Football notebook - 2010 season

Razorback Football Notebook – 2010 SeasonAUGUST – SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010As the University of Arkansas football team continues preparations for the 2011 Allstate Sugar Bowl, it’s important to take note of a vital part of UA’s offensive success. The Razorbacks have opened all 12 games in 2010 with the same starters on an offensive line that has blocked for Ryan Mallett’s 3,592 passing yards and Knile Davis’ 1,183 rushing yards.UA’s consistent lineincludes: Ray Dominguez (T), AlvinBailey (G), Travis Swanson (C), WadeGrayson (G) and DeMarcus Love (T).

ESPN.com’sChris Low examined the relationship between offensive line continuity and success in the Southeastern Conference this season. He mentions the Razorbacks here.

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010With the University of Arkansas’ football team continuing its postseason preparations, honors and accolades have been handed out for the completion of the 2010 regular season. On Rivals.com’s Freshman All-America team, the Razorbacks are represented well. Offensive linemen Alvin Bailey (OG) and Travis Swanson (C) are listed in the website’s first team offensive unit.

Bailey and Swanson have been pivotal members of an Arkansas offensive line that paved the way for the first season in school history with a 3,000-yard passer (Ryan Mallett)and a 1,000-yard rusher (Knile Davis). UA leads the SEC and ranks third in the NCAA in passing offense, averaging 338.4 yards per game. The Razorbacks are 10th in the NCAA in total offense withan average of489.3 yards-per-game.

Click here to view the entire Rivals.com Freshman All-America squad.

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010The Razorbacks (10-2, 6-2, SEC)are heading to the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in the school’s first BCS appearance.Anticipation is high for the matchup against Ohio State, which finished its season with an 11-1 record. A preview of the Razorback-Buckeye matchup is available on CBSsports.com here.

Have you checked ESPN.com today? Standout quarterback Ryan Mallett was featured on the front of the website’s college football section. A screenshot of the page isbelow.ESPN.com’s Chris Low blogged about the Razorbacks’ outstanding regular season here.

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010Arkansas football fans should check out the latest video posted by ESPN.com’s SEC blogger, Chris Low. He highlights four players he has deemed as "Surprise Performers". His top pick at the end of the video will certainly be of no surprise to Razorback fans. Click here.

Have you pre-ordered your bowl tickets? Click here for more information.

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010As the Arkansas football team awaits the announcement of its bowl destination, Razorback fans are encouraged to navigate to ESPN.com to vote for WR Cobi Hamilton. The Texarkana, Texas, native is a nominee for the "Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week". Hamilton turned in two of the biggest plays ofArkansas’ season with touchdown catches of 80 and 85 yards against LSU this past weekend. Hamilton finished with 3 catches for 164 yards and the two scores. Click here to vote.

Arkansas figures well into FoxSports.com’s latest college football "power rankings". Click here to read more.

Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010In this Thanksgiving edition of the Razorback Football Notebook, Arkansas fans are encouraged to take in a portion of the Internet coverage the UA-LSU matchup is receiving. Saturday, No. 12 Arkansas faces sixth-ranked LSU inside War Memorial Stadium, where the Razorbacks have won seven straight.

Fans can check outa preview of Saturday’s game from CBSsports.com here.

On the other side of the matchup, Jim Kleinpeter of theThe Times Picayuneheard from LSU head coach Les Miles on the "Battle for the Golden Boot". Miles said: "It’s a game both teams look forward to on theback end of the season. Year in, year out it creates an environment where great plays and big plays are made."Read more here.

From LSU’s student newspaper, The Daily Reveille, Razorback and Louisiana native Jerico Nelson received mention. Nelson was a high school teammate of LSU QB Jordan Jefferson. Click here for more.

ESPN.com‘s Chris Low gave his commentary on this weekend’s game here.

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010As the No. 12 Razorbacks prepare to take on sixth-ranked LSU inside War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark., the UA squad has received mention around the Internet as the national buzz builds for the battle for the Golden Boot. Arkansas brings a 9-2 (5-2, SEC) record into the matchup against LSU (10-1, 6-1, SEC).

