"We've had a good week of preparation. I'm proud of how our team responded this week as far as practice and preparation. Our guys are focused and worked extremely hard this week. I saw more energy and execution tonight in practice as I've seen all year. It's time to go out Saturday and show it. We are excited for this game and really looking forward to it."
On Michael Smith's status:
"He practiced today and he was running full speed. He probably took 30 percent of the reps which is a lot for a running back. We'll see how he responds to it and how he feels tomorrow. This is the first day he burst and went full speed. If nothing happens in response to him pushing that hard, he will be ready to go. If he has a set back then he won't be ready to go."
On the growth of the team this week:
"I really like the way we responded this week. Obviously, our guys were really down on Monday. We put it behind us and we came out on Tuesday and worked hard. We didn't do everything right but our effort and attitude were really good. Wednesday's practice was better and today was as good a Thursday as we've had. Hopefully that shows up on Saturday."
I was right last week that Arkansas/Georgia would be high-scoring but I was wrong on who would come out on the winning end. Little did I know that our secondary would look just as dismal as last year.
This AR/AL game is interesting in the fact that the SEC's #1 offense will be going up against the #1 defense. Alabama hasn't seen the likes of this offense and conversely, Arkansas hasn't seen a defense like Alabama's.
I feel this will most definitely be another loss for Arkansas placed squarely on the defense's shoulders. Mallett proved he could throw any pass and I believe he will do some of the same in this game. He won't be AS proficient against a stronger defense, however I believe he will get some nice yardage. I also feel our running game will get a little better if Michael Smith is 100%.
However, Alabama's offense is no slouch. They will score on Arkansas and with little depth on the lines, we won't keep up.
At Fayetteville, kickoff 6:45 on ESPN Arkansas (1-0) Georgia (1-1)
In the preseason, I wasn't sure about this game. I thought Arkansas might have a chance but deep down, I figured they would lose this game.
After seeing Georgia's first two games, I now see this as very winnable. They are hard to read at this point (as are most teams this early in the season). The first game against Oklahoma State, their offense sputtered and it looked to be a strong defense that would take them through the year. This past game against South Carolina, the opposite seemed to happen. So which is the true Georgia team?
One thing is certain, if Mallett can get time in the pocket and effectively buy himself time when needed, he could torch the Georgia secondary. This is actually what I as a Hog fan, am counting on. On the flip side, the Arkansas defense and special teams still needs work and I'm afraid Cox will torch the Hog secondary in return... especially if they give them the ball at the 40 a time or two.
I think this will be fairly high scoring and will come down to the last possession.
For the blog. To make it more sec related and not just hog talk all the time.Will do a different team every few days.
Auburn scored 556 yards, the most since 2005. Gene Chizik goes to 6-19 in his career as a head coach.Auburn had two 100 yard rushers, Onterio McCalebb (148) and Ben Tate (117). Terrell Zachery's 93 yard touchdown reception was the longest offense play in Auburn history.The 37-13 score was the largest margin of victory in an Auburn coach's debut since 1944. Daren Bates made an interception after letting on go through his hands just prior to it. Another freshman got La. Tech's only other turnover, a fumble recovery by Nick Fairley.Tate's rushing pushed him over 2,000 career rushing yards. He is the 13th Auburn back til reach the feat. He fumbled on the six yardline on one of his runs. Darvin Adams, Kodi Burns and Onterio McCalebb all also scored touchdowns on top of Zachery's. Wes Byrum was 3/3 on field goals with a long of 49 and 4/4 on extra points. Auburn faces Mississippi State next, who defeated Jackson State 45-7.Information by :http://www.auburnbybeaver.blogspot.com
The Arkansas Razorbacks began year two with Bobby Petrino by racking up 447 yards through the air in a 48-10 thumping of Missouri State.
In the state of Arkansas, black bear hunting season typically does not begin until the winter. Second-year head coach Bobby Petrino and the University of Arkansas Razorbacks got a head start with a 21-point first quarter to begin a 41-10 rout of the Missouri State Bears before a sellout crowd at War Memorial Stadium. The Razorbacks, 1-0, passed for a school record 447 yards behind the efficient work of sophomore Ryan Mallett and freshman Tyler Wilson. Both quarterbacks had sustained touchdown drives for the Razorbacks as Arkansas combined to hit 30 of 41 attempts with a lone interception. Missouri State drops to 0-1 in the season opener for both teams.
