FAYETTEVILLE — Be aware, the FBI is on high alert for today’s Red-White spring football game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Not the federal agency, but Arkansas’ in-house philosophy that stresses the importance of football intelligence.
“Just learning football, you know,” said junior receiver Jarius Wright, explaining where the players’ focus will be during today’s 6 p.m. game. “We call it FBI: Football I.Q. People learning plays like the back of their hand, studying, getting in the playbook.”
Arkansas is trying to build toward a big season in 2010 after finishing 8-5 last year and returning 17 starters,including almost all of its skill-position talent. Part of the preparation for the pressure the Razorbacks will face next fall has been the mind-set this spring.
Instead of loading up one of the squads with all first-teamers or running the first-team offense against the defensive starters, Arkansas’ coaches balanced each of the rosters for the Red-White game.
“Our goal this time around is to make sure our team is competitive enough to go in on the road and win games in the fourth quarter,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “This is just another example of what we’re trying to push for, a more competitive atmosphere.”
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino, who hasn’t spoken with local media since last Friday’s scrimmage, hasn’t discussed his philosophy for the spring game.
The Razorbacks found out about the Red-White split when they entered the locker room Wednesday and found rosters posted and their red or white jersey hanging in their lockers.
“Everybody was getting riled up, but it was all in fun,” said defensive end Damario Ambrose, a member of the Red team.
“I think it’s going to be a very competitive game,” said sophomore cornerback Darius Winston, another member of the Red squad. “There’s some trash-talking going on in the locker room. We’re going to put on a show.”
Coaches made sure to create some spotlight matchups, such as the battlebetween White team defensive end Jake Bequette and Red team tackle DeMarcus Love, two of the Hogs’ best linemen.
The skill position talent has been divided equally, as has the talent in the trenches.
“We’ve got two days to prepare and get familiar with each other,” said Red team quarterback Tyler Wilson, who the coaches matched with reserve center Travis Swanson to test Wilson’s reaction. “It’s a little bit different guys than I’ve worked with for the main part of the spring, which is a little bit frustrating. You get used to some guys and you’ve got to switch it a little bit, but I think it will be good for us.
“It’ll be competitive and give us a look into the future.”
The tight end position will be another to watch. With Ben Cleveland (appendectomy) questionable and Jim Youngblood and Van Stumon not participating while recovering from shoulder surgery, redshirt freshman Austin Tate is projected to rotate between the teams, helping out Red team senior D.J. Williams and White team sophomore Chris Gragg.
Coaches also will be split up, though there has been no word on where Petrino will be positioned during the game.
Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the aim for his unit would be to “make sure we execute well and run to the football,” and “you’d love to have people make plays.”
McGee said execution and making improvement are the keys.
“We’re going to try to make it like a game, youknow, get after it,” McGee said. “Three and outs. The chains will be out there. The clock will be running. Each team is split in half.”
Another interesting question: Where will injured quarterback Ryan Mallett situate himself for the game?
“He’ll be back and forth, knowing Ryan,” Wilson said. “He likes to be in the middle of everything, so he’ll be everywhere.”Red-White glance WHEN 6 p.m. today (Gates open 4:30 p.m.) WHERE Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville ADMISSION Free TV Cox Sports Television RADIO Razorback Sports Network, which includes KABZ-FM, 103.7, in Little Rock; KQSM-FM, 92.1, and KEZAFM, 107.9, in Fayetteville; KHGG-FM, 103.1, and KTTG-FM, 96.3, in Fort Smith; KCJC-FM, 102.3, in Russellville; KSMD-FM, 99.1, in Searcy; KMRX-FM, 96.1, El Dorado, and KNEA-AM, 970, in Jonesboro ON WEB www.arkansasrazorbacks.com PARKING Public parking available in Lots 46, 56, 56B, 56D, 67, 72, 73, 73A, Stadium Drive, Stadium Drive parking garage, Harmon Avenue parking garage and Baum Stadium.
SHUTTLE SERVICE Shuttles will run from Baum Stadium and Road Hog Park to stadium gates 1 and 8. Shuttles also will run from Lot 56 to gates 1, 8, 13 and 16, with priority given to the disabled and the elderly.
RAZORFEST A full day of family activities, including autograph sessions, begins at noon at the stadium.
AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS 12:30 P.M.-2 P.M. Ken Hatfield, Brison Manor, Ron Calcagni, Robert Farrell, Tony Cherico 2 P.M.-3 P.M. Jeff Long, Chuck Barrett, Quinn Grovey, Mike Nail, Keith Jackson 3 P.M.-4:15 P.M. Clint Stoerner, Joe Dean Davenport, Gerald Skinner, Richard Brothers, Steve Conley 4:15 P.M.-5:30 P.M. James Johnson, Spencer Brown, Fred Talley, Lerinezo Robinson, Brandon Kennedy, Marcus Whitmore
Sports, Pages 21 on 04/24/2010