ESPN.com’s Chris Low lists QB Ryan Mallett as one of his Southeastern Conference players to watch for the Heisman Trophy. Read more here. Also on that website, Arkansas figures into the weekly "Power Rankings", click here for more.

Coverage of the UA-LSU game also comes in from The Shreveport Times, click here to read the entire article.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010Razorback tight end D.J. Williams has had an excellent week. The senior from Little Rock, Ark., was named the Disney Spirit Award winner, which is presented to college football’s most inspirational figure by Disney Sports. Read more about Williams’ Disney honor here.Williams was named a Mackey Award semifinalist and was also honored by the organization as its Tight End of the Week. Read about those honors here and here.

Voting Continues for MallettDaily voting on the Davey O’Brien Award’s fan ballot, whichcomprises five percent of the final overall tally,is open until Sunday at noon. Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett has covered significant ground in the contest but still needs continued Razorback fan support.Click over to voteobrien.org.The three finalists for this year’s O’Brien Award will be announced Monday. Mallett, a native of Texarkana, Ark., is one of theNCAA’s biggest deep threats when throwing the football. Since 2009, his 56 completions of 30+ yards lead the nation.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett was recently recognized on ESPN for his efforts against UTEP this past weekend. Mallett was responsible for six touchdowns in the 58-21 victory, throwing forfive touchdown passes and running in another. His offensive showcase was named the "Impact Performance of the Week". Mallett has thrown for 2,967 yards and24 touchdown so far in 2010. And as a reminder to Razorback fans, please continue to vote daily for Mallett at voteobrien.org. Voting closes at noon on Sunday.

Monday, Nov. 15, 2010The University of Arkansas football team, ranked 13th in the latest AP poll,is 8-2 (4-2, SEC) heading into this weekend’s trip to No. 22 Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3, SEC). UA is coming off a 58-21 victory against UTEP, click here to read the recap.

Williams HonoredRazorback TE D.J. Williams has received the Disney Spirit Award, given by Disney Sports, for being college football’s most inspirational player. Williams is the 15th recipient of the honor, read more here.

It was also announced that Williams is a semifinalist for the 2010 John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate tight end. Click here for more.

Vote, Vote, VoteRemember to keep voting for Ryan Mallett. Cast your ballot for the O’BrienAward online here.The voting, which counts as five percent of the overall total,closesSunday at noon. The three finalists will be announcedNov. 22.Mallett has broken or tied 37 different school or stadium records in his Razorback career, including being responsible for six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing)last Saturday against UTEP. Mallett’s effort ties Madre Hill (vs. South Carolina, 1995) for the school record.

Mallett received mention from ESPN.com blogger Chris Low in his weekly installment of "SEC Helmet Stickers". Click here to read more.

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010As the Arkansas football team takes to the field for Senior Night, it will look to continue its outstanding offensive production inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks are averaging 37.8 points and 489.8 yards of total offense per game in Fayetteville this season and have given up just eight total touchdowns in four games.

Calling all Razorback fansRyan Mallettneeds your votes. Cast your ballot for the O’BrienAward online here.The voting, which counts as five percent of the overall total,closes Nov. 21 at noon. The three finalists will be announcedNov. 22.Mallett broke the UA record for passing yards in a game for the second time in his career with a 409-yard showing in the Razorbacks’ 49-14 win over Vanderbilt on Oct. 30. The total is the most by a Southeastern Conference player this season and breaks Mallett’s previous record of 408 he put up vs. Georgia on Sept. 19, 2009. Mallett leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the NCAA with 305.8 passing yards per game.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010The Razorbacks are continuing to practice this week as they prepare to face UTEP in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday. The game is set to kick off at 6 p.m. on ESPNU and tickets are still available. Click here.

