Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Arkansas football media availability on Tuesday …

I. New Challenge
Arkansas has been tested more than usual by the defense during fall camp. There are a variety of explanations for why this has happened, including the defense retooling its coaching staff and the overall talent level continuing to improve on that side of the ball.

Let’s not forget all those yards and touchdowns lost to the NFL with the departure of Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs.

It also helps that the defense isn’t called in practices to give the offense an advantage. Safety Ross Rasner explained the differences last week and quarterback Tyler Wilson affirmed the defense is now allowed to do more than it was under the previous head coach.

“It was designed, the defensive scheme was designed to kind of prep the offense,” Wilson said. “It was competitive each and every day out here this year because the defense was scheming to beat the offense.”

II. Good Things Happen
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino likes to remind his players that the better effort they give the more likely it is good things will happen. He had two examples from a recent scrimmage to illustrate his point.

Freshman Mekale McKay had one of the more clutch plays in the scrimmage when he stripped the ball from a defensive player who had intercepted a pass. McKay also had two catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.

“He was being aggressive. He was going hard,” Petrino said. “Because of that he made that play and the next play I threw to him deep to reward him and he got a good play.”

Petrino used Brandon Mitchell as an example of how not to scrimmage. Mitchell finished with one catch for 5 yards, far less than his typical output in camp.

“It was kind of just the opposite [of McKay],” Petrino said. “That was his worst day of fall camp. He didn’t come out there with the right mindset.”

Petrino said Mitchel bounced back with a better week so far. Freshman Keon Hatcher also struggled in the srimmage after a strong camp, but has been better this week, Petrino said.

III. Pay Per View
Not making the season opener in person? Arkansas is offering pay per view options for the Jacksonville State game.

Broadcasts are scheduled to be in HD and can be purchased on cable ($34.95), Dish and DirecTV ($39.95). Arkansas is offering the broadcast on its official web site.

Speaking Out
“Chris Gragg is a great template for anybody learning to play tight end. He’s a great, great player. Just being in the meeting room with him and seeing him work out on the field, it’s great for me learning from one of the best. It’s a great opportunity that I get to play behind him.”

— Tight end Alex Voelzke on learning from senior Chris Gragg. Voelzke is a redshirt freshman who was brought into the program as a “preferred walk-on” last season.