2008 Woodie Awards
Freshmen looking to make impact
Razorback Football
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
Preparing for Western Illinois
After watching plenty of game tape, Petrino said Western Illinois likes to run the ball with their very good combination of running back Herb Donaldson and fullback Javid Milton.
"I think they are both in the national ranking for best fullback and tail back in the country, so we got to stop the run initially," Petrino said. "And then be able to pressure the quarterback when we make them throw. Those are the two things we are concentrating on."
Petrino said that tackling will be a key, and that the defense had its best effort during the weekend scrimmage.
"That's what I was so happy with Friday night," Petrino said. "It's the best we've tackled. It's the best we've ran and got a lot of people to the ball. We gang tackled the ball well."
Offensively, Petrino said that the offense has worked on handling their unique style of having two stand-up linebackers over the guards with three linebackers behind them.
"It's a different style of defense that we have not seen in a long time," Petrino said. "It is something that we need to focus in on and not make assignment errors."
Grayson starts
Sophomore Wade Grayson made the most of his time at the offensive guard position and has earned a start this weekend.
"Grayson had a good camp," Petrino said. "He has played well. He runs really well and gets out and pulls. He does things we like and he is very reliable. We feel good about the combination upfront [on the offensive line] right now."
Senior Elston Forte has made progress, but he might not be able to play this weekend, Petrino said.
"He has gotten better and has improved a lot," Petrino said. "We were hopeful he would be out here [Monday] and be able to work [with the team], but he was not. He is running full speed, but we are going to be cautious with him. I would expect for him to be out this whole week."
Freshman De'Anthony Curtis didn't take reps during the weekend scrimmage, but did practice Monday. Petrino said practicing this week at full speed would tell where he is heading into this weekend's game.
After watching plenty of game tape, Petrino said Western Illinois likes to run the ball with their very good combination of running back Herb Donaldson and fullback Javid Milton.
"I think they are both in the national ranking for best fullback and tail back in the country, so we got to stop the run initially," Petrino said. "And then be able to pressure the quarterback when we make them throw. Those are the two things we are concentrating on."
Petrino said that tackling will be a key, and that the defense had its best effort during the weekend scrimmage.
"That's what I was so happy with Friday night," Petrino said. "It's the best we've tackled. It's the best we've ran and got a lot of people to the ball. We gang tackled the ball well."
Offensively, Petrino said that the offense has worked on handling their unique style of having two stand-up linebackers over the guards with three linebackers behind them.
"It's a different style of defense that we have not seen in a long time," Petrino said. "It is something that we need to focus in on and not make assignment errors."
Grayson starts
Sophomore Wade Grayson made the most of his time at the offensive guard position and has earned a start this weekend.
"Grayson had a good camp," Petrino said. "He has played well. He runs really well and gets out and pulls. He does things we like and he is very reliable. We feel good about the combination upfront [on the offensive line] right now."
Senior Elston Forte has made progress, but he might not be able to play this weekend, Petrino said.
"He has gotten better and has improved a lot," Petrino said. "We were hopeful he would be out here [Monday] and be able to work [with the team], but he was not. He is running full speed, but we are going to be cautious with him. I would expect for him to be out this whole week."
Freshman De'Anthony Curtis didn't take reps during the weekend scrimmage, but did practice Monday. Petrino said practicing this week at full speed would tell where he is heading into this weekend's game.
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