Remember NovemberUA is off to its best start under head coach Bobby Petrino with a 7-2 (4-2, SEC) record. The mark is Arkansas’ best after nine games since 2006. Coach Petrino will look to continue the Razorbacks’ three-game winning streak through the month of November. His .750 career winning percentage in November is tied for second-highest among current Southeastern Conference coaches with at least one full year as a head coach.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010Razorback QB Ryan Mallett was nameda semifinalist for the Maxwell Award on Monday. The honor is presented to the top collegiate player of the year. The winner of the 74th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPNU/Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9.Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 22, and a second round of voting will take place at that time. The formal presentation will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner on Friday, March 4, 2011 at the Harrah’s Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, N.J. Mallett is also a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

Vote MallettRyan Mallettneeds your votes. Cast your ballot for the O’BrienAward online here.The voting, which counts as five percent of the overall total,closes Nov. 21 at noon. The three finalists will be announcedNov. 22.Mallett has thrown for 2,752 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2010. It is the ninth 2,000-yard passing season in Arkansas history and third under Coach Petrino. Mallettis second on Arkansas’ all-timecareer passing yards list, now totaling 6,376career passing yards.

ESPN.com blogger Chris Low discusses Arkansas’ improved defense in 2010. Check that video here.

Monday, Nov. 8, 2010The Arkansas football teamis coming off a 41-20 victory at South Carolina as it prepares to face UTEP at homeSaturday at 6 p.m.inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks were paced by the efforts of running back Knile Davis, who scored three rushing touchdowns and gained 110 yards against the Gamecocks. Davis was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. Read more about it here.

ESPN.com‘s Chris Low also took notice of Davis’ rushing prowess. He awarded the Razorback RB a "helmet sticker". Click here to read more.

The UA-UTEP game will be the final game in Fayetteville this season. The Razorbacks will be celebrating Senior Night andwill honor the 21 players making their final on-campus appearance. Click here to for tickets.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010When the Arkansas football team has reached its opponent’s 20-yard line, scoring is nearly inevitable.The Razorbacks are 25-of-27 in the Critical Zone (inside the 20-yard line) so far this season, which leads the Southeastern Conference and is tied for fifth in the NCAA. UA’s 74.1 touchdown percentage in the Critical Zone also leads the SEC. Under Coach Petrino, Arkansas has been flawless in the Critical Zone in 22 of 33 games.

Safety FirstOnly five footballteams in the FBS have recorded two safeties this season; one of which being the Razorbacks. Arkansashas notched two safeties in 2010, with UA’s coming against Tennessee Tech and Vanderbilt.

Razorback fans looking for a preview of the upcoming UA-SC matchup canclick here for a breakdown in the Kansas City Star.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010Arkansas and South Carolina have met every year since each joined the Southeastern Conference in 1992. The Razorbacks hold an 11-7 edge in the series and have won three of the last four meetings.

Vote MallettRyan Mallett, whohas been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award,needs your votes. Cast your ballot for the O’BrienAward online here.The voting, which counts as five percent of the overall total,closes Nov. 21 at noon. The three finalists will be announcedNov. 22.Mallett has thrown for 2,449 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2010. It is the ninth 2,000-yard passing season in Arkansas history and third under Coach Petrino. Mallettmoved into second on Arkansas’ all-timecareer passing yards list, now totaling 6,073career passing yards.

Friday, Oct. 29, 2010The last day of the week before Arkansas’ Homecoming game vs. Vanderbilt has arrived. Fans are reminded to check over this article on ArkansasRazorbacks.com concerning the Homecoming game, including notes on tailgating policies and travel.

For Razorback fans looking for a preview of Saturday’s Razorback-Commodore game, click here to read the AP’s take on the matchup on FoxSports.com.

Blast from the pastThe Razorbacks opened their history in Homecoming games with a bang, shutting out SMU 9-0 on Nov. 18, 1922.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010Arkansas has thrown for 300 or more yards in 15 of 32 games under head coach Bobby Petrino. Prior to his arrival, Arkansas had thrown for 300 or more yards 16 times in school history. UA will have the opportunity for the 16th time under Coach Petrino on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Vanderbilt for Homecoming. The game will air on FSN.

