FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson found his focus early and zeroed in on top targets Cobi Hamilton and Marquel Wade to pass for 366 yards and six touchdowns Friday afternoon in the Razorbacks’ scrimmage.
Wilson completed his first nine passes, missed three in a row and then connected on his final 14 to finish 23 of 26, according to unofficial statistics.
Hamilton led all receivers with 10 receptions for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Wade caught 8 passes for 187 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wade has seven touchdown catches in the Razorbacks’ two scrimmages this spring.
Wilson improvised on one of the scoring plays, averting blitz pressure by moving to his right, then dumping a pass over the head of Wade for a basket catch on the right sideline and a 22-yard touchdown.
Tailback Knile Davis did not engage in fullcontact work for the second scrimmage in a row.
Two-hand touch
One of Tyler Wilson’s touchdown throws, a 43-yarder to Cobi Hamilton deep down the left side, probably wouldn’t have been completed in a game.
It appeared defensive tackle D.D. Jones and blitzing cornerback Darius Winston were both in position to register a sack with twohand touches before Wilson uncorked the long-distance scoring pass.
Taver takes over
Assistant head coach Taver Johnson, placed in administrative charge of the football team with Coach Bobby Petrino on forced leave, was the sole member of the team to meet with the members of media Friday prior to the scrimmage.
Johnson said the team assembled together briefly before the workout.
“It was very quick, very brief,” Johnson said. “Our players got together and really did most of that. We broke down into individual meetings and went on as usual to get ready for the scrimmage.”
Johnson said the coaching staff has not discussed what would happen if Petrino is not retained following Athletic Director Jeff Long’s review of Petrino’s actions surrounding his motorcycle wreck with 25-year-old UA employee Jessica Dorrell.
Ground game
The Razorbacks scored three rushing touchdowns in the live-tackling work: Kody Walker from 3 yards out, Dennis Johnson from the 1 and Kiero Small from the 3.
Johnson’s touchdown came after Brandon Allen completed a long pass down the left sideline to Maudrecus Humphrey, who outjumped cornerback Kaelon Kelleybrew for the catch.
Cobi Hamilton’s 48-yard reception from Tyler Wilson set up the Small score, which came after Ronnie Wingo ran twice for 9 yards to the 3.
Hold that line
Arkansas’ first-team defense held strong after Chris Gragg caught a 35-yard pass on a deep crossing route and was brought down on a shoestring tackle from Ross Rasner.
After stopping some running plays, the defense won when Zach Hocker missed a 21-yard field-goal try.
Hocker finished the day 4 of 6 on field goals, connecting on three consecutive 42-yard tries to finish his day.
Sack exchange
Senior defensive tackle Lavunce Askew was credited with two sacks in unoffical statistics. Defensive tackle Robert Thomas, defensive lineman Horace Arkadie and defensive end Chris Smith each posted one sack.
Worth noting
Austin Tate made the most of his two receptions. The junior tight end caught a 55-yard scoring pass and then had a 38-yard grab. On the second, safety Rohan Gaines leaped for a pass breakup, but Tate grabbed the throw from Brandon Mitchell and turned it into a longer gain.
Linebacker Alonzo Highsmith, wearing a sling on his left arm to protect his injured pectoral tendon, walked the sidelines encouraging teammates.
Redshirt freshman receiver Quinta Funderburk did not attend the scrimmage. He was excused to attend a funeral.
Sports, Pages 22 on 04/07/2012