FAYETTEVILLE — When Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was asked about Treylon Burks on Saturday, he found himself saying one word over and over: special.
Burks was just that in the Razorbacks’ season opener against No. 4 Georgia, locking in career highs in catches (7) and receiving yards (102) while tallying his first career touchdown on a 49-yard strike from quarterback Feleipe Franks.
In the loss, Burks became the first Arkansas receiver to total 100-plus receiving yards since Mike Woods against San Jose State last September, and third Warren native to do so against the Bulldogs.
“He’s a really good player,” Pittman said. “We certainly have to continue to try to get the ball to him more. He can win contested catches and he’s a special player, special kid, special person, special player. We have to continue to run him a little bit more and get the ball to him more.
“The touchdown grab he made and scored on was an exceptional play. I think (there will be more) to come, but we’ve got to target him more.”
Burks was able to create enough separation against talented Georgia defensive backs, particularly Richard LeCounte, a preseason All-SEC first team selection who intercepted two passes in Week 1, to be a go-to target for Franks in his debut. LeCounte was responsible for Burks on the Razorbacks’ lone touchdown of the day.
He also sprung free post-catch and picked up valuable yards for a largely stagnant offense. Burks gained double-digit yards after the catch on two of his grabs and five-plus yards on four.
He totaled 23 on his touchdown catch and 17 on his next-to-last reception, which went for 27 yards.
“It really comes from the team, the scout team and just in practice,” Burks said Tuesday when asked about his YAC ability. “Having those people push me every day (helps), and I just feel like when I catch the ball, (I want to) get the offense a spark and get the team as far as I can at the best of my ability.
“I just work hard at it every day in practice.”
Burks, who last season finished with 111 yards after catch (79 in SEC play, 32 in nonconference) in 11 games, totaled 56 on Saturday. His previous single-game high was 25 against Colorado State in Week 3 last season, and his SEC high was 14 at Alabama.
He was able to move the chains twice post-catch against the Bulldogs. Burks’ nine such catches in his freshman season were a team high, according to SECStatCat, a website dedicated to SEC football analytics, and as many as Alabama receivers Devonta Smith and Henry Ruggs.
Asked how a receiver goes about improving his play after the catch, Burks mentioned putting in work outside of team activities, being physical and getting vertical rather than working sideline to sideline.
“Treylon is a great player,” Franks said Saturday. “He did a great job getting open and it shows with his stats. That's all the receivers. They all played good, caught the ball well. Offensively, there's just little things here and there that we can correct.
“But at the same time, Treylon's a great player and he had a good game. He works his tail off.”