FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson, whose absence the past six quarters has sent the Razorbacks’ offense into a funk, has been cleared to play in Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against Rutgers.
Wilson’s clearance, which came after a full week of practice for the senior from Greenwood, was announced Thursday during Coach John L. Smith’s news conference.
“Tyler will be ... he’s been cleared to go,” Smith said. “So that’s very exciting and we’re thankful that he is. So all of our preparation this week put into him is definitely not going to go to waste.”
Wilson said Monday that his testing during an ImPACT (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) exam was very close to his baseline score and sounded optimistic about his ability to return.
“Like I told the guys [Sunday] night, I’m going to do everything I can do to get back to play quarterback for this team this week,” Wilson said Monday during his only media availability this week.
Wilson playing will come as no surprise to Rutgers.
“We’re preparing for the game as if Tyler Wilson will be the quarterback,” Rutgers Coach Kyle Flood said Monday. “That’s how we’re going forward. I don’t think you could ever be ready to even attempt to defend somebody of his talent level without devoting your entire preparation to him.”
Arkansas’ offense was off to a strong start with Wilson under center, scoring 70 points in his five quarters. Since Wilson’s removal after a series of hard hit just before halftime against Louisiana-Monroe, the offense has plodded.
Freshman Brandon Allen directed a touchdown drive in his first series against the Warhawks, but Arkansas managed only a field goal in overtime the rest of the way and lost that game 34-31 after building a 28-7 lead.
Alabama mashed the Hogs 52-0 without Wilson.
Arkansas has been outscored 79-10 since losing Wilson, has managed just 245 total yards, and Allen and Brandon Mitchell have completed a combnined 17 of 45 passes (.378) for 164 yards and 1 touchdown and thrown 3 interceptions.
Their combined efficiency rating is 62.39 compared to Wilson’s 195.3, which ranks fourth in the nation.
Additionally, the running game has managed just 112 yards on 47 attempts, an average of 2.4 yards per carry, since Wilson was forced out.
Smith said Wilson had been undergoing testing after practices this week and that he had not been held out of any practice time.
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/21/2012