|
DT
Malcolm Sheppard |
2009
SCHEDULE
|
9-5-09 |
MISSOURI
STATE |
9-19-09 |
GEORGIA |
9-26-09 |
at
Alabama |
10-3-09 |
Texas
A&M @Dallas, TX |
10-10-09 |
AUBURN |
10-17-09 |
at
Florida |
10-24-09 |
at
Mississippi |
10-31-09 |
EASTERN
MICHIGAN |
11-7-09 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA |
11-14-09 |
TROY |
11-21-09 |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE |
11-28-09 |
at
Louisiana State |
|
Coach:
Bobby Petrino
5-7,
1 year |
2008
Statistics |
2008
RESULTS: 5-7 |
WESTERN
ILLINOIS |
WON
28-24 |
LOUISIANA-MONROE
|
WON
28-27 |
ALABAMA |
LOST
14-49 |
at
Texas |
LOST
10-52 |
FLORIDA |
LOST
7-38 |
at
Auburn |
WON
25-22 |
at
Kentucky |
LOST
20-21 |
MISSISSIPPI |
LOST
21-23 |
TULSA |
WON
30-23 |
at
South Carolina |
LOST
21-34 |
at
Mississippi State |
LOST
28-31 |
LOUISIANA
STATE |
WON
31-30 |
|
|
2008 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2009
Outlook |
Did
anyone really expect then-new
head coach Bobby Petrino
to come into Fayetteville
with a completely new
pass-first spread offensive
approach and successfully
transform the Razorbacks
from a rather straight-forward
running team into a 21st
century juggernaut? Adding
to Petrino’s intimidating
challenge was the loss
of phenom running backs
Darren McFadden and Felix
Jones, both as first round
draft selections. No one
really knew what the initial
outcome would be.
After
barely beating Western
Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe
in the home openers while
also giving up 95 points
over the last three games,
the blank slate of 2009
affords the learning curve
to kick in. Depth and
the experiences of ‘08
will mean development
and efforts this year
that will surpass those
just seen.
Stay
the path, you Hog faithful.
Petrino is starting to
bring in elite skill position
recruits, and many of
them have already paid
their dues. The most evident
improvements will be at
receiver, a position that
rarely, if ever, has had
more than one promising
talent on the field under
past regimes. This corps
is deeper, faster and
more equipped to fit the
current Petrino passing
scheme. None of this makes
any difference, however,
unless the man throwing
the ball has the pedigree
and skills to work these
schemes.
Arkansas
may have found their guy
in transfer Ryan Mallett
(who ironically left Michigan
after it shifted away
from being a pro-style
set). This former five-star
high school recruit has
already demonstrated that
the hype surrounding the
strength of his arm was
no hoax. Coaches have
continually addressed
the difference Mallett
has already made with
his touch on the deep
pass, which, in turn,
is exactly what this offense
needs in terms of spreading
the field. Mallett is
not the savior just yet;
he still has some learning
to do in working the entire
field, especially with
the stroke of his short
game.
For
years, Arkansas has been
hampered by a quarterback
unit that seemed to be
nothing more than guys
who were taught to "not
lose". Mallett left
Michigan 3-0 in his limited
starts as a freshman.
He is going to be a great
fit for Petrino's system
in time.
On
the other hand, the running
numbers predictably dropped.
Still, the fact that Michael
Smith is one of the most
gifted ball carriers in
the south should mean
more ground production.
The offensive line has
a ton of experience but
has a long way to travel
in the improvement department.
This front was largely
responsible for the rushing
downturn. More importantly,
the OL hampered the passing
game (118th nationally
in sacks allowed). Turning
the line’s quality
of play upward will go
far toward improving the
‘W’ column.
However,
what killed Petrino's
rookie season wasn't his
offense...the defensive
production was substandard.
This was the worst defense
in the SEC (for rushing,
pass efficiency, total
and scoring). Experience
has to pay off since ten
starters return on this
side of the ball. Injuries
and suspensions are hopefully
a thing of the past with
battle-tested troops like
these populating the entire
lineup. Whether the coaching
changes had anything to
do with the stopping troubles
of a year ago remains
to be seen. With another
year under defensive coordinator
Willy Robinson's tutelage,
this defense is going
to be much better (which
may not take much if tough
lessons are heeded).
Six
of the first seven games
on the ’09 slate
are akin to these Hogs
avoiding the slaughterhouse.
Georgia, Alabama, Texas
A&M, Auburn, Florida
and Ole Miss...these Hogs
had best be ready. Such
a slate will preclude
Arkansas, unless they
lose only one of these,
from hopping into any
early top 25 voting. How
this team finishes once
the schedule lightens
will truly tell their
tale. The horrid finish
like that of a year ago
would certainly leave
this team out of bowl
eligibility.
