FAYETTEVILLE - The Arkansas Razorbacks haven’t conducted the marathon scrimmages this spring that they grew accustomed to the past several years, but their practices have been physical anyway with extended periods of inside run that feature “thud” contact and one-on-one periods.
Bielema has referred to “testing their manhood” on several occasions this spring, and Saturday he was asked what exactly he meant by it.
“One time when we really got rolling at the previous place [Wisconsin], there was a point where in the third and fourth quarter there were some teams that would just quit playing the way they started the game,” said Bielema, who coached the Badgers for seven seasons.
“There was a quote from a coach that said they took a little bit of our manhood from us today.
“It just spread like wildfire through our players. When you say something like that, everybody, as a man, you feel you can own up to your manhood and be who you are, what you are, 24-7. If somebody threatens that, you hope it pulls on their courage a little bit.
“So the more we can stress that and emphasize it, the better we are.”
Defensive stats
The defense posted numerous tackles for loss and a few “sacks” in the “thud” periods prior to the actual scrimmage portion of the practice.
Deatrich Wise, Darius Philon, Robert Thomas and Daunte Carr all posted two-hand touch sacks of quarterbacks, while end Trey Flowers had an 8-yard sack of Brandon Allen during red zone scrimmage work at the end of practice.
Flowers, Philon, Carr and Jarrett Lake made contact on plays behind the line of scrimmage in thud periods.
Jared Collins, working with the first unit, had a pass breakup on a short pass for tight end Austin Tate, and Rohan Gaines posted a breakup on an out route.
Big plays
Javontee Herndon posted one of the day’s best plays, and one of its worst.
Herndon shook free past Jared Collins down the left sideline and hauled in a long ball from Brandon Allen that would have gone for a substantial gain or touchdown. Later, Herndon had another deep ball slip out of his hands.
Demetrius Wilson caught a couple of chain-moving passes, including a sharp slant from Allen. Wilson also was called for offensive pass interference on the first red zone series, negating his would-be first-down catch inside the 10.
The lap
A bungled exchange between Brandon Allen and Jonathan Williams led to a forced fumble by Trey Flowers and a recovery by Robert Thomas that had immediate consequences.
Allen and Williams were sent to run a lap, Williams with a ball in tow, completely around the 100-yard playing surface.
Walker cleared
Tailback Kody Walker changed from jersey No. 40 to No. 24 this spring in an attempt, Bret Bielema said, to shake up his “mojo” after experiencing leg injuries the past two seasons.
Walker was medically cleared for full contact Saturday and he asked the coaches to let him be tackled.
“I’m very, very intrigued by what he brings to the table,” Bielema said.
Musical weather
The Razorbacks have had wind, cold, rain and a little sun throughout their first 11 days of spring drills, causing the team to work indoors for many of the days. They got a little of all the above Saturday, though the rain never became heavy enough for a soaking or a quick jaunt to the Walker Pavilion.
Sunny days have been sparse in Northwest Arkansas since Bielema’s arrival last Dec. 4.
“I came here for sunshine and warmth,” said Bielema, who spent the previous nine seasons at Wisconsin and had never worked south of Manhattan, Kan. “It’s been up and down.”
Collins moves up
Redshirt freshman Jared Collins worked at first team corner back in place of sophomore Will Hines, a returning starter.
Bret Bielema said the coaches made the decision to move Collins up for Tuesday’s practice after he played well last Saturday, and because Hines had a sore hip.
Bielema said he likes the corner back rotation with two-year starter Tevin Mitchell, Collins, Hines and Carroll Washington, a junior college transfer.
Hurd out
Offensive tackle David Hurd hasn’t practiced since Tuesday, when he sprained a knee.
Bret Bielema said Hurd then had a “double whammy” Wednesday when he was diagnosed with appendicitis.
“I told him, ‘I’m not shaking your hand the rest of the week. You’re just like a little taboo right now,’” Bielema said. “I don’t know if we’ll get him next week, but nothing significant. He’ll be with us obviously soon thereafter.” Beck in
Sophomore Austin Beck worked at left tackle with the ones in David Hurd’s place.
“The part that he’s probably had to handle the most is just being on an island at that position, being able to understand that you are the blind side,” Coach Bret Bielema said. “To be able to understand that it’s critical for him to have success inside-out.
“He has a tendency to overset, both run and pass, which allows people to come underneath him. It’s been a great attitude for him, but obviously a lot of progress we’ve got to make.”
Fisher at safety
Sophomore Kelvin Fisher has moved from corner back to safety, a route he has traveled before.
“We just thought we wanted to see where he could maybe give us a little bit more,” Bret Bielema said.
The coaches had discussed moving Fisher or red shirt freshman corner back Ray Buchanan to safety and decided Fisher was a better fit.
“He’s a kid that’s very detailed, conscientious,” Bielema said.
Sports, Pages 34 on 04/14/2013