FAYETTEVILLE -- Senior Keon Hatcher, Arkansas' most experienced wide receiver, taught some lessons to freshman cornerback Ryan Pulley in Saturday's scrimmage.
Hatcher, who missed last week's scrimmage because of a shoulder injury, caught six passes for 111 yards while going against Pulley much of the time.
"Keon's a very good player, and to put a true freshman up against him you would hope Keon would win those battles," Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. "I can't say enough good things about Keon. I think he has truly had a great camp. I know he was dinged up for three or four days, but I'm really excited where he's at."
Bielema said Pulley may have been distracted because of a family situation.
"Bless his heart, he's going through a little bit of stuff at home," Bielema said. "His grandfather is in a pretty bad situation, so our prayers are with him."
Pulley has had a good camp overall to earn a spot on the second-team defense. He had an interception in last week's scrimmage.
Get the Led out
Defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter showed good hands and speed when he intercepted a screen pass thrown by Brandon Allen -- after the ball bounced off offensive tackle Dan Skipper's back -- and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
"He's a very gifted football player," Coach Bret Bielema said. "He can do a standing back flip and is very athletic. Every day in practice you see him do something."
Kicker competition
Cole Hedlund is leading the place-kicking competition and Toby Baker is the lead punter, Bret Bielema said.
Hedlund made field goals of 33 and 32 yards during the scrimmage while Lane Saling made a 33-yarder and Adam McFain made a 29-yarder.
McFain was the kicker the second half of last season but has been slowed in camp by a hamstring injury.
Baker had a 57-yard punt in the scrimmage, while Blake Johnson had punts of 48 and 42 yards.
Morgan shines
Drew Morgan has combined for 10 receptions for 135 yards in two scrimmages.
The junior had six catches for 89 yards Saturday after having four for 56 yards the previous week.
"I'm excited about Drew," Bret Bielema said. "We kind of had a moment the second or third practice where he put a ball on the ground and I thought he was being a little bit lazy with the ball.
"We had a conversation, a very spirited conversation, and ever since then he's been pretty good.
"Drew is a competitive guy, and I think he needed to leave his ego at the door. He's competing, and I couldn't be more impressed."
Forceful line
Arkansas' defensive linemen have been given T-shirts with the message "Front 4force" on them.
The shirts are black and have four red helmets, Bret Bielema said. The T-shirts were the idea of defensive line coach Rory Segrest and were approved by Bielema.
"They kind of bought into it a little bit," Bielema said. "I'm kind of excited to see that room continue to grow."
Bielema said Segrest talked to him about the T-shirts prior to fall camp and that the defensive linemen have performed well enough to earn them.
"I would say our D-line probably has been the best surprise of fall camp, without a doubt," Bielema said. "The way they've built themselves up and just the depth that we have."
Trey Flowers and Darius Philon, who anchored the line last season, are now in the NFL.
"Last year we were kind of a good D-line because of two good players that played well," Bielema said. "This year we are a good D-line because we've got eight players that play very, very well. Maybe nine."
Personnel update
Tyler Colquitt, a redshirt freshman who has been moved from fullback to tailback, sustained an injury to his left leg during the scrimmage.
"That one did look a little bit serious," Bret Bielema said. "The doctor doesn't think there's anything broken, but it could be a high ankle sprain."
Colquitt rushed six times for 26 yards.
"He did some pretty good things at the tailback position," Bielema said.
Coaches also have considered moving Colquitt to linebacker, Bielema said.
Center Mitch Smothers, running back Kody Walker and safety Rohan Gaines returned to the field after being shaken up.
Bielema said cornerback Jared Cornelius sustained a minor ankle injury and that defensive end Tevin Beanum "tweaked" an ankle injury that isn't serious.
Defensive ends Deatrich Wise and Brandon Lewis sat out the scrimmage. Wise sustained a shoulder injury Tuesday, Bielema said, but should return to practice this week. Lewis has been slowed by a knee injury.
Getting situated
Bret Bielema said the coaching staff worked the scrimmage from what would be their game day locations on the field and in the press box to aid in headphone communications.
The Razorbacks will conduct their mock game Friday afternoon, prior to the team's kickoff dinner at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center at the Holiday Inn in Springdale, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
"Next Saturday we're probably going to be sitting on the couch, hopefully," Bielema said. "That last Saturday I always give my coaches and players.
"I probably shouldn't tell them that because they'll make some plans."
UTEP ahead
Bret Bielema said some of Arkansas' work in camp has been directed toward a variety of SEC opponents, but now the focus will switch over entirely to the season opener against Texas El-Paso on Sept. 5.
Center plan
When starting center Mitch Smothers had to leave the scrimmage for a few plays, right guard Frank Ragnow moved to center and Josh Allen came in to play guard.
Zach Rogers has been working at second-team center since spring practice and has drawn praise from his coaches and teammates, but the coaches hope to redshirt the true freshman.
Ragnow, Smothers' backup last season, figures to be the second center for games. Left guard Sebastian Tretola also has snapped in practice.
Bret Bielema said the plan is to have Rogers continue to practice with the second team and dress out for games but only play in an emergency situation.
Double duty
Defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen got a few snaps on offense as an extra tight end in goal-line work. He played tight end before moving to defense.
Sports on 08/23/2015