FAYETTEVILLE — Veterans get some extra rest
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino, giving a thumbs up to his team’s overall progress in camp, let most of his veterans have an evening free of practice Wednesday.
The Razorbacks had a few good periods of live tackling Tuesday and followed with a solid workout Wednesday, prompting Petrino to have a newcomers’ practice in advance of tonight’s mock game at Razorback Stadium, which will be closed to the public.
“I feel like it’s time for our coaches to be off the field and let the players run the operation on the field,” Petrino said. “I’m happy where we’re at right now.
I think we’ve got a team that really understands our schemes.
“Our mental practices have been very good. Our execution isn’t as good as it needs to be. Some of that could be the two-a-day legs, the fatigue, our timing is a little bit off. But, mentally, I think our guys have been sharp, understand what we need to get done.”
Not all the veterans escaped the evening practice.
Linebacker Freddy Burton, cornerback Andru Stewart and offensive tackle Grant Freeman all got in extra work with the younger bunch.
Burton’s extra work was partially because of his recent move to middle linebacker.
“He didn’t practice quite as physical [Tuesday] as he needs to, so I thought he came out this morning, did a nice job, was very focused,” Petrino said. “We just needed to get him some more reps.”Worth noting
Freshman quarterback Jacoby Walker, who will miss the season following knee surgery, got in his first practice throws of camp during a couple nonteam periods.
Cornerback Andru Stewart made an athletic, twisting interception off Brandon Mitchell on the first play of a team period during the newcomer work. Mitchell struck back on the next play, hitting Javontee Herndon deep down the left sideline to beat Stewart.
Receiver Julius Horton had a few drops in the evening work, one in which he palmed a ball that was headed out of bounds, tipping it into the hands of Matt Marshall for an interception.
Linebacker Stephen Barnett corralled an interception that bounced off about three players.
Little Rock’s Arkansas Baptist College and Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College met halfway in Fayetteville and scrimmaged on the Razorbacks’ practice fields Wednesday.
Big foot
Freshman Zach Hocker’s right leg got quite a workout at the end of Wednesday morning’s practice.
Hocker hit 7 of 12 fieldgoal attempts without a break between snaps. His last four attempts were from 51 yards. His first 51-yard try was straight but fell short. Hocker then missed wide left and had his third attempt hit the left upright and bounce away before his final try was good as the Razorbacks surrounded him and chanted “Ole, Ole, Ole” as a distraction.
Hocker also missed a 50-yard attempt but hit from 49 and 46.
Senior Alex Tejada hit 4 of 5 attempts, with a long of 34 yards. Freshman Eddie Camara hit 4 of 4 attempts with a long of 43 yards.
Petrino said Hocker is “booming the ball” and he praised Tejada for a good overall camp.
Swanson’s shot
Redshirt freshman center Travis Swanson has been splitting first-team snaps with junior Seth Oxner, a returning starter.
“It’s definitely a lot faster than second team,” Swanson said. “It’s something you have to adjust to. You’re not going to wake up one day and automatically be able to go with those guys, but I think it’s going good.”
Offensive line coach Chris Klenakis said he likes Swanson’s athleticism and serious attitude.
“He wants to play, and he’s ready to play this year, and I really appreciate that out of a freshman,” Klenakis said.
Cap wrap
Coach Bobby Petrino commented publicly for the first time regarding the national attention that spawned from radio host Renee Gork being fired after wearing a Florida Gators cap at last Saturday’s scrimmage.
“You know, I don’t know that much about the attention from the national media,” Petrino said. “When the incident happened here, there was never an intention to see it escalate the way that it did, but that kind of got out of our control.”
Gork asked Petrino a question following the scrimmage, and after answering it Petrino replied, “and that will be the last question I answer with that hat on.”
Gork also wore the hat when the media approached quarterback Ryan Mallett, who jokingly commented on the cap.
The incident eventually was posted the Internet, riling Razorbacks fans, and Gork was fired from The Hog Sports Radio on Monday morning prior to her regular stint on “The Pro Knows” with former Razorback Mike Reppond.
See video at http://arkansasonline.com.
Sports, Pages 24 on 08/19/2010