Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Saturday’s 195-play Arkansas football scrimmage …

I.  Breakfast: An Important Start to the Day
Joe Adams’ 13-catch, 183-yard receiving day statistically began with a 23-yard catch on the opening play of the scrimmage. His big day actually started sooner than that, teammates and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said.

Adams caught McGee’s eye at the team breakfast. He said Adams’ demeanor seemed to indicate the senior receiver was particularly dialed-in for the scrimmage

Quarterback Brandon Mitchell noticed Adams seemed extra energized during the team’s walk through prior to the scrimmage. Mitchell said Adams was more vocal than usual, often a sign that a big day was ahead.

“Joe said [to] get him the ball and he was going to make plays today,” Mitchell said. “That’s exactly what he did. He made plays.”

Adams led all receivers in yards, scored two touchdowns and averaged nearly 14.1 yards per catch. He summed up his big day in rather low-key fashion: “I am focused on making plays after the catch.”

McGee was a little more complimentary of Adams. He said Adams’ 23-yard catch to open the scrimmage was crucial in the first-team offense’s scoring drive to start the day and got the unit off to a good start.

“He’s one of those guys we have that can make everything easy on everybody. He normally has a matchup he can win,” McGee said. “I could tell when I saw him at breakfast this morning he was ready to go. He was really focused and ready to go.”

Included in the big day for Adams were touchdowns of 35 and 59 yards. He had only four receptions that covered fewer than 11 yards.

II. Mixed Reviews
Bobby Petrino the head coach was glad to see Arkansas’ defense not give up a first down on seven consecutive fourth-and-one plays during Saturday’s scrimmage. Petrino saw an aggressive defense making plays and swarming to the football.

Bobby Petrino the renowned offensive guru was a little less excited about his offense failing to covert on seven consecutive fourth-and-one plays. He saw one running back slip on the initial attempt, then witnessed the offense get “whipped" on the next six plays — all runs.

“I was happy with the defense, not happy with the offense,” Petrino predictably said.