The Razorbacks not only practiced in slightly less heat Tuesday than Monday’s sizzling debut to the preseason but took a lot less heat from head coach Bobby Petrino and his staff.

“ I think we fought hard today and worked hard and handled the heat a lot better than yesterday, ” Arkansas offensive coordinator / receivers coach Paul Petrino said. “ That’s how we should look every day. We still have got a long way to go but we are getting there. ”

Among those offensively getting there at various times Tuesday was true freshman receiver Jarius Wright of Warren.

“ Jarius Wright made a bunch of big plays and stood out pretty good, ” Paul Petrino said. “[Senior running back ] Michael Smith made some nice runs and De’Anthony Curtis [the true freshman from Camden ] made some nice plays. ”

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At middle linebacker, defensive coordinator Willy Robinson implies redshirt freshman Jerry Franklin of Marion, No. 1 after spring ball, and true freshman Tenarius Wright of Memphis appear to have the tools of the trade. Both are a wellbuilt 6-2, 230.

“ You’ve got two guys who are bookend-type players, ” Robinson said. “ But who is the most physical guy ? Who is going to be the hammer and not the nail ?”

New Marshall in town

Junior wide receiver Rod Coleman of Camden caught a long pass from backup redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Dick, and true freshman outside linebacker Matt Marshall of Camden (not Arkansas, but the New Jersey Camden ) picked off two passes.

Marshall was a wide receiver in New Jersey but Bobby Petrino and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson have him on defense both because linebacker is thin and Marshall is really fast.

“ He’s going to end up being one of the fastest guys on the team for us, ” Bobby Petrino said. “ Certainly very flexible. ”

That attribute fits into the new “ Jack” outside linebacker description of a hybrid outside linebacker-strong safety that the Hogs will employ in certain defenses, Bobby Petrino said.

Much has been said of the four new true freshman receivers but Crosby Tuck — a hardshipped freshman from Shiloh Christian who broke his arm last year after catching two touchdown passes in the first three games — made his presence felt in Monday’s debut practice, Paul Petrino said.

It was particularly welcome to the new staff as Tuck struggled some with injuries last spring.

“ He had a better day yesterday, ” Paul Petrino said Tuesday, “ than he did all spring. I was happy with him yesterday. ”

Senior fullback / tight end Lance Thompson of Searcy injured a groin muscle during Tuesday’s workout and joined a crew sidelined by injuries including running back Brandon Barnett of Texarkana and linebacker Wendel Davis (both rehabbing from offseason knee surgeries ) and offensive lineman Kareem Crowell.

Senior defensive tackle Marcus Shavers and offensive lineman Jim Hart, both out all last spring rehabbing from surgeries, are not healthy enough to be included in the 105 maximum before the roster expands when University of Arkansas classes begin Aug. 18. True freshman quarterback Jim Youngblood of Camden, struggling in Monday’s first day as Bobby Petrino anticipated he and fellow true freshman Tyler Wilson of Greenwood would on opening day, threw a TD pass Tuesday. Nathan Dick, the redshirt freshman backup to his brother, senior starting quarterback Casey Dick, has made major strides over the summer, Bobby Petrino said. “ Nathan has really improved since we started spring last year, there’s no question about that, ” Petrino said. “ He knows the offense better. He has a real good sense of where the pass rush is coming and how to move. I think he’s throwing the ball a lot better. ”

Uniform sense Nathan Dick earns high marks for common sense replying to a question about the pro and con buzz about the Razorbacks’ new uniforms and if they help recruiting. “ I guess it could help us because the first thing you see when you turn on the TV are the uniforms, ” Nathan Dick said. “ But if you’re going somewhere for the uniforms, there’s something wrong. You’ve got to go for the football. ”

No-pads wrap Tuesday concluded the NCAA-mandated two noncontact days in helmets and shorts. The Hogs add shoulder pads to their practice wardrobe in 3 p. m. practices today and Thursday, don full pads Friday and have their first two-a-day workouts Saturday at 9 a. m. and 4 p. m. and first full-scale preseason scrimmage at 9 a. m. Sunday. All of this week’s and next week’s practices are open to the public.