As
new talent continues to
pour in, the future here
still looks bright...it
may be just waiting another
year down the road until
Arkansas returns to SEC/national
prominence. But, for sure,
the 2009 Hogs will be
more competitive than
2008’s version.
Projected
2009 record: 7-5
|
|
|
RB
Michael Smith |
ARKANSAS
2008 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
97 |
10 |
Passing: |
23 |
2 |
Total
Off: |
49 |
4 |
Sacks
Allow: |
118 |
12 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
90 |
12 |
Passing: |
54 |
10 |
Total
Def: |
72 |
12 |
Sacks: |
50 |
7 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Tyler Wilson, 11-22-2,
69 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Michael
Smith, 207 att., 1072
yds., 8 TD
Receiving: D.J.
Williams, 61 rec., 729
yds., 9 TD
Scoring: Michael
Smith, 10 TD, 60 pts.
Punting: None
Kicking: Alex Tejada,
4-9 FG, 20-21 PAT, 32
pts.
Tackles: Jerry
Franklin, 87 tot., 54
pts.
Sacks: Malcolm
Sheppard, 6.5 sacks
Interceptions:
Ramon Broadway, 2 for
26 yds.; Jerry Franklin,
2 for 11 yds.
Kickoff Returns:
Dennis Johnson, 41 ret.,
22.1 avg., 1 TD
Punt Returns: Michael
Smith, 5 ret., 8.8 avg.,
0 TD
|
ARKANSAS
TOP NEWCOMERS |
QB
Ryan Mallett
- He has already
been named the
starter in his
first year of
eligibility.
The Michigan
transfer is
proving the
hype that comes
with his strong
arm is no joke.
OT
Matt Hall
- The 6'9
redshirt freshman
is going to
be one of
the best blockers
to come out
of the Petrino
era here.
While still
in the learning
curve phase,
he has been
masterful
in one-on-one
competition.
DB
Rudell Crim
- The Butler
C.C. transfer
was the top
rated JUCO
defensive
back in 2008
according
to Rivals.com.
The Tallahassee
native (former
teammate of
Michael Smith)
will get an
immediate
shot and will
have impact
at safety
for this struggling
unit.
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ARKANSAS
2009
College Football Preview
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 8 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 11 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Casey Dick-QB, Jonathan
Luigs-C, Jose Valdez-OT,
Nathan Dick-QB (transferring),
Andrew Davie-TE (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Antwain
Robinson-DE, Ernest Mitchell-NT,
Elston Forte-LB, Jamar Love-CB,
Dallas Washington-SS, Jeremy
Davis-P |
|
|
2009
OFFENSE |
QUARTERBACK
No one was really sure who would
be the starter here going into
spring competition. Previous
starter Casey Dick graduated
while his brother Nathan Dick
transferred. By the end of April,
Coach Petrino tabbed Michigan
transfer Ryan Mallett as the
No. 1 guy. The 6-7 five-star
prospect from Texas sat out
last year via NCAA transfer
rules. Mallett possesses one
of the strongest arms in college
football. His last playing time
was in Ann Arbor as a backup
to Chad Henne. He managed to
start three games for the Wolverines
that ’07 season but never
really tapped his potential.
Mallett needs to work on the
finer details such as better
touch on his short tosses. Still,
his deep ball skills may be
just what the doctor ordered
in Fayetteville for stretching
the field. Tyler Wilson started
the spring at the top of the
depth chart. He earned the backup
job last season before being
diagnosed with mononucleosis.
Before being granted a medical
redshirt, Wilson completed 50%
of his passes (22 attempts).
Bottom line: no quarterback
on this roster has started a
game for the Razorbacks.
RUNNING
BACK
Despite the talent in this backfield
with headliner Michael Smith
rushing for just over 1000 yards
last season, Coach Petrino was
the first to step up and pinpoint
the struggles of the SEC’s
10th-ranked ground game. The
need for improvement here was
the off-season cry. The fact
Smith was sidelined all spring
after undergoing hamstring surgery
did not help confidence, but
the workhorse in this ground
attack also returns as the team's
second leading receiver. Given
the proper blocking up front,
Smith is capable of doing much
more. De'Anthony Curtis looks
to be the next best option after
battling with several others.
Curtis’s confidence appears
to be growing to match his natural
abilities (speed, power and
soft hands). The focus will
be developing Curtis into the
tackle-breaking weapon towards
which he has shown some promise.
These two, combined with kick
return artist Dennis Johnson,
supply enough talent to allow
the rushing attack to get back
to its feared ways. SEC foes
should expect nothing less despite
the new pass-oriented approach.
