FAYETTEVILLE — In the early stages of practice Thursday inside Walker Pavilion — the 13th of the spring for Arkansas football — new offensive line coach Eric Mateos was not pleased.
As the offensive linemen transitioned from a live team segment into unit-specific drills, Mateos could be heard urging his group to pick things up.
“That’s not the fast start we wanted,” Mateos said while jogging down the field. “Maybe we can get it going here.”
It appeared the linemen received his message.
Mateos and head coach Sam Pittman, who works with the unit during individual drills, delivered a high-intensity drill. Mateos demanded blocks be done with proper technique. If a rep was not done to his liking, it was done over again.
By the time the linemen had finished the station and transitioned into a drill with the rest of the offense, Pittman shouted, “Really good, you should be proud of that!”
So far, it appears Mateos has brought a new level of accountability and breathed some energy into to a unit that struggled mightily last season.
“I think it's a product of really everything on the offense,” said Patrick Kutas, who played right guard in 2023 but has switched to left guard in the spring. “We're making big plays. It's just a higher standard now.
“We [got] new transfer guys that came in. [Mateos], he just sets a new standard for us, and it's got to be that standard every single day. We're just excited to get out there and practice. It just gives us energy.”
It has not gone unnoticed by other players on the offense. Running back Rashod Dubion, who leads all returners with 260 yards rushing last season, mentioned the offensive linemen when asked about the new-look offense under Bobby Petrino.
“I love the O-line,” Dubinion said. “They play with energy.”
Kutas does not deny last season’s performance from the offensive linemen was poor. He started all nine games he played in as a sophomore, and acknowledged there was room for growth.
“I just had to really step back and take a look at last year and our performance as a team and individually, just take a deep breath in and put it behind me,” Kutas said. “And kind of just take a step up this year and grow up mentally [and] physically. The guys around me, they've helped me out so much just to be able to do that.”
The switch to left guard has been a more comfortable spot for Kutas, he said.
“I think I just fit better inside,” Kutas said. “I mean, obviously I'm able to play anywhere on the line, but I think my highest potential is inside. It's just been really fun…I can really use all my skills and abilities inside.”
Kutas has been starting alongside returner Josh Braun (right guard) and transfers Fernando Carmona (left tackle), Addison Nichols (center) and Keyshawn Blackstock (right tackle).
“It's just new energy,” Kutas said. “We come in every day and we're ready to work. Off the field, we're all best friends, so it just makes that even better. We have that bond and we're communicating better, so it's just been really great to bring them in.”
Red-White Game
On Saturday, the Razorbacks will go through a true game look with the Red-White scrimmage inside Razorback Stadium at 12 p.m.
“I think that’ll be exciting,” Kutas said. “We really get the chance to get out there and play free. No script, no restrictions. It’s just football at that point.”
Arkansas has held open scrimmages throughout spring practice, but those have mainly consisted of practicing certain game-like scenarios. The scrimmages were largely scripted, whereas the spring game will be live.
“We’re just here to put on a show,” Rashod Dubinion said. “Show the fans what they need to see: The bounce back from last year, how we’ve became as a team.”
The Razorbacks will have a final practice before the Red-White Game on Friday.
Petrino’s ‘electric’ offense
Dubinion, who is among Arkansas’ more experienced returners, expressed his excitement in playing in Petrino’s system. He talked to people when Petrino first rejoined the Razorbacks and said he heard good things.
The junior tailback has been impressed with the concepts and schemes.
Dubinion said he’s liked how the running and passing games have adapted to Petrino’s leadership.
“It was more electric. Everybody is excited,” Dubinion said. “It seems like the team, we’re ready to play football and not just be out there going through the motions."
Anthony Kristensen contributed to this report.