Razorbacks report

— Arkansas better on 3rd down

For the first time all season, Arkansas converted more than half of its third-down attempts in Saturday’s 33-16 victory over South Carolina.

The Razorbacks turned 10 of their 16 third-down plays into first downs, missing on only one in the second half when Arkansas went on a 23-0 gameclinching run.

“It was great, and it contributed to doing better on first and second down, some of it,” Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said.

A 39-yard swing pass to Broderick Green converted a third-and-7 on Arkansas’ second possession and triggered a big day on third downs.

“I thought our protection was very good when we had to throw the ball down the field,” Petrino said. “The routes were very precise with the timing of the quarterback.

Quarterback Ryan Mallett spread around the thirddown conversion passes, hitting Green, D.J. Williams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs.

The Razorbacks were 8 for 9 on third-down conversions in the second half.

“All week long in practice we emphasized third-down conversions,” said Childs, who had a 13-yard catch on a third-and-9 during Arkansas’ final touchdown drive.

“That’s the biggest down of the game.” Defensive update

Middle linebacker Wendel Davis wore a yellow no-contact jersey during Tuesday’s practice for an undisclosed injury and his status for the Troy game isn’t known.

With the Razorbacks likely to employ five or more defensive backs much of the game against Troy’s Spread attack, the play oftheir dinged-up cornerbacks will be critical.

Junior Ramon Broadway worked with the starting unit for part of Tuesday’s practice and showed no ill effects from the hamstring injury that kept him out last week. Freshman David Gordon (thigh contusion) also worked with the starters, while Jerell Norton, Rudell Crim and Matt Harris filled out the secondary with Elton Ford rotating in at strong safety.

Andru Stewart and Greg Gatson worked at secondteam cornerback, with safeties Anthony Leon, Tramain Thomas and Ford.

Milestone watch

Kickoff return man Dennis Johnson needs 4 return yards to eclipse the school record of 1,749 yards held by Felix Jones (2005-2007). Johnson has 1,746 yards on 69 returns, andJones posted his record on 62 returns. Johnson had a school-record 905 yards on 41 returns in 2008, and he’s 64 yards shy of that mark this season.

A solid effort

Arkansas tackle Ray Dominguez was matched up against South Carolina All-American Eric Norwood last Saturday, and his pass protection against the star pass rusher helped Arkansas rack up 329 passing yards.

Norwood, the SEC sack leader, managed one sack on the day on a line stunt.

“I did pretty good against him,” said Dominguez, who credited offensive line coach Mike Summers with passing along specific tips to use against Norwood. “He got me pretty good that one time, but that was a line game.

“One-on-one, I felt like I did pretty good against him.

He’s one of the best in the league.”Money zone?

Arkansas tailback Broderick Green has put his name - literally - on the red zone, the area inside an opponent’s 20-yard line.

“It’s pretty much every time you get down to the red zone - he calls it the Green zone now - he’s going to cash in,” tailback Michael Smith said. “We’re proud of him with that. I’m happy for him.”

Green leads the Hogs with eight rushing touchdowns, including two in each of the past two games.

TV talk

Arkansas’ game Saturday against Troy is scheduled to be broadcast on CSS and Cox Sports Television.

The 6:30 p.m. game will be available in Northwest Arkansas on Cox Cable channel 119, and a highdefinition broadcast will be available on channel 2119.

Sports, Pages 26 on 11/11/2009