FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said he hasn’t been surprised the Razorbacks have remained focused in practice despite the firing of his brother, Bobby Petrino, as head coach April 10.
“I think sometimes when you have different things going on in your life and you’re an athlete or a coach, the nicest thing is to go out on that practice field,” Petrino said after Tuesday’s practice. “To be honest with you, sometimes the days you don’t practice are harder than the days you practice, when you have to sit around and think about it
“But when you actually get out on the grass and get to run around and play ... really that’s the best part of everything right now.”
Petrino said the practice field has been a sanctuary for the team.
“You go out there and really worry about nothing but what my job is on this play, what my technique is on this play and how I’m going to get better on this play and not worry about everything else,” he said.
Razorbacks offensive line coach Chris Klenakis said “there’s no question” being on the practice field has been the best part of work the past week.
“There’s nothing in the world that you’re thinking about other than what you’re doing with your players, getting them better and you’re going play by play,” Klenakis said. “Each play’s a new focus. Each drill’s a new focus. You’re just in your own world.
“It’s neat. I love it.”
Arkansas tight end Chris Gragg said the players have been impressed by the coaching staff.
“The coaches have handled it well,” Gragg said. “They’ve kept everything running as smoothly as it was before. Every schedule has been the same. We go to our meetings and go out and try to practice hard every day.”
Red-White format
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said the coaches are “leaning” toward having the first-teamers take on the second-teamers in Saturday’s Red-White game.
“We can keep everything consistent and easy, so guys can play with the guys they’ve been playing [with] all spring,” Petrino said.
Brandon Mitchell and Brandon Allen, who are competing for the backup quarterback spot behind Tyler Wilson, likely will play with the starters and secondteamers, Petrino said.
“I think in the second half it’d be good to get both of them a series with the [first team],” he said. “At least one series, if not more.”
Thomas terrific
Defensive tackle Robert Thomas had four sacks in Friday’s scrimmage going against the first-team offense.
Was Thomas that good? Or was it a case of the offensive line blowing assignments?
“It was a combination of both,” offensive line coach Chris Klenakis said. “Robert Thomas is a good football player and did a good job. That’s what you need. ... Not only do you have competition within your position, but you’ve got competition on the other side of the ball.
“That makes you better on both ends. You’ve got somebody trying to push you, and you’ve got somebody trying to beat you.”
QBs improving
Junior Brandon Mitchell and redshirt freshman Brandon Allen, who are competing for the No. 2 quarterback job, have improved in recent practices, offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said.
Mitchell completed 8 of 15 passes for 120 yards and 1 touchdown without an interception in Friday’s scrimmage. Allen completed 10 of 22 passes for 103 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 interception.
“They didn’t have all the production that they maybe should have, but some of that was a couple dropped balls or guys missing their [passes],” Petrino said. “I think they both really came along.
“They understand the offense a lot better. Brandon Mitchell made a couple plays where he stepped up in the pocket, moved, did things he does athletically.
“Brandon Allen can just flat throw the ball. He can stand in there and has a quick release and can put it right on the money.”
Petrino said Arkansas is fortunate to have three quarterbacks like senior starter Tyler Wilson, Mitchell and Allen.
“There’s a lot of programs out there that wish they had any one of the three of them,” Petrino said. “I know that for a fact.
Peacock working
Senior offensive tackle Jason Peacock, who missed three practices earlier this spring while on suspension after being arrested and charged with theft of property, continues to work on the second team. He started the final nine games last season.
“He’s working hard to get back to where he needs to be,” offensive line coach Chris Klenakis said. “This is spring football, and this is competition.
“I’m a big believer in competition. I do not go into spring ball saying this guy is my starter. I’m going to try a lot of combinations and get things ready for the future.”
Injury update
Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, who left Friday’s scrimmage early, said he “banged my head a couple times” but feels fine now. He practiced Tuesday.
“I kind of got a little dizzy, but I was straight,” Hamilton said. “It was a precaution really. Nothing serious.”
Tight end Austin Tate left the scrimmage on a cart with an undisclosed injury. Tate watched Tuesday’s practice, offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said, but didn’t dress out.
Petrino, who declined to be specific about Tate’s injury, said it appears he’ll miss Saturday’s Red-White game.
Swanson leading
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said he’s been impressed by center Travis Swanson, a junior who has started the previous two seasons.
“Swanson’s a guy that controls everything up front,” Petrino said. “He does a lot of the calls for us. He comes and works hard every day and gets those guys ready to practice.”
Sports, Pages 22 on 04/18/2012