FAYETTEVILLE — Knile Davis was held out of Friday’s first spring scrimmage, but Dennis Johnson made sure Arkansas’ offense ran smoothly.
Johnson, a senior tailback, rushed 13 times for 80 yards, including touchdown runs of 15, 11 and 12 yards with some nifty cutbacks.
“He showed really good quickness and vision,” Coach Bobby Petrino said. “He accelerated faster than the safeties came down. That’s a lot of experience and a lot of speed.”
Johnson said scrimmages are always fun, even for a veteran player who has had 100-yard rushing games against LSU and Florida.
“Oh yeah, it felt good to be back hitting and scrimmaging, back to the things I love to do,” he said.
“It felt good getting back in the end zone.”
Davis, an All-SEC tailback in 2010 who missed last season after undergoing ankle surgery, took part in drills before the scrimmage, and said earlier this spring he’s 100 percent healthy.
Petrino said Davis “always wants to go,” but whether he is involved in contact will be determined on a week-by week basis in consultation with the medical staff.
“He’s been doing everything. He’s been going full speed,” Petrino said. “He’s been cutting.
Everything looks good.
“It’s just something I consult with our medical staff, and we made a decision that let’s not tackle him today.”
Making progress
Senior Tenarius Wright gave himself mixed reviews after his first scrimmage at linebacker since moving from defensive end earlier this spring.
“Hopefully, it’s not as bad as I think it was,” Wright said. “I have to watch the film to see, but I think overall I got a little tired and that kind of made me play a little slower. But I’m making progress.”
Wright, who had six tackles and two pass breakups, said he’d give himself a B-minus or C-plus when asked to grade his scrimmage.
“I feel like I gave great effort, but I had some missed assignments,” he said.
“Nowhere near my best, but it’s a long spring and I’ve got time to get better.”
Wright said he’s gradually feeling more comfortable at linebacker, which he hadn’t played since the fall of 2008 when he was a true freshman.
“I feel my instincts coming back,” he said. “I’m starting to believe me eyes and going to the ball, just being a good football player.” Line shuffle
Junior guard Alvin Bailey, an All-SEC pick last season who has started 26 consecutive games, worked with the second-team offensive line Friday while redshirt freshman Luke Charpentier worked with the first team.
“We’re not going to get caught up on the depth,” Coach Bobby Petrino said.
Backup sophomore guard Mitch Smothers also got some work at center, as did senior guard Tyler Deacon, behind junior starter Travis Swanson.
“We’re always worried about who that backup center was going to be, so you always try to develop depth at that position,” Petrino said. “That’s something we’ve always done.”
Deacon has played center previously, but it’s a new position for Smothers, who played tackle last season.
“Mitch does a nice job with it,” Petrino said. “He snaps the ball well most of the time. ... He hesitates a little bit because he’s unsure. But I think those [guard and center] are his best positions.”
One that wasn’t
Tight end Chris Gragg made a one-handed catch, but it didn’t count.
Gragg, running the back line of the end zone, leaped high and hauled in a hard pass from Tyler Wilson, using his right hand only.
The 11-yard catch drew shouts from the crowd, but Gragg was ruled out of bounds.
The offense was not deterred, however, as Ronnie Wingo scored from the 1 three plays later.
Way ahead
Quarterback Tyler Wilson did not hesitate when asked how advanced he is from this point last spring.
“I’m way ahead,” he said. “I don’t know visually for you guys sitting in the stands how much different it is, but I know I’m a lot more comfortable. I feel more competitive, feel much more in charge, and I think that’s a huge step forward for me.”
Sports, Pages 27 on 03/31/2012