LITTLE ROCK — Google the names of Joe Adams and Chad Jones, and dozens of video links will pop up to what’s become known as “The Hit.”
It happened last season when Adams, an Arkansas receiver, had his helmet knocked off by Jones, LSU’s free safety, with a bone-jarring hit on a pass play over the middle.
Adams wasn’t able to hold onto the ball, but Jones was called for a personal foul because of the helmet-to-helmet hit. Four plays later, Adams caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mallett to give the Razorbacks a 30-23 lead with 1:18 left in regulation.
LSU rallied to win 33-30 in overtime, but Adams’ ability to absorb “The Hit” and come back to catch a go-ahead touchdown pass earned him plenty of admiration.
“A lot of guys sustain contact and suddenly it’s just not as important to hold onto that ball,” LSU Coach Les Miles said. “But Joe certainly makes those plays.”
Replays of “The Hit” have generated thousands of hits on the Internet.
“I’ve had lots of guys say, ‘You’re tough’ and all that, but I don’t look at it like that,” Adams said. “I got hit, and I knew I had to get back in the game.
“Big hits, that’s just part of playing football. You get hit, you’ve got to get back up. So I got back up.”
Adams, a junior from Little Rock, won’t have to worry about meeting up with Jones when the Razorbacks play LSU today at War Memorial Stadium. Jones is with the New York Giants, but is on the team’s injured reserve list because of leg injuries sustained in a car accident last summer.
Adams is back at full speed after being slowed by an ankle injury earlier this season and is making plays as a receiver, punt returner and occasionally at running back.
“I think Joe could probably play any position on the field except offensive and defensive line,” Mallett said. “Joe is that versatile and that athletic. I’m sure a lot of places he could play tailback.”
Adams, 5-11 and 190 pounds, has caught 38 passes for 633 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s also returned 13 punts for an SEC-leading average of 19.3 yards, including a school-record 97-yarder for a touchdown against Ole Miss, and rushed 4 times for 23 yards.
“I think Joe’s had a great season for us,” Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said. “He does an excellent job with the ball in his hands. He’s running his routes better than he ever has. He’s provided a lot of competitive spirit and confidence to our sideline and leadership just with his competitiveness.”
Adams said he enjoys lining up in the backfield, as he did for one snap at Mississippi State last week, taking a pitch from Mallett and running for a 4-yard gain.
“Whatever gets me the ball,” Adams said. “I like having the ball in my hands and making guys miss.”
Mallett said Adams is tough enough to run over defenders but prefers to elude them.
“Joe kind of prides himself on making guys look silly putting moves on them,” Mallett said.
Adams said he’s not surprised to be leading the SEC in punt return average.
“The punt return team, the rest of the guys, is really what’s got me there,” Adams said. “I can’t take all the credit. We’ve been doing it together.”
Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said Adams has “explosive” quickness.
“Joe also has an extreme amount of confidence, which you need,” McGee said. “He was a really important get for us when we first got to town.”
Adams has caught at least one pass in all 32 games he’s played for the Razorbacks and has career totals of 98 receptions for 1,578 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“I think Joe’s a tremendous player,” Miles said. “Very, very fast. A guy that makes you miss and has a penchant for the big play.”Adams at a glance COLLEGE Arkansas POSITION WR/PR CLASS Junior HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 190 pounds HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock/ Central Arkansas Christian NOTEWORTHY Averaging 19.3 yards as a punt returner to lead the SEC, including a school-record 97-yarder for a touchdown against Ole Miss. ... Has 38 catches for 633 yards and 4 touchdowns. ... Has at least 1 reception in all 32 games he’s played at Arkansas. ... Career totals of 98 catches for 1,578 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Sports, Pages 19 on 11/27/2010