"We came down here and did what we set out to do," UA head coach Bobby Petrino said. "I was really happy with our preparation and the way that we traveled. We are a more mature team than we were a year ago and it showed in the game. There is a lot we have to learn, but first and foremost I want to emphasize the positive aspects. We will get to work and fix the negatives by next game."
The Razorbacks took control of the game at the kickoff as Dennis Johnson took Matt Hottelman's opening kick off 91 yards for the first touchdown of the 2009 season. The PAT from Alex Tejada gave Arkansas a 7-0 lead 18 seconds into the game and led the way for the first 21-point quarter of offense in the Petrino Era at Arkansas. "That kickoff return was demoralizing," Bear cornerback Cedric Alvis said. "College football is all about momentum and we started out without momentum."
Nearby Rogers, Ark., product Cody Kirby managed a first down after the Razorback kickoff, but under pressure from Freddie Burton hurries his pass and was picked by Wendel Davis. Mallett opened his Razorback career with a completion, and guided Arkansas to a short six-play, 46-yard drive capped by a 15-yard untouched draw from Michael Smith for the touchdown. "The opening kickoff and the interception put us in a hole and we're not a sure enough or good enough football team yet to overcome that," MSU head coach Terry Allen said. "I did see some things in the second half that showed me we were better this week." Missouri State managed to get on the board when Hottleman connected on a career-long 53-yard attempt with 3:16 left in the first quarter. The Razorbacks responed before the end of the quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Broderick Green, set up by a pair of receptions from Mallett to Jarius Wright.
Petrino went to his backup quarterback, Tyler Wilson, for the next series, and the 6-3 freshman led Arkansas to its fourth touchdown of the night. Wilson's drive saw two fourth down conversions, including the two-yard TD pass to Van Stumon. "I was happy with both of the quarterbacks tonight," Petrino said. "Ryan did a very good job showing a good demeanor and leadership. He got hit a couple times and it was a good thing. He stayed in the pocket and made good decisions. I was happy with the protection, timing, the way the ball came out of his hand and of course the accuracy." Trailing 28-3, Missouri State put together its first touchdown drive of the night, aided by a fourth-down pass interference penalty in the Razorback end zone. After the flag, Jonathan Davis punched the two-yard run in for a 28-10 deficit.
Mallett returned to the game, and took his consecutive pass completions to nine before his first miss. Moving the Hogs inside the Bears' four yard line, Tejada came on with 14 second left in the half to pick up his first field goal of the season with a 20-yarder to send the teams to halftime at 31-10. "This game was everything I expected it to be," Mallett said. "It has been my lifelong dream to come out and play as a Razorback." Wright closed the first half with more receiving yards, 123, than the entire Missouri State offense as the Bears put up only 120 total yards. The Razorbacks had 290 yards in the first half, mostly through the air thanks to a 16-of-20 overall effort for 251.
Each time it appeared MSU could find life, notably three penalties that extended Bear possessions, Arkansas would deliver another crushing blow. After an interception of Kirby at the Arkansas one yard line by Tramain Thomas, the Razorbacks proceded to march 99 yards in just 94 seconds to score. A 40-yard rambling weave through the Bear secondary by Joe Adams facilitated by key downfield blocks by his fellow receivers ended the lighting drive, and put Arkansas up 38-10 early in the third.
Missouri State couldn't even win a video challenge from the Razorbacks, as a late fourth quarter punt was ruled to not touch an Arkansas player, giving the ball back the Hogs. Arkansas' offense was almost perfect, going until the final 1:43 of the game before a turnover as Wilson was picked off by Antonio Brown of MSU. The Bears could muster no further offense, closing the game with only 205 total yards. Arkansas racked up 591 as a team, adding 144 on the ground. Ronnie Wingo, Jr., led the team with 50 net yards, but Smith used his four carries to rack up 43 yards and a touchdown, a 10.8 yards per carry average.