Vote MallettRyan Mallett, who earlier this week was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award,needs your votes. Cast your ballot for the O’BrienAward online here.The voting, which counts as five percent of the overall total,closes atnoon, Nov. 21. The three finalists will be announcedNov. 22.Mallett has thrown for 2,040 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010. It is the ninth 2,000-yard passing season in Arkansas history and third under Coach Petrino. Mallett is the fifth quarterback in UA history to throw for 5,000 yards in his career, having totaled 5,664 so far.

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010No. 19 Arkansas continues preparations for its Homecoming game this weekend vs. Vanderbilt. Head coach Bobby Petrino is 2-0 in Homecoming gamesthus far in his UA career. The mark includes last season’s 63-27 victory over Eastern Michigan and the 2008 win over then-19th-ranked Tulsa, 30-23.

The Razorbacks will look to continue their solid play when ranked in the top 20. UA is 218-95-5 (.693) when ranked in the top 20 and 4-1 at No. 19.

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010The Arkansas football team (5-2, 2-2 SEC)is preparing this week for its annual Homecoming game, this year facing Vanderbilt (2-5, 1-3 SEC) on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will air on FSN. The Razorbacks hold a 5-2 advantage over the Commodores in the series.

This weekend’s game will be the 89th Homecoming game in school history. UA is 52-34-4 (.614) in the previous 88 Homecoming games. Arkansas has won its last four Homecoming games, including a 63-27 victory over Eastern Michigan last season.

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010The week of drills leading up to Saturday’s 11:21 a.m. game vs. Ole Miss are nearly complete. The game is set to air on the SEC Network. Head coach Bobby Petrino has UA off to a 4-2 record in 2010. Ole Miss is 3-3 (1-2, SEC) this season. Arkansas has the advantage in the all-time series against the Rebels with a 30-25-1 record. In the very first game between UA and UM on Oct. 10, 1908, Arkansas was the winner with a resounding 33-0 victory in Fayetteville. UA has stayed consistent against the Rebels in Fayetteville with an 8-2 record all-time.

For those Arkansas fans that know their program history, 1908 was the first season renowned head coach Hugo Bezdek led the UA football team. The following season, upon the team’s return from a 16-0 win over LSU in Memphis, Tenn., Bezdek told students his team had played "like a band of razorback hogs." The students liked the nickname Bezdek had bestowed upon their football team and officially adopted it prior to the 1910 season.

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010No. 21 Arkansas kicks off at 11:21 a.m. Saturday vs. Ole Miss. For the Razorbacks, being ranked in the top 25spells success. UA is 226-105-5 all-time as a top 25 team. For a preview of the UA-UM matchup this weekend, read the AP‘s take on the game here at CBSsports.com.

Part of that aforementioned success comes from scoring from inside the Critical Zone (inside the 20-yard line). Arkansas is 17-of-19 (.895) inside the Critical Zone in 2010, ranking tied for second in the Southeastern Conference and tied for 18th in the NCAA. Head coach Bobby Petrino has coached the Razorbacks to flawless efforts in the Critical Zone in 20 of 31 games at UA.

Razorback fans are reminded to adhere to tailgating policies for home football games, including refraining from the setup of tailgating tents, awnings and similar equipment until Friday at 5 p.m. For more information, click here. In addition, fans are asked to be on the lookout for counterfeit tickets to Arkansas football games. Click here for more.

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010The Razorbacks have had a 300-yard passer in a school-record six straight games. UA’s next chance for a 300-yard passer will beSaturday when it plays host to Ole Miss at 11:21 a.m. inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Vote MallettRyan Mallett needs your votes. Cast your ballotfor theDavey O’Brien National Quarterback Award online here. The fan vote counts as 5 percentduring each round of voting, and it is combined with the results from the award’sselection committee. The 15 semifinalists will be announced Monday. Mallett has thrown for 1,844 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010.

Monday, Oct. 18, 2010Arkansas returns home Saturday to face Ole Miss at 11:21 a.m. on the SEC Network. The Razorbacks, ranked 21st in the latest AP poll,are 226-105-5 (.680) all-time when ranked in the top 25. UA holds a 30-25-1 series advantage over the Rebels, including an 8-2 mark in Fayetteville.

