FAYETTEVILLE - A crowd estimated at just more than 51,000 and an offense that showed more big-play capability than at any other time this spring highlighted Arkansas’ first Red-White spring game under Coach Bret Bielema on Saturday.
Bielema said after the scrimmage the staff could see things falling into place for the Razorbacks on and off the field over the past week, combining academic progress with on-the-field leaps and strong fan support at a function Friday.
“I think we’re in a great position where a lot of people in the world of college football, maybe in the outside world, don’t think a lot about Arkansas right now, but I guarantee you they will in short fashion,” Bielema said. “I really really like the progress we made.”
On what turned out to be the best weather day of spring drills, the Red team came outwith a 34-27 victory over the White team before the sun drenched crowd at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Red team, which was made up of Arkansas’ offensive players, scored four touchdowns and kicked two field goals while compiling a combined 540 total yards during four 12-minute quarters, what amounted to slightly more than three quarters of a real game.
All of the White team’s points came when kickers Zach Hocker and John Henson were showcased at the end of the first and third quarters without a defensive rush. Hocker and Hen-son combined to make 9 of 12 field goals, including 52-and 49-yarders by Hocker, to account for the White team’s 27 points. Hocker, who finished with seven field goals, and Henson, who made four, each kicked a field goal for the Red team.
“I guess the Hogs win,” said fullback Kiero Small, one of four Razorbacks who were a part of post game interviews along with Bielema. “Coach made it a very big point of having fun out there. … We left the field with everybody healthy, so it felt good.”
Center Travis Swanson said the Razorbacks have made “some huge steps” this spring.
“I don’t think we are where we need to be, but we have summer and fall camp to get there,” Swanson said.
Quarterbacks Brandon Allen, who worked exclusively with the starters, and Brandon Mitchell each threw a 26-yard touchdown pass.
Allen, who completed 11 of 16 passes for 158 yards, threw his touchdown pass to Demetrius Wilson on the first unit’s second series. The sophomore guided two scoring drives out of four firsthalf possessions, including a two-minute drive that resulted in Hocker’s 37-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
Mitchell completed 12 of 17 passes for 138 yards, and his scoring throw went to tight end Jeremy Sprinkle with 1:13 left in the first half to cap a 90-yard drive. Mitchell, a senior, led two scoring drives in three first-half opportunities and had the second unit in scoring range at the 11 before throwing an interception to safety TQ Coleman, who returned it 49 yards.
The offenses combined for 21 plays of 10 or more yards,16 passes and 5 running plays.
“When we go good against good, somebody’s got to give,” Bielema said. “I’m just glad that we were able to move the chains. We’ll have explosive plays.”
All the touchdowns came on what offensive coordinator Jim Chaney calls explosive plays, runs of 12 or more yards and passes of 16 or more yards.
Nate Holmes broke off an18-yard touchdown run in the third quarter with Mitchell at the controls, and D’Arthur Cowan made the day’s best catch, a 35-yard touchdowns pass between two defenders from AJ Derby on the first play of the fourth quarter as the final score of the game.
Coleman and Will Hines, who nabbed a tipped pass from Derby, had interceptions for the defense, and the offense did not have a fumble. The only penalties called were an offensive holding, defensive off sides and an illegal receiver down field that didn’t show up on the stat sheet.
“The decrease in the number of penalties, I think that’s championship football from the get-go,” Bielema said.
Walk-on big back Patrick Arinze led all rushers with 66 yards on nine carries, while Kody Walker added 40 yards on seven runs. Holmes had39 yards on nine carries, and Jonathan Williams ran nine times for 29 yards.
Javontee Herndon led the receivers with six catches for 85 yards for the first unit, and Wilson added four receptions for 70 yards. Second-teamer Keon Hatcher grabbed five passes for 60 yards.
Second-unit defensive backs Coleman and Ray Buchanan Jr. led the way with nine tackles each.
In the house
Arkansas hosted approximately 50 recruits on unofficial visits for the Red-White game Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Here are some of the notable prospects that attended the game:
DL Bijhon Jackson, 6-2, 325, 5.1, El Dorado Arkansas commitment. Rated No. 95 prospect in the nation by Tom Lemming.
DL Josh Frazier, 6-4, 324, 5.1, Springdale Har-Ber Highly coveted by Hogs. Rated No. 85 prospect in the nation by Lemming.
DE Solomon Thomas, 6-3, 256, 4.7, Coppell, Texas Has more than 30 offers, including Arkansas. Considered the top defensive lineman in Texas by Lemming.
Ath. Davion Hall, 6-3, 194, 4.5, Texarkana (Texas) Liberty-Eylau More than 10 offers, including Arkansas. One of the top safeties in the nation.
RB Soine Palelei, 5-10, 197, 4.35, Gonzales, (La.) East Ascension Has offers from Arkansas, Brigham Young, Utah and others.
TE Will Gragg, 6-4, 238, 4.7, Pine Bluff Younger brother of departing TE Chris Gragg. Sophomore who has an offer from Hogs.
RB Juan Day, 6-2, 209, 4.5, North Little Rock Arkansas commitment who has frame to carry 230 pounds in college.
CB Chris Murphy, 5-10, 180, 4.4, Marietta, (Ga.) Lassiter Has 16 offers, including Arkansas. Very athletic cover corner.
S Kirk Tucker, 6-2, 188, 4.5, Tucker, Ga. Arkansas is one of several offers. Hard-hitting safety who covers ground fast.
OL Zach Rogers, 6-3, 295 pounds, 5.06, Carrollton, (Texas) Hebron Arkansas was first to offer the 2015 prospect. Has added several other offers.
Sports, Pages 25 on 04/21/2013