Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Monday’s Bobby Petrino and player press conference…

I. Protect The Quarterback
Tyler Wilson’s mobility and willingness to run figured to help take some pressure off an offensive line breaking in two new tackles in 2011. So far it seems to have only opened Wilson up to more shots from opposing defenses.

Wilson has taken several tough hits through the first three weeks of the season. Some have come behind the line of scrimmage and others on runs where he’s tried to turn a busted play into something.

Regardless of the circumstances, providing better protection to Wilson is a must going forward. That's particularly critical against a team as defensively sound as Alabama (3-0). Arkansas and the Crimson Tide kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“He’s taking too many hits right now,” running back Ronnie Wingo said. “We’ve just got to protect him, protect him more this week."

Arkansas has allowed Wilson to be sacked six times and that total doesn’t include the hits sustained when he’s been on the run, like the helmet-to-helmet hit that left him with “concussion-like” symptoms in Week 2.

Coach Bobby Petrino sees a number of areas where protection can improve. Offensive line play needs to get better, but Wilson’s decision making — when to get rid of the ball and when to run — leaves room for improvement.

“It’s everybody’s responsibility to make sure we keep the quarterback clean,” Petrino said.

II. Personnel Update
Arkansas is continuing to evaluate the health of wide receiver Jarius Wright (strained knee) and defensive end Jake Bequette (hamstring). Both missed Saturday’s 38-28 victory against Troy.

Coach Bobby Petrino said Wright “got some work in” during the team’s condition runs on Sunday. Bequette’s availability for practice Tuesday is not yet known, but Petrino said the senior has “made tremendous improvement.”

Wide receiver Greg Childs is expected to return after missing last week because of a death in his family.

Linebacker Alonzo Highsmith and cornerback Darius Winston appeared to sustain some sort of injuries against Troy, but Petrino said he thought the team “came out all right” from a health standpoint.