RECEIVER
/ TIGHT END
The receiver position is deep,
more so than what has been available
on this roster in a very long
time. Several worthy talents
are fighting to earn a starting
spot. Much of the talent pool
can be attributed to Petrino’s
open offensive philosophy that
has attracted only elite receivers
in his past two recruiting efforts.
The spring has made sophomore
Jarius Wright the top dog of
the unit. He has developed into
one of Mallett's favorite targets
and continues to get better
with every practice. One of
many upperclassmen, senior London
Crawford caught the final pass
of the 2008 season, the one
that beat LSU 31-30 on the game’s
last play. Coaches hope the
momentum will propel Crawford
into being a more consistent
receiver (numerous drops have
been his career downfall). Joe
Adams and former walk-on Lucas
Miller, also multiple game starters
with Crawford a year ago, each
maintain production, so this
offense knows how to spread
the ball around. D.J. Williams
caught 61 passes and was voted
an AP First Team All-SEC selection
at tight end last fall. He has
been hitting the weight room
and concentrating on his blocking
skills this off-season. Expect
Williams to be one of the better
all-around tight ends on a national
level.
OFFENSIVE
LINE
The Hogs are going through a
major shake up on the front
line. Gone are two full-time
starters on the outside. However,
four guards will return with
significant starting experience
and each has been given an opportunity
at multiple positions on this
wall. Starting guard (2007)
Mitch Petrus returns after taking
a redshirt last year. Wade Grayson
has been moved to center to
make way for Petrus; Demarcus
Love has been shifted to tackle.
Don't count out 6'9 redshirt
frosh Matt Hall, one of the
better linemen in one-on-one
drills. Before his college time
is done, Hall could be one of
the better blockers to emerge
from the Petrino era. This unit
really struggled last season
while adapting to its then-new
offensive system. If the offense
is to take steps forward, it
will have to find much better
pass blocking (118th nationally
in sacks allowed). The running
game took a big step back in
the stats department, and that
explains the position shifting
across this front. Plenty of
experience is still available,
and with another year under
this coaching staff, improvements
should finally be evident.
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TE
D.J. Williams
|
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ARKANSAS
2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Ryan
Mallett-So (6-7, 248) |
Tyler
Wilson-RFr (6-2, 202) |
FB |
Van
Stumon-Jr (6-1, 266) |
Mitchell
Bailey-So (5-11, 221) |
RB |
Michael
Smith-Sr (5-7, 176) |
De'Anthony
Curtis-So (5-9, 211) |
WR |
London
Crawford-Sr (6-2, 204) |
Greg
Childs-So (6-3, 204) |
WR |
Joe
Adams-So (5-11, 177) |
Carlton
Salters-Jr (5-11, 195) |
WR |
Lucas
Miller-Sr (6-3, 204) |
Jarius
Wright-So (5-10, 174) |
TE |
D.J.
Williams-Jr (6-2, 251) |
Ben
Cleveland-Jr (6-4, 249)
Chris Gragg-So (6-3, 222) |
OT |
Ray
Dominguez-Jr (6-4, 329) |
Grant
Freeman-So (6-7, 289) |
OG |
Grant
Cook-So (6-4, 322) |
Seth
Oxner-So (6-4, 305) |
C |
Wade
Grayson-Jr (6-4, 289) |
Clay
Bemberg-Jr (6-2, 287) |
OG |
Mitch
Petrus-Sr (6-4, 315) |
Michael
Aguirre-Sr (6-5, 319) |
OT |
DeMarcus
Love-Jr (6-5, 305) |
Matt
Hall-RFr (6-9, 328) |
K |
Alex
Tejada-Jr (6-0, 205) |
.. |
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2009
DEFENSE |
DEFENSIVE
LINE
It all starts up front for the
Razorback D. Experience is the
key word associated with both
lines, and the defensive side
boasts the most with all four
starters returning. The end
spot could be the strength of
the team, according to coaches.
Senior Adrian Davis has 17 starts
under his belt and eight career
sacks to his credit. The former
safety (first moved to linebacker
and then to defensive end) has
added even more weight this
off-season and is playing well.
Jake Bequette has also bulked
up (6'5, 271lbs) but has not
been quite the sack producer
coaches desire. Still, his size
on the outside makes him hard
for blockers to move. The leader
of this front is found inside
in All-SEC honoree Malcolm Sheppard.
He is one of only two defensive
players to start all 12 games
last season, and Sheppard’s
work ethic during practice has
earned the praise of every teammate.
While the experience looks fantastic
on paper, the statistics of
a year ago suggest this group
needs better production holding
ground, literally. This was
the worst rushing defense in
the SEC last year, a factor
that, if not improved, will
continue to hamper the loss
column.
