FAYETTEVILLE - Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, asked how Arkansas’ offensive line has responded to last week’s struggles in a 28-24 loss at Rutgers, took the moment to pan the offensive unit’s approach to the game.
“I wouldn’t single out any group at all,” he said.
“I just don’t think anybody played to the level we wanted to play at. I don’t think anybody was happy with how we performed, not necessarily the [missed assignments] and the mistakes that we made, [but] the way we competed.
“We’re better than that.
We can play harder than that. We can play with more discipline than that. I think that our kids witnessed that on video, and they showed today that they understood that and they went out and practiced a lot harder.”
Center Travis Swanson, an offensive captain, said Saturday’s performance “obviously wasn’t up to par.”
“The thing I took away from it, there’s such easy things to fix that it’s not real catastrophic things that’s going to make everything fall apart,” Swanson said. “At the time it was frustrating, obviously. Looking back at film, it was good to see that, OK, we can take it into this week and fix them.”
Guard Brey Cook said the linemen learned a lot Saturday.
“Now we know how to lose,” he said. “We know how to come back from it.
We’re excited to come out and play Saturday.”
Chaney said he left the practice field with a big grin after one of the team’s best practices.
“It was enthusiastic,” Chaney said. “The kids had good energy. The weather was absolutely gorgeous to practice football, and it was good.
“The first day is installation on Tuesday …and we had a lot of new stuff, but they handled it well. They learned from the meetings and went on the field and did a nice job. I’m really pleased.”Injury update
Quarterback Brandon Allen took a limited amount of snaps in Tuesday’s practice, but literally taking the snap is all he did as the sophomore continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.
Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said Allen has not been released to start throwing footballs and that head trainer Matt Summer will be the one to decide when Allen can do that.
Junior AJ Derby opened a second consecutive week of practice in the starter’s role.
Cowan comeback
Receiver D’Arthur Cowan is on the brink of making his season debut after breaking a bone in his foot during camp.
“It’s a minor setback to a major comeback,” Cowan said.
“He’s been up to my office just itching to get back,” receivers coach Michael Smith said. “He went through practice today and did some good things.
It was good to see him out there in his pads. If he comes back to full strength, he’s definitely going to be a help to this football team.”
Cowan said an X-ray Monday gave him full clearance.
“I’ve been praying for this moment to come back,” Cowan said. “I’ve just been training hard, going through treatments with Matt Summers. He said he was going to get me right and get me ready for this comeback.”
First score
Tight end Hunter Henry scored his first college touchdown on Saturday in an unusual way, catching a halfback pass from Jonathan Williams for a 21-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“It was pretty special to get my first one,” Henry said. “Jonathan made a great pass and the whole play was kind of great execution. It was a pretty cool feeling.”
Henry said the offense had been working on the halfback pass for a while and they weren’t certain it would be unveiled Saturday.
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney went with the call immediately after the offense took possession at the Rutgers 21 after Chris Smith recovered a fumble by Gary Nova that was forced by Trey Flowers.
“When we went out there we knew we were about to run it in the huddle, so we were excited,” Henry said.
Relax, don’t do it
Arkansas tailback Alex Collins said the Razorbacks’ foot came off the gas as Rutgers rallied from a 24-7 deficit to defeat the Razorbacks last Saturday.
“We had a big lead, and then I guess everybody just relaxed a little bit,” Collins said. “It hurt us in the end.
Just finishing strong and putting the game away is something we just have to work on.”
Boiler days
Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was in the same position at Purdue (1997-2005) during Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin’s stint with the Boilermakers as receivers coach from 1998-2000.
“I think Kevin Sumlin’s one of the best gentlemen in the world,” Chaney said.
“He’s got a wonderful wife, a gorgeous family, [he’s] a good human being, a good friend, very bright. Well deserved all the success and good things that come his way. I think the world of him.”
Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas was a graduate assistant at Purdue, working with tight ends in 2000-2001.
“I know Kevin very well,” Thomas said. “I respect what he’s done at Texas A&M, and I’m excited for this opportunity for this first time to coach against him.”
20 or more
Texas A&M has 31 offensive plays of 20 yards or longer, including eight against Alabama.
Aggies receiver Mike Evans has nine receptions of 30 yards or longer, which is the highest number in the nation.
Sellout
Arkansas has announced Saturday’s SEC opener against Texas A&M as a sellout, making Coach Bret Bielema happy.
“I’ve never seen Don Reynolds completely packed,” Bielema said Monday. “So it’s going to be exciting, and hopefully a very, very loud atmosphere.
Something that our kids are very excited about and have been talking about for a long time.”
Polo tribute
Texas A&M is paying tribute to Polo Manukainiu, an Aggie who died in a car wreck July 29, with a helmet decal featuring his No. 90 with art reflecting his Tongan heritage. A different Aggie will don his No. 90 jersey each game during the year.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Vanderbilt 24, Massachusetts 7 Georgia 45, North Texas 21 Rutgers 28, Arkansas 24 Florida 31, Tennessee 17 Texas A&M 42, SMU 13 Alabama 31, Colorado State 6 Misssissippi State 62, Troy 7 LSU 35, Auburn 21 Missouri 45, Indiana 28
SATURDAY’S GAMES All times Central
South Carolina at UCF, 11 a.m.
South Alabama at Tennessee 11:21 a.m.
LSU at Georgia, 2:30 p.m.
Ole Miss at Alabama, 5:30 p.m.
Texas A&M at Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Florida at Kentucky, 6 p.m.
UAB at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m.
Sports, Pages 21 on 09/25/2013