Hog calls

Dominique Reed not picking up where he left off

Arkansas senior wide receiver Dominique Reed slips by TCU junior cornerback Ranthony Texada following a reception in the second overtime on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arkansas senior wide receiver Dominique Reed slips by TCU junior cornerback Ranthony Texada following a reception in the second overtime on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Many in Arkansas know what Dominique Reed can do.

They saw it last year when Reed, a junior transfer receiver from Camden via Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, helped Arkansas to a 5-3 SEC season.

Reed made 24 of his season's 28 receptions in SEC games, including 7 for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns in the overtime victory over Ole Miss.

It was Reed who recovered Alex Collins' wayward lateral after Collins achieved a fourth-and-long first down running with the Hunter Henry heave.

Arkansas fans saw Reed's prowess in the Razorbacks' second SEC game last season when he caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in a victory at Tennessee.

Reed didn't have as much success in last Saturday's SEC opener for Arkansas against Texas A&M.

Reed missed what appeared to be catchable pass in the 45-24 loss. Much worse, Reed fumbled to A&M on his one run.

For whatever reason, Arkansas' fastest Razorback has only displayed flashes of last year's performances that made him Arkansas' most dangerous deep receiver and a breakaway threat running reverses.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said Monday that Reed's opportunities against A&M last Saturday had more to do with what Reed did last season than how he has played this season.

"Gave him a shot on Saturday even though I didn't feel great about his preparation week," Bielema said. "He's a kid that has very, very special talents. But I don't care if you are as fast as Usain Bolt. If you're not gonna do it the way we ask you to do it, if you're not gonna hang on to the football, you're not gonna be on the field."

Fellow senior receiver Cody Hollister, catching six passes since, didn't get thrown to the next game after drops in the season opener.

So does Reed drop to the end of the receiving line as the Razorbacks play Alcorn State in Saturday's nonconference game in Little Rock?

"The ball's in his hands," Bielema said. "Hopefully he responds in the right way this week."

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos also makes no promises.

"He's had opportunities the last couple of weeks to make plays and hasn't stepped up," Enos said. "He obviously needs to do that in practice during the week and then hopefully that'll carry over into the game."

Receivers Keon Hatcher, whose ailing hamstring may give Reed a bigger chance for a second chance this week, Drew Morgan, Jared Cornelius and Hollister have made plays that Reed hasn't, Enos said.

"If guys are running routes and getting open and making plays, they're going to be the guys that get the opportunities," Enos said. "Nobody's given up on him at all. We understand he can be a good player, but we have to put guys out there week to week that give us the best chance to win."

Reed's speed can serve as an effective complement to Arkansas' existing receiver talent.

But he likely requires a good work week and a good game Saturday to earn that SEC chance again.

Sports on 09/28/2016

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