ANDY SHUPE Northwest Arkansas Times Arkansas assistant coach Paul Petrino, left, speaks to senior quarterback Casey Dick during practice Aug. 10 in Razorback Stadium.

Apparently Bobby Petrino wasn't kidding that even last Friday night's dress rehearsal scrimmage would factor into the depth chart for the real thing when his Razorbacks open the season Saturday night against Western Illinois.

Arkansas and the WIU Leathernecks meet at 6 p.m. in Saturday's nonconference game at Frank Broyles Field at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

" Every day we tell our players, you have the opportunity to get better or get worse, " Petrino said. " Move up the depth chart or let somebody go by you. It's an ongoing evaluation and will be as the year goes on. "

It was ongoing bigtime when the coaches convened Sunday night.

Some two-deep eyeopeners released late Monday afternoon by Arkansas'sports information department included Jelani Smith moving ahead of fellow true freshman Khiry Battle at Will linebacker, displaced junior free safety Matt Harris reemerging ahead of senior Dallas Washington at strong safety while freshman Elton Ford and junior Rashaad Johnson are listed 1-2 at free safety.

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Senior captain Elston Forte, opening the preseason at first-team Will linebacker, was seen Monday at his first practice on rehab assignment since he was injured early in preseason. Forte remains unlikely to play Saturday, but Petrino has lauded Battle and now lauds Jelani Smith.

" He likes to hit and he likes to run and he plays real physical, " Petrino.

Petrino called Smith's scrimmage work " off the charts" from last Friday night.

Senior Jamar Love of North Little Rock is listed recouping the first-team boundary cornerback spot he lost for awhile last week to sophomore Ramon Broadway.

On offense, Lucas Miller of Greenwood has moved ahead of Carlton Salters at one the three wide receiver spots. Wade Grayson, the sophomore from Harrison, holds forth at weakside guard over senior incumbent Mitch Petrus. They have been splitting time since the second week of preseason but Grayson, a second-team guard last year, seemed to hold a slight advantage since he was promoted to co-firstteam.

" Grayson had a good camp, " Petrino said. " He runs real well and pulls and does things that we like. And very reliable. That combination up front, we feel good about. "

The depth chart lists 12 offensive positions with fullback, walkons Mitchell Bailey and Warren's John Durmon running 1-2, also listed with three wideouts, a tight end, quarterback, running back and the offensive line.

Second-team surprises dotted both sides of the ball. Especially with true freshmen.

True freshman Zach Stadther of North Little Rock, a likely redshirt candidate at the preseason outset, now is listed No. 2 nose tackle behind senior Ernest Mitchell while true freshman Lavunce Askew of Camden Fairview is No. 2 tackle behind Malcolm Sheppard.

Askew established depth char t prominence r ight away, but the staff also likes Stadther.

" The kids got great instincts, " Petrino said. " He's hard to move. Low pad level. "

Other rookies in prominent roles include receiver Jarius Wright of Camden Fairview, a first-team wideout, Joe Adams of Central Arkansas Christian backing up Wright, and running back Dennis Johnson of Texarkana listed No. 2 to fourth-year junior starter Michael Smith. De'Anthony Curtis, the freshman from Camden Fairview, had been No. 2 but now is listed No. 4 as he comes off a knee injury.

Another true freshman from Camden Fairview, Greg Childs, is listed second-team to junior London Crawford at receiver.

True freshman Tramain Thomas is listed secondteam field corner to sophomore Isaac Madison, and true freshman Jerico Nelson is the backup Jack, the newly created hybrid safety / outside linebacker position.

Established regulars holding forth on the offensive team include center Jonathan Luigs, tackles Jose Valdez and Ray Dominguez, strongside guard DeMarcus Love, tight end D. J. Williams, quarterback Casey Dick and running back Michael Smith.

Redshirt freshman Nathan Dick, challenged throughout August by true freshman Tyler Wilson, is listed No. 2 to No. 1 quarterback to Casey Dick.

Defensive regulars holding forth include senior Antwain Robinson and junior Adrian Davis at the ends, veterans Mitchell and Sheppard at tackles, redshirt freshman Jerry Franklin of Marion at middle linebacker and senior Walner Leandre at Jack.

On special teams, Jarius Wright will return punts and team with fellow freshman Elton Ford returning kicks. Jeremy Davis will punt and kick off and hold for Alex Tejada's placekicks.

Sophomore Rhett Richardson snaps for punts and placekicks. Incoming freshman Albert Gary is not with the team, Petrino confirmed Monday.

Gary had been awaiting academic clearance.