Arkansas TE D.J. Williams has been named to the 2010 John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List. The honor is given annually to the best collegiate tight end. Williams has made 26 receptions for 279 yardsin 2010.

The watch list is an update from the preseason watch list to draw attention to tight ends in contention for the annual award based on their performance in the first half of the season. Semifinalists will be announced Nov. 15, 2010 and the announcement of the 2010 Mackey finalists on Nov. 22. The award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2010 John Mackey winner will be announced on Dec. 9. For more information, please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org.

The Razorback offense has continued its streak of strong performances; UA has had a 300-yard passer in a school-record six straight games.

Arkansas is off to its best start under Coach Bobby Petrino and is 4-2 for the first time since 2006.

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010Full workouts will conclude later today as the 12th-ranked Arkansas football team puts the finishing touches on its preparations to visit No. 7 Auburn. Likewise, the Tigers have spent the week drilling to prepare to face Razorback signal caller Ryan Mallett. Andy Bitter with the Ledger-Enquirer previewed the matchup from the Auburn side. Tiger head coach Gene Chizik had this to say on Mallett: "He’s seen it all, he has it all, he doesn’t get rattled, he stays in there, he has a lot of poise, and he’s as good as advertised." Click here to read the article in its entirety.

The Associated Press also previewed this weekend’s top 15 matchup with an eye on Arkansas’ stout defense. Click here to read more. Fans can also read the breakdown by CBSsports.com here.

Safety Tramain Thomas received three different honors for his efforts in UA’s win over Texas A&M. Thomas was named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week, FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. ArkansasSports360.com‘s Chris Bahn caught up with Thomas after practice. Click here.

On ESPN.com, SEC blogger Chris Low has a slew of recent coverage on the Arkansas-Auburn game. Check out his bloghere.

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010The 12th-ranked Razorback football tean continues practice this week as Saturday’s top 15 matchup at No. 7 Auburn draws closer. Arkansas’ second SEC road game of the season will be broadcast on CBS at 2:30 p.m.

Ryan Mallett received mention in SI.com’s breakdown of the top pro quarterback prospects. Click here.

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010The Auburn game week is in full swing. No. 12 Arkansas travels to meet the seventh-ranked Tigers on Saturday, with the game airing on CBS at 2:30 p.m. ESPN.com’s Chris Low posted a "midseason review" of Arkansas; check that out here. He says: "The Hogs have done what everybody said they had to do to win a championship, and that’s improve defensively."

The Razorbacks are focused on preparing for their return to SEC play. Local writer Robbie Neiswanger with Arkansas Newswrote about whatcornerback Ramon Broadway and head coach Bobby Petrino discussed here.

After Arkansas’ 24-17 win over Texas A&M this past weekend, safety Tramain Thomas has earned recognition for his efforts, which included seven tackles (.5 TFL), one interception and one fumble recovery. The Winnie, Texas, native has been named FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Check out those respective stories on ArkansasRazorback.com here and here.

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010The Arkansas-Texas A&M game is just around the corner. Have you ordered tickets yet? Call the Arkansas ticket office at 800-982-HOGS before the end of business Thursdayand orders can be made on ArkansasRazorbacks.com until midnight. For information on the events and activities surrounding the 2010 Southwest Classic, click here.

UA’s Tenarius Wright received mention by Robbie Neiswanger in the Arkansas News. Wright had three tackles (2 TFL), two forced fumbles and one sack in his outing vs. Texas A&M last season. The Razorback defensive lineman hopes to make more big plays this weekend; click here to read more.

Need to preview the Razorback-Aggie matchup? Look no further than here with the Kansas City Star.TheAssociated Press outlined Arkansas’ offense in itsgame preview here.