LINEBACKER
This unit was decimated with
injuries and suspensions through
the first four games of '08
before coaches finally found
a combination that worked. This
shuffling is directly related
to the poor run stuffing numbers.
That starting combination of
Davis, Burton and Franklin remains
in tact, and the trio is still
sporting the top spots on the
depth chart. Wendel Davis has
been making the most significant
strides this spring. After coming
back from injury and an off
the field issue, his mid-season
return helped this defense to
finally find some form of an
identity. He has become a leader
and in this, his last season,
his presence continues to make
this front seven even better.
Jerry Franklin is the team's
leading tackler from a year
ago. He is the other defender
(than Sheppard) to start all
12 games. His starting job has
never been in question. With
so much experience and leadership
returning to the line up, expect
much better production here.
No reason exists why Arkansas
should still be weak in the
middle defending the power game
with this bunch.
DEFENSIVE
BACK
Like at LB, the 2008 version
of this backfield underwent
a good many changes, but all
four players that started the
final game are back in the lineup.
Nothing is set in stone, so
some beneficial position battles
will provide depth, and a good
many elite recruits are still
on the way. The only cornerback
who has separated from the pack
thus far is Isaac Madison, which
should be no surprise seeing
he was not about to relinquish
the slot he secured a year ago.
The first option opposite Madison
is Ramon Broadway, who came
on strong after having to step
in for injured senior Jamar
Love last fall. Broadway is
one of the team's fastest players.
Strong safety Jerico Nelson
recorded seven starts as a true
freshman (some of them at linebacker).
Elton Ford also racked up eight
starts as a true freshman before
being lost for the season with
a neck injury. The return of
Ford means that senior Matt
Harris could wind up moving
back to strong safety, but either
way, Harris gives coaches the
luxury of a player that can
play both safety spots. Harris,
too, is the lone senior in this
secondary. But no worry, for
this youthful bunch has seen
plenty of action despite their
short time in the program. This
summer will welcome in highly
decorated JUCO safeties Rudell
Crim (Butler C.C. - Kansas)
and Anthony Leon (College of
the Sequoias - California).
Crim was rated by Rivals.com
as the top JUCO defensive back
while Leon ranked seventh.
|
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LB
Jerry Franklin
|
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ARKANSAS
2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Jake
Bequette-So (6-5, 271) |
Damario
Ambrose-Jr (6-5, 268) |
NT |
Zach
Stadther-So (6-1, 289) |
Alfred
Davis-RFr (6-1, 322) |
DT |
Malcolm
Sheppard-Sr (6-2, 280) |
Patrick
Jones-Jr (6-1, 309) |
DE |
Adrian
Davis-Sr (6-4, 250) |
Tenarius
Wright-RFr (6-1, 233) |
WLB |
Wendel
Davis-Sr (6-1, 222) |
Khiry
Battle-So (5-11, 222) |
MLB |
Jerry
Franklin-So (6-1, 237) |
Jelani
Smith-RFr (6-0, 205) |
SLB |
Freddy
Burton-Jr (6-2, 227) |
Bret
Harris-So (5-11, 210) |
CB |
Ramon
Broadway-Jr (5-9, 191) |
Jerell
Norton-Jr (6-0, 200) |
CB |
Isaac
Madison-Jr (5-10, 181) |
Greg
Gatson-Jr (5-10, 166) |
SS |
Jerico
Nelson-So (5-9, 197) |
Chris
Raggett-RFr (5-11, 202) |
FS |
Elton
Ford-So (6-0, 204) |
Matt
Harris-Sr (6-2, 190) |
P |
Briton
Forester-Jr (5-10, 185) |
.. |
|
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2009
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Place
kicker Alex Tejada handled field goal
duties much of last year and struggled
at times. So Arkansas hired former
Michigan State head coach John L.
Smith in January to coordinate the
special teams. Smith's first order
of business was to simplify the thought
process for Tejada, who has the leg
but lacks a few fundamentals and therefore
consistent accuracy. Expect to see
a much finer tuned Tejada. The only
player who punted last fall (Davis)
has departed, and Briton Forester,
a transfer out of Palomar College,
will not arrive until the fall. Forester
initially lettered at Hawai'i, and
going 28-of-31 handling extra points
there (2006) proves he can take on
double kicking duties if needed. Jarius
Wright, Michael Smith and Jerell Norton
all handled punt returns in 2008,
and all three are back. Wright and
Smith are two of the team’s
biggest open-field playmakers, so
it makes sense to see them here. Dennis
Johnson returns after setting the
school record for kickoff return yards
in a season (905, to compliment his
one return TD). The talent is here,
and now a worthy director of said
talent is in place. Hiring a coach
of Smith’s quality will pay
dividends across the special team's
board.
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