I asked Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman if there were an opportunity Saturday to play a lot of guys up front, what do they do at center, and he said 'if you're asking if we'd play Zach Rogers, the answer is yes.' Rogers is Arkansas' true freshman backup center, though if something went wrong with the first group, they would shift other players around and move Frank Ragnow inside to center from guard.
Pittman and running backs coach Jemal Singleton said there was great focus in practice. He was asked about Tyler Colquitt and if he would play, and he declined to answer about his injury but did say Colquitt didn't really show them what they wanted to see in camp, so he has some work to do moving forward.
I also asked Pittman about Roy Robertson-Harris, UTEP's standout defensive end, and Pittman compared him to Razorback end Deatrich Wise in terms of his size and his ability to go inside and outside. He said they'll probably try to line up a tight end on his side and make sure he doesn't dictate what they do. Tight end Hunter Henry commented on Robertson-Harris also, and also said he has taken a lot of pride the last year in improving as a blocker. When he arrived, he said it was basically foreign to him.
Singleton will be on the field during the game, and he hopes to be able to essentially sit back and watch his backs go after putting in the work this week. He will have the opportunity to run through the 'A' since he's not in the booth and is looking forward to experiencing his first game day.
Brandon Allen said it's impossible to overthrow Dominique Reed. He said he has tried and tried, and it cannot be done. Depending on the route, Allen said he will take that five-step drop extra quick (as Dan Enos said on Monday) to try and not underthrow Reed.
Alex Collins sounds excited for the start of the season and looks to be in the best physical shape of his life. Collins also appears to be fully healthy.
UTEP safety LaQuintus Dowell is a cousin of Arkansas receiver Eric Hawkins. Hawkins said he has been in communication with that side of the family, but there hasn't been any smack talk. He said their parents do all the trash talking.
Arkansas has been listed on the watch list for the Joe Moore award, which starting this year will go out annually to the best offensive line in college football. Sebastian Tretola said 'we got it, quote me on that.'
Tretola also said they've focused on playing with their eyes and playing fast, though he said when offensive linemen play with their eyes up they sometimes play slower. But they have to be aware of any trickery UTEP tries to throw at them in the opener.
Tretola said if he is granted a sixth year of eligibility, he will drop 50 pounds down to 265 and throw his name into the hat for Arkansas' vacancy at starting quarterback in place of Brandon Allen (a joke).
