|
SPONSORS ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
UA passing game doesn’t do much Published: Sunday, September 02, 2007 PRINT E-MAIL FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas debuted a revamped passing attack that looked a lot like its predecessor. Little changed in terms of production despite new offensive coordinator David Lee’s off-season attempts to inject life into the passing game. Arkansas finished Saturday’s 46-26 victory against Troy with 157 yards passing, a slight improvement from the numbers the Razorbacks put up in ranking 108 th out of 119 Division I-A programs the past two seasons. Arkansas won 10 games last season while producing 149. 5 passing yards per game, but a lack of production became an issue for the Razorbacks during a three-game losing streak that closed the season. Lee was brought in to change that, installing new pass protections for the offensive line and giving quarterback Casey Dick more freedom to audible. Those adjustments were lost in the overall lack of passing success against the Trojans.
“We’ve got to get some things corrected,” said Dick, who completed 11 of 20 passes for 108 yards. No wide receiver caught a pass in the first half, and fullback Peyton Hillis was the Razorbacks’ top pass-catching option with six receptions for 39 yards. Running back Darren McFadden completed Arkansas’ only touchdown pass of the day, a 42-yard strike to freshman receiver Crosby Tuck with 5: 32 remaining in the fourth quarter. Downfield passing — with the exception of McFadden’s touchdown throw — was an afterthought much of the night. On the rare occasions Dick looked downfield, receivers had drops or Trojans defensive backs just missed interceptions. “I’m not going to say anything negative about our passing game with the exception [Dick ] had a rocky first half,” Lee said. “He just had nerves. He was a little nervous early, but I thought he was much calmer, more relaxed and more confident in the second half.” Arkansas was playing without All-SEC receiver Marcus Monk, who underwent two knee surgeries in August. Monk was injured during Arkansas’ first day in pads Aug. 9, then had his first knee surgery on Aug. 13. The Razorbacks have an unproven group of receivers without Monk in the lineup, and no reliable options emerged Saturday night. Until they do, Arkansas seems content to rely on its running game for the bulk of its yards. Running back is the deepest position on the team, something McFadden, Felix Jones and Michael Smith proved Saturday as they combined for 339 yards on 44 rushes. Flanker Reggie Fish said he understood the lack of involvement among the receivers. Fish had one reception for 9 yards and was the first wide receiver to catch a pass, hauling it in at the 7: 30 mark of the third quarter. “We didn’t put it in the air a lot, but we didn’t need to,” Fish said. “ The way Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were running today, that pretty much took over the passing game. We were controlling the clock and moving the sticks on the ground. More Stories From: CHRIS BAHN Yesterday's Most Popular 1. HOG FUTURES JERRY MITCHELL : Hurricane brings Mitchell to Hogs 2. THE RECRUITING GUY : Purifoy's size fits into UA's plans 3. Iowa prep standout Kelly joins UA track 4. Former Diamond Hog Richards inks contract with Marlins Today's Most E-mailed |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||