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010The Razorbacks continue practice this week in preparation for Saturday’s renewal of the Southwest Classic vs. Texas A&M. The second edition of the game will see UA’s impressive offense take the field once again. The unit balances standout QB Ryan Mallett and a stable of able contributors at running back that includes Knile Davis, Broderick Green and Ronnie Wingo Jr. The Arkansas offense is often a topic in the media. Matt Jones ofTheSlopHouse analyzed the Razorbacks’ offense here.

Within the RB group, one Razorback is returning to his home state this weekend. Knile Davis, a native of Missouri City, Texas,was featured by Arkansas News writer Robbie Neiswanger here.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010Arkansas fans are certainlyhappy it’s game week again. Razorback fans unable to make the trip to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will be glad to know that the UA-TAMU matchup will kick off on ABC at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. For those interested in making the trip to the Southwest Classic, tickets are still available and can be purchased online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com or by calling 800-982-HOGS before the end of business Thursday. Online sales will remain open until midnight.

ESPN.com’s Chris Low posted a new set of his Southeastern Conference "Power Rankings", placing the Razorbacks in his No. 3 spot. Low examined Arkansas’ prospects for the remainder of the 2010 season, stating: "The Hogs are going to light up a few more scoreboards along the way. Their passing attack is that good." Read the full post here.

Speaking of "Power Rankings", FoxSports.com has a set of its own, rating Arkansas seventh in the NCAA. Click here.

Monday, Oct. 4, 2010The Arkansas football team is back into a game week, preparing to face Texas A&M on Saturdayinside Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Razorbacks are tops in the conference in passing offense (365.0) and sacks per game (3.75).Robbie Neiswanger with the Arkansas News outlined the defensive line’s improvement during the 2010 season here. He writes: "…one of Arkansas’ biggest strengths – and a big reason for the success – has been its ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks."

In the latest AP poll, Arkansas is ranked 11th. The Razorbacks are 18-4 all-time when ranked 11th; check out the full poll here.

Are you following the Razorbacks on Twitter? Catch all the action here.

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010The Arkansas football team practiced hard in its off week, working on technique and execution. The Razorbacks have been performing at a high level in 2010, working with precision in several facets of the game.

UA standout QB Ryan Mallett is the top passer in the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA, throwing for 359.5 yards per game. Arkansas freshman kicker Zach Hocker is a perfect 4-of-4 on field goal attempts this season. Hocker has twice made a long of 48 yards (at Georgia, vs. Alabama). The Razorbacks currently lead the SEC in sacks with 15.0 through four games (3.75 per game).

Overall, the Razorbacks rank in the top four of the SEC in eight categories: passing offense(1st), sacks (1st), total offense (2nd), passing defense (2nd), total defense (2nd), punt returns (2nd), tackles for a loss (3rd) andscoring defense (4th). Arkansas next faces Texas A&M of the Big 12 Conference Oct. 9 inside Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. onABC.

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010The Razorbacks currently stand at 3-1 (1-1, SEC) in head coach Bobby Petrino’s third season leading UA. Arkansas heads into its bye week off to its best start under Coach Petrino. The absence of college football for Arkansas fans to enjoy this weekend doesn’t detract from the solid performances the Razorbacks have put forth on the gridiron already this season.

Razorback wide receivers Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright have each recorded 100-yard receiving outings in 2010. Adams has two; 138 yards and two touchdowns vs. Tennessee Tech and 130 yards and one touchdown at Georgia. Adams currently ranks second in the Southeastern Conference and 15th in the country with 97.3 receiving yards per game.

D.J. Williams is the NCAA’s active careerleader in receptions and yards by a tightend. Williams has 117 catchesfor1,464 yards as a Razorback.

Arkansas is the only school in the SEC with multiple players in the top 10 for receptions per game (Childs, 2nd, 5.50; Adams, 4th, 4.75; Williams, 4th, 4.75), UA is the only school with three players in the top 10 in receiving yards per game (Adams, 2nd, 97.3; Childs, 5th, 74.5; Williams 9th, 59.0).

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010Anxious college football fans around Arkansas and the country wait for 2:30 p.m., Saturday. The Razorbacks, ranked 10th in the latest AP poll, have traditionally fared well in the spotlight. UA is 98-35-1 (.735) all-time when ranked in the top 10.

