Arkansas Holds First Spring Scrimmage
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas practiced inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday for the first time this spring, closing out the second week of spring camp.
The Razorbacks have now completed six of 15 scheduled practices leading up to the annual Red-White Spring Game on April 29.
Saturday opened with three periods of practice before the team broke into a 100-plus play scrimmage that featured first, second and third down work from short, medium and long distances, as well as high red-zone work and move-the-ball situations, including two-minute drill.
It was the team’s first live-tackling of the spring and officials were present to mimic a game-like setting as much as possible.
In an effort to limit his live work this spring, senior center Frank Ragnow did not participate. With Ragnow out, junior Zach Rogers started at center. The first-team offensive line also included sophomore Colton Jackson at left tackle, junior Hjalte Froholdt at left guard, senior Jake Raulerson at right guard and junior Brian Wallace at right tackle.
On the ground, junior Rawleigh Williams III and sophomore Devwah Whaley took the bulk of the carries with the first team, while early enrollee Maleek Williams and junior Juan Day worked with the second and third teams.
Rawleigh Williams led the unit with 187 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. His best run of the day came on first-and-10 from the 32-yard line as he went 68 yards untouched for a score. He also had a 32-yard run earlier in the day on his third carry.
Maleek Williams rushed for 89 yards on 18 attempts in his first collegiate scrimmage. The Punta Gorda, Florida, product flashed his physicality and versatility as he ripped off several 10-yard runs and picked up solid yardage after contact.
Whaley also had a solid showing, turning in 93 yards on 14 carries.
Senior quarterback Austin Allen went 15-of-21 passing for 146 yards against one interception. Allen got off to a solid start, completing three of his first four passes for 45 yards. Two of the three completions were to senior wide receiver Jared Cornelius, resulting in first-down gains of 16 and 24 yards. Cornelius finished the day with three catches for 36 yards.
Redshirt freshman Jordan Jones led all wideouts with four receptions for 106 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown grab from redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Kelley on the 11th play of the scrimmage.
Defensively, linemen McTelvin Agim and Briston Guidry were disruptive with two solo sacks apiece. Sophomore linebacker De’Jon Harris pulled down an interception after junior defensive back Santos Ramirez tipped one of Allen’s passes during third-down work. Harris and senior defensive back Josh Liddell each posted double-digit tackles on the day.
The scrimmage ended with senior defensive lineman Bijhon Jackson returning a tipped pass from Kelley 30-plus yards for a touchdown.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will enter their third week of spring ball on Tuesday.
