Bret Bielema Talks the Little Rock Game, JWill & More

Featured, Football, Razorbacks | August 24, 2015 by Sporting Life Arkansas | 0 Comments

Arkansas Razorback head football coach Bret Bielema field a few questions from the media today as part of his visit to the Little Rock Touchdown Club.

Bielema’s Razorbacks will enter the 2015 football season ranked No. 18, according to the Associated Press who released its annual preseason poll Sunday.

It is the first time Arkansas has been ranked in the AP poll under head coach Bret Bielema, and first time the Razorbacks have been ranked since Sept. 4, 2012. This is the 26th appearance for Arkansas in the preseason AP poll. The Razorbacks have been ranked in the AP poll on 410 occasions in school history.

Of the 25 ranked teams, eight of them come from the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas is scheduled to play six teams ranked in the preseason poll.

Arkansas has plenty of momentum heading into the 2015 season. The Razorbacks are led by Brandon Allen, the most experienced quarterback in the SEC, and Alex Collins, a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the past two seasons. Overall, Arkansas returns 16 starters and 49 lettermen, its most returning lettermen since 2010.

The Razorbacks kick off their season on Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. when they host UTEP. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

Yesterday Bret Bielema surprised his team by revealing in a team meeting they would be sporting white cleats for the 2015 season.

“In my entire coaching career, we’ve always worn black shoes — I like the look,” Bielema said. “But willing to change and adapt, and understand no shoe makes a difference. But obviously just by [the team’s] reaction it makes a little bit of a difference to you. That’s what I love about being a coach.”

Bielema discussed Hunter Henry, the Razorback Little Rock football game and more.

Speaking of junior tight end Hunter Henry, he has been named a preseason All-American by ESPN, the outlet announced today.

Henry is one of just six Southeastern Conference players featured on the list and the only tight end on the 25-player team.

In his two seasons as a Razorback, Henry has led the SEC with 65 receptions over the two years, adding 922 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his career. He caught 37 passes for 513 yards as a sophomore and was one of only two tight ends in the conference to tally a 100-yard receiving game.

ESPN also released its preseason All-SEC team which featured Henry at tight end and offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola. A senior from San Bernardino, Calif., Tretola played 797 snaps last season and did not allow a sack. He was penalized only four times.

Hunter Henry’s Preseason Awards
– ESPN All-American (1st team)
– Athlon Sports All-American (1st team)
– Lindy’s All-American (2nd team)
– Phil Steele All-American (4th team)
– Athlon Sports All-SEC (1st team)
– All-SEC / Media (2nd team)
– Phil Steele All-SEC (3rd team)
– John Mackey Award Watch List