboard to promote quarterback Joey Harrington (fourth in Heisman voting in 2001) and Memphis handed out miniature cars in hopes of sparking the candidacy of Wynne’s DeAngelo Williams’ (seventh in 2005).
“Performance on the field and team success are still the key elements,” he said.
Arkansas’ postseason awards candidates extend to tight end D.J. Williams, receivers Greg Childs, Joe Adams and Jarius Wright, offensive tackle DeMarcus Love, defensive ends Jake Bequette and Tenarius Wright, cornerback Ramon Broadway, linebacker Jerry Franklin and others.
Notes Key dates
Arkansas released its early season dates Wednesday. The Razorbacks report Aug. 4, have their first practice Aug. 5 and conduct their first day in pads Aug. 9 TV times
Arkansas’ season opener against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 4 will be a 6 p.m. kickoff at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, and it will be televised on a pay-per-view basis. KATV anchor Scott Inman and ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes will work the broadcast booth for that game.
The Hogs’ week two game against Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock will kick off at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast by Fox Sports Net.
Arkansas’ SEC opener at Georgia on Sept. 18 had already been announced as an 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN or ESPN 2.
CBS Sports announced its doubleheader dates as Oct. 2 and Nov. 13. The Razorbacks have an open date Oct. 2, and they face Texas-El Paso on Nov. 13, meaning Arkansas probably will not be involved in those doubleheaders.
Hog homes
The Razorbacks have added to their list of home sites. On the back inside cover of its media guide, Arkansas lists three home stadiums: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, and Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Razorbacks defeated Texas A&M 47-19 in the new Cowboys Stadium last season, the first of a 10-year contract at the venue.
Sports, Pages 19 on 07/22/2010