Petrus

On Monday’s start of Texas Week, much Arkansas news was directed elsewhere.

The Razorbacks, commencing practice today for Saturday’s 2: 30 p. m. ABC televised game against eighth-ranked Texas in Austin, learned Monday of early honors for wide receiver Joe Adams, an early start (11: 30 a. m. ) to their Sept. 20 SEC opener with Alabama in Fayetteville and announced it’s a year later that offensive guard Mitch Petrus will conclude his Razorback career.

A Razorback senior three-year letterman from Carlisle as a former tight end and fullback and then last year an offensive guard, Petrus missed the first two games of 2008 because of an eligibility issue, the UA has disclosed without elaboration other than it does not involve an NCAA violation.

Apparently the eligibility issue won’t be resolved this year. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino announced Monday Petrus will redshirt.

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Petrus will continue to practice and prepare to return in 2009 while sophomore Wade Grayson of Harrison continues starting at weakside guard.

With Petrus mothballed, junior Michael Aguirre practically becomes a one-man second team as the first sub at guard or tackle while backup center Seth Oxner of Monticello also practices at reserve guard.

“ It makes us very, very thin, ” Petrino said. “ It makes us have to back up at weak tackle and weak guard with Aguirre. We’re fortunate that Wade Grayson has been doing a real nice job. We worked him in there all camp and he’s done a nice job handling it. ”

Adams, the Little Rock born true freshman wideout from Central Arkansas Christian, was named the SEC Freshman of the Week Monday by the SEC Office in Birmingham, Ala. In last Saturday’s 28-27 victory in Little Rock over the University of ouisiana at Monroe, Adams caught 7 passes for 89 yards including a long catch of 33 yards, and added 9 rushing yards on a reverse.

“ Joe had a real nice game for us, ” Petrino said Monday. “ Made a couple of big catches, went up and got that one ball that looks like it could be an interception if he doesn’t go up and get it. He made a great play, showed his athletic ability. He was a big part of the win. He’s got a chance to be a great player for us. ”

In just two games, Adams already has 10 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

As for Arkansas’ SEC opener Sept. 20 against Alabama at Frank Broyles Field in Reynolds Razorback Stadium, the kickoff will be at 11: 30 a. m. to accommodate Raycom television.

Elston Forte, the senior linebacker from Little Rock Mills voted a team captain in preseason, should make his 2008 debut against Texas.

Forte missed most of preseason and Arkansas’ 2-0 start with a knee injury the first week of August drills. He did dress out for practice last week.

“ He’ll go out full contact, ” Petrino said of Forte for today’s practice. “ He’s been one of the leaders all spring and early fall, so hopefully it’ll be a stabilizing factor. But, again, you’ve got to see how the week of practice goes. You don’t want to jump the gun, but we anticipate that he’ll be back. ”

For the Hogs’ beleaguered special teams, it’s special news that receiver Marques Wade and especially linebacker Freddy Burton have fulfilled their two-game suspensions from summer DWI charges to return to the active roster.

Burton, a sophomore letterman from Morrilton, had 21 tackles on special teams last year, most on the team.

“ They’ll definitely be helping us on special teams, ” Petrino said. “ Both of them are the size and speed that can really contribute in those areas. One of the problems we’re having is that we have so many young guys that are playing on regular offense and defense and then all of a sudden they’re on special teams too, and they’re getting a little overwhelmed. ”

Nobody seemed more surprisingly overwhelmed, though, than Alex Tejada.

The strong-legged sophomore letterman placekicker from Springdale missed a PAT and both his field goal attempts, one from 46 but the other just from 25, and also kicked off out of bounds against Louisiana-Monroe.

Jeremy Davis did all the second-half kickoffs. Walkon Shay Haddock kicked both second-half PATs, including the game-winner breaking a 27-27 tie.

So who is the top placekicker now ?

“ We’ve just got to take that one game at a time, ” Petrino said. “ Kick, kick, kick and see how we’re doing. Like I said after the game, he (Tejada ) had his best week of practice. So figure that out. ”