Wright closed with 139 yards on six receptions to lead the Razorbacks. Three other Razorbacks - Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton and Greg Childs - had four catches. On the evening, Mallett finished his first start for the Razorbacks by hitting 17 of 22 for 309 yards and one touchdown. Wilson was 13 of 19 for 138 yards. By comparison, MSU's Kirby managed only 13 of 22 with two interceptions and just 205 yards.
South Carolina gets it kicked off for the SEC on Thursday night when the Gamecocks travel to North Carolina State.
Here’s Chris Low's personal checklist of the games you absolutely can’t miss this season:
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 5 (Atlanta): It’s always a blast to kick off the season with a battle of top 10 teams. Alabama used a win against then No. 9 Clemson in the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff a year ago as a springboard to a 12-0 regular season. If you like defense, make sure you have a front-row seat for this one. The Crimson Tide and Hokies boast two of the nastiest defenses in the country.
Tennessee at Florida, Sept. 19: Has there ever been a game that’s generated this much attention when one team is such a huge favorite? Thank Lane Kiffin’s mouth for that. Most of the drama figures to be in the buildup to the game, although Urban Meyer has been known to spice things up by making sure the scoreboard is still working in the final minutes of a 40-point blowout. Think he might save his timeouts?
Georgia at Arkansas, Sept. 19: The month of September may seem more like two months for the Bulldogs. Talk about diving head-first into the season. This game stacks up as a swing game one way or the other. If Georgia’s a legitimate player in the East, it’s a game the Bulldogs will win. If Arkansas is going to make a move in Year No. 2 under Bobby Petrino, it’s a game the Hogs will win -- especially at home.
Ole Miss at South Carolina, Sept. 24: The Rebels have heard all offseason how good they’re going to be. This will be their first real test. The Cockabooses will be rocking, and Williams-Brice Stadium will be swaying. The Thursday night environment will be wild in Columbia, S.C., and it will be interesting to see how Ole Miss handles everything in what should be the Rebels’ toughest road game of the season.
LSU at Georgia, Oct. 3: Do the Tigers come into this game unbeaten? There’s a good chance when you look at their first four games. The Bulldogs rolled up 52 points in winning a year ago in Tiger Stadium and returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns. The two teams combined for nearly 1,000 yards of total offense. Granted, it’s just one game, but the loser of this one puts itself in dire straits in its divisional race.
Alabama at Ole Miss, Oct. 10: There hasn’t been a more anticipated game in Oxford since a Manning was wearing an Ole Miss uniform. If the Rebels are going to make their first-ever appearance in the SEC Championship Game, the road goes through the Crimson Tide. Alabama has won five straight in the series, but the last four have been decided by four or fewer points.
Florida at LSU, Oct. 10: It’s the other half of Showdown Saturday in the SEC. The last time these two teams played in Baton Rouge, the training staffs on both sides were scrambling. Finding a harder-hitting, more physical game than LSU’s 28-24 win over Florida in 2007 would be a chore. Beating the Gators, period, this season is going to be a chore. If they’re going to stumble, this may be the game.
Florida vs. Georgia, Oct. 31 (Jacksonville): The rivalry formerly known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has taken on new life the last two years even though it doesn’t have the catchy nickname any longer. A year ago, Florida coach Urban Meyer called two timeouts in the final seconds just to rub it in, which was a direct response to the Bulldogs’ end zone dance party in 2007. What can we expect this year?
LSU at Alabama, Nov. 7: Welcome to the third edition of the Nick Saban Bowl. Saban will tell you in no uncertain terms that this game isn't about him. Some of the fine folks on the Bayou might tend to disagree. What we all can agree on is that it’s played a huge role in the national picture and/or SEC picture three of the last four years. The Crimson Tide survived in overtime last season to stay unbeaten. The Tigers rallied two years ago to remain in the national title race. There’s never any shortage of drama when these two teams meet.
Arkansas at LSU, Nov. 28: If you’re looking for heart-stopping entertainment, this is your game. The Hogs have won the last two in thrilling fashion. It took a 24-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds to play a year ago, and who can ever forget the 50-48 three-overtime classic in 2007 when the Hogs came in unranked and stunned the No. 1-ranked Tigers in Baton Rouge?
