FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks did not scrimmage Saturday at the end of an up-and-down fourth week of spring drills.
"I really felt I've gotten some good work the last couple of Saturdays, so I just didn't want to push the envelope too much," Coach Bret Bielema said.
The Razorbacks engaged in a 135-play scrimmage April 8 and a 138-play scrimmage April 15, the two longest spring scrimmages in Bielema's five seasons.
Bielema said the Razorbacks bounced back well after slapdash work in helmets and shorts Tuesday.
"We've got really all phases of the game in now. The kids have really locked in well. Tuesday's practice I backed off, went helmets and were only out on the field about 15 periods.
"To be quite honest, that was probably one of our worst practices of the year. And it was really because I think our guys enjoy practicing in pads. We were in helmets only, which naturally slowed them down a little bit."
Bielema said the full-pad work since then, which included a 24-period grind Thursday and an indoor practice Saturday represented progress.
"We challenged them to have a great Thursday and Saturday and they did that," he said. "So now we go into our last week. We'll have a pretty intense practice on Tuesday. Thursday, probably go in half pack and then Saturday the spring game scrimmage."
Injury updates
Bret Bielema said offensive linemen Brian Wallace and Jake Raulerson suffered minor injuries this week that limited them in Saturday's practice inside the Walker Pavilion.
Bielema said Wallace had bruised arm that slowed him this week and he said Raulerson had a "not serious injury" that kept him out of Saturday's workout.
"He should be back on Tuesday," Bielema said.
Receiver Jonathan Nance (bruised knee) was cleared for full work Saturday after being held out parts of Tuesday and Thursday.
Running back Juan Day's status for next week's Red-White game is questionable.
"Every time he makes a step forward he tends to get something banged up, injury wise," Bielema said. "He has a great attitude and is working. Hopefully he'll be full speed next Saturday."
New place
Redshirt sophomore Jamario Bell has moved to outside linebacker, his third position with the Razorbacks. Bell, 6-5, 252-pounds from Junction City, signed as a defensive end, but moved to tight end, probably the deepest position on the team, last year. Bell is taking reps at the "Hog" outside linebacker spot, which is the heavier of the two outside spots.
"He kind of looked at me at first, wasn't all that excited," Bret Bielema said. "I talked to him and his mom, and he made the transition. He had probably as good a practice on Thursday as he's had in his career here. Just really excited about that move."
QB No. 2
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos said neither Ty Storey nor Cole Kelley has pushed ahead for the backup quarterback job behind Austin Allen, and Bret Bielema discussed the position Saturday.
"I think the No. 2 quarterback has been a lot of fun to watch," Bielema said. "Both Ty and Cole do some really good things and then they'll have one of their moments and have got to grow from it.
"I thought Ty today was very, very efficient. He made a nice ball down the field. I like where he's going. But it's going to be fun to watch that two quarterback battle."
In the tool box
Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said this week that there was a huge growth spurt for his unit between the initial scrimmage on April 8 and the second the week after.
"You need a toolbox and you need enough tools in that box to be successful," Rhoads said. "And where we were in the first scrimmage, we couldn't have played a game. In critical areas, from short yardage to long third down to red zone, so on and so forth, we wouldn't have been equipped.
"In the second scrimmage, I'd argue that we could have played a game with what we had. And if we did the things I said initially -- played fast, tackled great and didn't make mental mistakes -- we could have played successful football with all facets of the game being considered. So we're getting to a point where the volume of the playbook again is enough to allow our kids to go out there and have success."
Ramirez returns
Offensive lineman Paul Ramirez returned to practice this week after an excused absence following his grandmother's death.
Ramirez, a junior college transfer who redshirted last season, worked at first-team right tackle Saturday with Brian Wallace out with a bruised arm.
"Paul Ramirez has taken a big step even after coming back from the funeral of his grandmother, who he was real close to," Bret Bielema said.
True freshman Dalton Wagner worked at second-team right tackle Saturday.
Wagner is one of three freshmen offensive linemen who enrolled early, along with Kirby Adcock and Shane Clenin.
"Dalton Wagner of the three guys that came in probably showed the most possibility of playing next year as a true freshman," Bielema said. "He gets it. He's intelligent. He's tough. He's gifted."
Progress noted
Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, when asked which players have progressed the most in spring, pointed out nose guard Bijhon Jackson and linebacker Randy Ramsey.
"To a man, I'd say everybody elevated their game from that first scrimmage, some more than others. Bijhon Jackson would be one from the first week through the last two weeks, the last two scrimmages, his game has really improved. Randy Ramsey is a guy who I think has really improved his game. Those are two guys without a ton of snaps that I think have really shown up in the last two weeks.
Show time
Arkansas' spring game at noon Saturday will be televised on the SEC Network.
"It's exposure," Bret Bielema said. "We try to do something every year to kind of spice it up a little bit.
"I know it's not quite the same for the fans as far as a regular game day atmosphere, but if you're a fan and you love it and you're a parent and you don't get to see your kid play all that much out there, it's a big deal."
Ball security
Bret Bielema said the players went through a ball security drill at the end of Saturday's practice so they'd be tired.
Ball security work during the week also included players working with coaches on the opposite side of the ball.
"The offensive coaches taught our defensive guys how to secure the ball after a catch, and the tip ball drill," Bielema said. "The defensive coaches taught the offensive players two tackle circuits and a ball recovery drill where the ball is on he ground, how to properly recover it. So it was kind of a fun week for us there."
Sports on 04/23/2017