TEXAS-EL PASO AT ARKANSAS 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Reynolds Razorback Stadium, ESPNU

Blocking out doubts

Razorbacks receivers tired of catching flak

Arkansas tight end AJ Derby (11) celebrates with wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) after Hatcher's first quarter touchdown in an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Sarah Bentham)

FAYETTEVILLE -- The longest gain for an Arkansas wide receiver last season came on a running play.

Seriously. You can't make this stuff up.

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Arkansas’ wide receivers had six catches that went for more than 30 yards last season:

WR;GAIN;OPPONENT

Keon Hatcher;50;Nicholls State

Keon Hatcher;44;Northern Illinois

Drew Morgan;44;Ala.-Birmingham

Jared Cornelius;38;Nicholls State

Demetrius Wilson;36;Texas

Keon Hatcher;33;Ole Miss

Keon Hatcher rushed 82 yards for a touchdown against Nicholls State after taking a pitch from quarterback Brandon Allen on the Razorbacks' first offensive snap.

Wide receivers had only six catches of more than 30 yards for the season, and two of those were against 0-12 Nicholls State, including Hatcher's 50-yarder.

The only catch by an Arkansas wide receiver in an SEC game that gained more than 30 yards was Hatcher's 33-yarder against Ole Miss.

Given the lack of big plays, it may be a surprise that Lindy's ranked Arkansas' receivers as high as 11th in the SEC going into this season.

Athlon ranked Arkansas' receivers 10th in the SEC but that included tight ends, where the Razorbacks feature Hunter Henry, who has made preseason All-America teams.

Hatcher, a senior who led the Razorbacks with 43 catches for 558 yards and 6 touchdowns, said the receivers are aware of their lack of respect around the conference.

"We see what people write about us," Hatcher said. "I just tell the group, 'Don't worry about what they're talking about. Just keep grinding and use that as motivation. Each and every day when you go out on the field, just think about what they're saying about us and go get better that day.' "

Receivers coach Michael Smith said the criticism is unfair.

"I don't think it's deserved, but I'm biased," Smith said. "I know we've got a lot of room to improve, and everybody wants to see the ball thrown all around the yard, but that's not what we've done here the last two years."

Arkansas' offense is built around a physical running game.

"Where I think these guys get the short end of the stick, they contribute in so many other ways that's not glorified," Smith said. "The offensive line gets glorified for blocking, and we don't, because we're called receivers.

"But in the scheme we're in, we blocked, and I thought our guys did a great job doing that -- and those guys made plays last year when they were called on.

"I wouldn't trade any of my guys for anybody in the country, and I'll stand behind them. We're going to do what we need to win."

Smith said blocking will continue to be key for Arkansas' receivers -- "They know if they don't block, they don't get on the field," he said -- but added that he expects them to make more big plays in the passing game.

Smith's belief is based on a combination of things:

• Dan Enos, a former Michigan State quarterback who was Central Michigan's coach the previous five seasons, is the new offensive coordinator and play-caller;

• Most of the top receivers from last season return;

• The addition of some talented newcomers led by junior college transfer Dominque Reed and redshirt freshman Jojo Robinson;

• Allen continues to mature as a passer going into his third season as a starter.

"Coach Enos has brought something that's been huge for our receivers," Henry said. "They're going to make plays for us, there's no doubt about it.

"I know a lot people are doubting them and talking bad about them, saying they're the worst thing on our team, but I think they've used that as motivation and really gotten a ton better."

Returnees in addition to Hatcher include sophomore Jared Cornelius (18 catches for 212 yards last season) and juniors Cody Hollister (13 for 137) and Drew Morgan (10 for 181). Sophomore Damon "Duwop" Mitchell, a former quarterback, is working with the top receivers rotation and is expected to contribute.

"Keon is doing a great job of leading us," Cornelius said. "The whole wide receiver group kind of flows off of him. I feel like we've all been more consistent this year."

Reed, who caught 61 passes for 1,157 yards and 18 touchdowns last season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, is expected to give the Razorbacks a speedy deep threat they have been lacking. In two scrimmages this fall, he had five catches for 111 yards, including a 50-yard gain where he got behind the first-team secondary.

"Dominique's a guy that really can take the top off a defense," Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said.

Allen said he's excited to see teams try to cover Reed one-on-one.

"He's got the speed to pretty much outrun anyone, so that's a big thing," Allen said. "He's 6-3 to go with it, so he's just a big, fast target for us."

Smith said Reed has worked hard to learn the offense.

"The guy's a football junkie," Smith said. "He likes the game. He's eager to learn. He's put himself in a position where he's going to have the opportunity to play a lot football for us."

Robinson will miss the first half of Saturday's opener against Texas-El Paso for disciplinary reasons going back to last summer, but should make his Arkansas debut in the second half. He had a 38-yard touchdown catch in the first fall scrimmage.

"Jojo's taking care of business," Smith said. "He's doing what we wanted him to do when he first got here, but that goes back to a guy that's just matured. He's learning how to be a man."

Senior safety Rohan Gaines said the Razorbacks have a nice mix of receivers.

"We have guys that can do everything," Gaines said. "We have guys who can stretch the field. We have guys that can catch the ball great. We have more than what the world thinks we have."

Allen said he's confident in all the receivers.

"They've come a long way," Allen said. "I think those guys are ready for the game. I think they're ready for the whole season.

"I think they're ready to prove a lot of people wrong in what they've been saying about them."

Sports on 09/03/2015