Hogs stay on toes with line shuffles

FAYETTEVILLE -- Dalton Wagner found out shortly before kickoff Saturday he would be the emergency starter at left tackle for the University of Arkansas in place of Colton Jackson.

Wagner had taken the bulk of his reps at right tackle during the week.

But when Jackson woke up with back spasms and could not get them alleviated during pre-game warmups, Wagner got the call on the other side of the line.

The redshirt freshman filled in admirably while playing all 73 snaps in Arkansas' 23-0 victory over Tulsa.

The tallest Razorback at 6-9, the 300-pound Wagner committed no penalties, gave up no sacks and had just two assignment errors.

"He did phenomenal today," senior left guard and team captain Hjalte Froholdt said. "Dalton didn't really know until game time, so I'm proud of him."

Jackson, a 17-game starter in his career, is considered day to day heading into Saturday's 11 a.m. game against Vanderbilt.

Right guard Johnny Gibson, who has been battling through a knee injury, is also day to day. Coach Dustin Fry has dealt with more than his fair share of injuries and setbacks to his position group.

Much like a deep snapper or referee, it's best to stay anonymous as a left tackle.

"We told Dalton, 'If we don't notice that you're in there, that's a good thing. When we notice that you're the one giving up a sack or missing a block, that's a bad thing,' " offensive coordinator Joe Craddock said.

Wagner said Fry had him ready for the moment, and Froholdt and his other line mates helped him keep the anxiety level low.

"At first I was like a little nervous, but then I'm like, Coach Fry had me prepared," Wagner said. "I've got my offensive linemen with me and they're all smart dudes, especially the leadership of Hjalte. With him there next to me, he can help me out with any questions I had.

"Finding out [about Jackson's spasms] was ... kind of a stomach dropper, but at the same time, next man up mentality. It was just like, 'You're prepared for this, you've studied film for this, you've seen the scouting reports, you've done everything.' I was ready to go."

Several Razorbacks praised Wagner.

"I think he stepped up major," tailback Rakeem Boyd said. "He played a good role for a guy that just found out before the game he's going to start. He did a pretty good job."

Said quarterback Ty Storey: "Obviously that's a guy who comes in every day like he is a starter, like he is playing. For him to step up like that, it didn't surprise me. He's a hard worker, and he knows what he's doing."

Wagner said he felt like he played fast and physical against the Golden Hurricane, and the assignment errors "were just stupid mistakes I made, just antsy jitters."

"Coach Fry was very pleased with what I did," Wagner said. "They didn't have to change anything, and I didn't disrupt anything, and I did my best out there."

Late shuffles have become the norm for the Arkansas offensive front this year. As if the transition to a new, hurry-up style of offense wasn't enough, the Razorbacks have dealt with a slew of personnel issues.

Three offensive linemen who could have figured into the two deep -- Jake Heinrich, Jalen Merrick and Dylan Hays -- have taken medical hardships and given up football in the past year. Deion Malone moved over from defense and suffered a knee injury that required surgery. After that, defensive tackle Austin Capps followed suit and has played 128 snaps in six games.

Fry has used four different starters at the critical left tackle spot -- redshirt freshman Shane Clenin, true freshman Noah Gatlin, Jackson and Wagner -- with Jackson out for the first two games due to back surgery. Additionally, Froholdt and Ty Clary swapped positions -- from center and left guard -- after Week 3. Only Gibson and right tackle Brian Wallace have started all eight games at the same spots.

Wagner had been working as the starting left tackle early in training camp with Jackson on the mend, but an appendectomy set Wagner back a few weeks.

After early season struggles, the offensive line is rounding into form. The Hogs allowed 12 combined sacks in consecutive losses to North Texas, Auburn and Texas A&M, but the Razorbacks have given up only two in the past three games, including none against Tulsa.

Arkansas ranked 101st in the country by allowing 2.8 sacks per game after giving up five against Texas A&M. The Hogs have dropped their average to 2.0 sacks allowed per game, and they now rank 55th in that department.

"I think they're heading in the right direction," Morris said. "I think Coach Fry has done a really good job with them. You're cross-training a lot of guys. You're cutting and pasting at times. I think they're definitely heading in the right direction."

Saturday’s game

VANDERBILT AT ARKANSAS

WHEN 11 a.m.

WHERE Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

RECORDS Vanderbilt 3-5, 0-4 SEC; Arkansas 2-6, 0-4

TV SEC Network

Sports on 10/25/2018