FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino would like to have seen a first half of the season with a much lower turnover count and stronger red zone execution.
The difference can be found on the wonloss ledger for the 3-4 Razorbacks.
“I just got done telling the offense that the only thing that was really different between Rutgers and [Texas] A&M and the last two weeks is we didn’t hurt ourselves,” Petrino said.
Arkansas took consecutive victories over Kentucky (49-7) and Auburn (24-7) the past two weeks after suffering losses to A&M (58-10) and Rutgers (35-26) the previous two weeks.
“We went down the field and had more yards in some of them, but we didn’t turn the ball over,” Petrino said.
“We didn’t have mental errors at the end of those long drives in the critical zone. That’s what was great to see. We executed the way you should, had no turnovers the other night, didn’t have missed assignments. Everyone did what they’re supposed to do. When you do that, you score a lot of points.”
The Arkansas players obviously listened to Petrino’s post-practice chat.
“That’s just the biggest thing, is turning the ball over,” receiver Cobi Hamilton said. “We know we’re going to put numbers up as far as passing and total offense. But just taking care of the ball, I think that’s the biggest thing between us winning and losing is taking care of the ball and just executing in the critical zone.”
Arkansas had no turnovers against Kentucky and lost two fumbles against Auburn. The Razorbacks lost a fumble and an interception against A&M, and had two interceptions against Rutgers.
Injury update
Tight end Chris Gragg, who has missed the past three games with a deep bone bruise in his leg, practiced Tuesday and did some team drills .
“He moved around pretty good,” offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “It looked like he was moving better than he has been.
“It’s still day-to-day, but he definitely looked better than he has.”
“He was running his routes crisp,” Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson said. “He was old Chris again. We can run some plays that we have kind of neglected a little bit since he’s been out. He looked good. Glad to have him back out there.”
Tailback Ronnie Wingo, who missed the Kentucky game, also practiced Tuesday.
“He was all right,” Petrino said. “He still looked a little day-to-day to be honest with you.”Crash course
Quarterback Tyler Wilson completed 23 of 31 passes for 372 yards, with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions against Kentucky just four days after his Toyota FJ Cruiser got mashed up in a wreck on Interstate 540.
“Obviously I don’t draw that up to happen right before a game,” Wilson said.
“But that was tough. I’m glad to come out of that safely and not be too banged up.
“The car, on the other hand, was pretty destroyed.
Glad to be healthy.”
Wilson said the vehicle is still being evaluated as to whether it’s repairable or whether it will be deemed totaled.
Limiting sacks
Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson has been sacked just twice in the past three games against Texas A&M, Auburn and Kentucky.
“We’ve done a good job of communication and knowing what blitz is coming,” offensive tackle David Hurd said. “Watching film and knowing what the defensive lineman’s favorite moves are ... just a lot of hard work.”
Wilson said using more play-action passes and max protections also has helped.
“We get outside the pocket a little bit, so that eliminates them being able to pin their ears back and rush the pocket,” he said.
“When we are in the pocket, I’ve had a clean pocket and been able to throw. That helps your efficiency. You look at the efficiency the past few games, it’s been over 75 percent in October.
September, not as good.
There’s a direct result right there.”
Weekend plans
Arkansas’ coaches will hit the road recruiting this week, but they will all be back Saturday to continue preparations for Ole Miss prior to Sunday’s practice.
Does offensive coordinator Paul Petrino plan to watch some games Saturday?
“I don’t know,” he said.
“If I’m done game-planning, I will.”
Quarterback Tyler Wilson’s weekend strategy: “My two big plans: I’m going to finish up the week of practice here and go home and watch the Greenwood-[Fort Smith] Southside game, perhaps. Do that and maybe play a little golf on Sunday.”
Sports, Pages 28 on 10/17/2012