Razorback Report: Dave Wannstedt Critiques Team, Offers Encouragement

 

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team held its second open scrimmage of the spring practice session on Saturday afternoon inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Following the scrimmage, head coach Bret Bielema shared his thoughts on the day’s work.

“We wanted to build off last week,” Bielema said. “We put in red zone and goal line this week. I think there was a little bit of give and take on both sides of the ball. I do like the way our guys continue to compete in critical downs. Its very nice to see on both offense and defense. I am happy where we are.”

Bielema also touched on the topic of having former Super Bowl and two-time national champion coach Dave Wannstedt around the program this week. Two of Wannstedt’s championships came as defensive coordinator for former Razorback Jimmy Johnson as the duo coached the Dallas Cowboys to a win in Super Bowl XXVII and the University of Miami to the national championship in 1987. Current Arkansas senior associate head coach and linebackers coach Randy Shannon was a junior linebacker on the Hurricanes’ national title team.

“Dave came in on Wednesday,” Bielema said. “He had an open key to the program. We met early on that first day and I gave him about half a dozen things I would like to have information and feedback on. He gave me that and more with some very encouraging things, but also some critical things you need to hear. Here’s a guy who has won on every level. He gave a great message to our guys this morning and has been awesome.”

Highlights of the post-scrimmage press conference (full video below):

  • Brandon Allen has separated himself as the starting quarterback
  • AJ Derby is doing an “incredible” job at tight end
  • Injury updates
  • Shuffling of Duwop Mitchell to wide receiver and his resistance to it at this point

Here is what they’re saying around the world of sports about the Razorbacks at this point in the spring practice season.

From columnist Nate Allen:

Yet while praising both Williams — 13 carries for 30 yards, much of it on the goal-line with two touchdowns — and Collins (a scrimmage-leading 47 yards on 10 carries), Bielema talked most about fourth-year junior fullback/tailback Kody Walker (6-2, 246) and redshirt freshman tailback Denzell Evans.

Walker’s stiff-arm leveled cornerback Jared Collins en route to a 14-yard touchdown run, and he stiffed another would-be tackler later during the scrimmage. Walker netted 45 yards and two touchdowns on nine totes, while Evans (6-0, 222) netted 41 carries on 11 carries.

The Associated Press reports:

“[Brandon Allen has] kind of separated himself from the time we had our last game through the time we had our first two weeks of practice,” Bielema said. “I just really felt he has to compete against the rest of the SEC and there isn’t anybody in our program right now that’s at his level. We’re really trying to stress to him and make him understand that. I want to really make him uncomfortable and continue to press him.”

ESPN.com offers a glimpse into Brandon Allen’s mind as spring continues:

“I’ve taken things I’ve learned from last season and applying it, even to the new things we’re installing,” he said. “I’m making myself more of a perfectionist, just not making many mistakes is what I’m trying to pride myself on.”

The starting job is ostensibly Allen’s to lose. Just don’t tell him that.

AJ Derby didn’t distinguish himself in limited time last season. There were plenty of opportunities for Bielema to pull the redshirt off of his two freshmen, but he didn’t for a reason. And Peavey, talented though he may be, is still far too young to be expected to grasp an offense and run with it.

Allen thinks of himself as the starter, but at the same time he’s not taking it for granted. As he said, “You can’t make mistakes in a competition.” When you do, someone is always there to take advantage.

“Everyone wants to be the top guy, but there can be only one,” he said.

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