Perfection is something every team strives for and Arkansas is accomplishing that in the Critical Zone (inside the 20-yard line). The Razorbacks are a pristine10-of-10 on scoring opportunities inthe Critical Zone. A point of emphasis for head coach Bobby Petrino, the Arkansas football team has been flawless in the CriticalZone in 19 games under Coach Petrino, and 14 of the last 16.

USA Today writer Kelly Whiteside has updated her coverage ofArkansas and standout QB RyanMallett. Click here to read the article.

If you’re looking for a breakdown of the Arkansas-Alabama matchup, look no further than CBSsports.com by clicking here. While you’re on the CBSsports.com website, take a chance to read writer Dennis Dodd’s piece on this weekend’s game. Dodd says: "The Hogs are doing their part with their highest ranking since 2006, a brilliant offensive mind (Bobby Petrino) armed with a bunch of playmakers, including what might be the nation’s best quarterback." Read the entire article here.

And for Razorback fan viewing pleasure, Mallett is featured on the front of CBSsports.com:

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010The excitement is building among the Razorback fan base for this weekend’s Arkansas-Alabama matchup. The Arkansas football team has been building something as well- momentum. The Razorbacks have won eight of their last nine games dating back to last season. Only Alabama and Florida within the Southeastern Conference can make the same claim.

Have you seen the front of ESPN.com today? Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is featured in the website’s coverage of Saturday’s game. If you miss it, click here for a screenshot.

Local and national coverage of the upcoming Razorback-Crimson Tide contest is extraordinary. Read what the Tuscaloosa News has on the game here; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has coverage here. Kalani Simpson of FoxSports.com chimed in about the top 10 matchup here. He is as excited as any; Simpson asks this about Ryan Mallett: "Have you seen this kid play? Did you see what the Razorbacks did last week?"

Arkansas fans are reminded that CBS College Sports Network’s SEC Tailgate show will broadcast adjacent to "The Trough" prior to kickoff on Saturday from 1-2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to show their Razorback support in the surrounding area, which will include activities and fun.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010The last time two top 10 teams met in Fayetteville, Ark., was in 1979. That will change Saturday when No. 10 Arkansas takes on top-ranked Alabama at 2:30 p.m. The game will be played in front of an anxious crowd at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and will air nationally on CBS. The anticipation is rampant among UA students as well; they are staked out at the stadium’s entrance (here).

Razorback QB Ryan Mallett continues to be mentioned in connection with many of college football postseason awards. The Texarkana, Ark., native has found the endzone often, havingthrown for nine touchdowns so far in 2010. CBSsports.com has Mallett figured into its Heisman Trophy watch; check that out here. The Baltimore Sun issued its own watchlist for the award, which can be found here.

The Arkansas-Alabama matchup received attention todayfrom writer Kelly Whiteside in USA Today, check out the article here.

Head football coach Bobby Petrino will appear on CBS College Sports Network’s The Tony Barnhart Show this upcoming week, where he discusses the upcoming matchup between Arkansas and Alabama. The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. CST. For more information on the show, click here.

Monday, Sept. 20, 2010Arkansas is 3-0 for the first time since 2003 with the Razorbacks’ exciting 31-24 victory at Georgia. Ryan Mallett came up big late for UA, connecting on three straight passes to close out the game, including a 40-yard toss to teammate Greg Childs for the game-winning score. Need to see it again? Head over to ESPN.com for its highlight clip here. Read ArkansasRazorbacks.com’s coverage of the win here.

Mallett has been recognized for his efforts in the UA win over Georgia, earning national offensive player of the week honors from The Walter Camp Foundation (click here) and Rivals.com (click here). Read here about Mallett earning Southeastern Conference offensive player of the week here.

ESPN.com has updated its ongoing coverage of the race for the Heisman Trophy. UA’s Mallett continues to impress, having thrown for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns so far in 2010; read more here.

Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010The weekend is almost here, meaning college football is set for another round of play. The Razorbacks (2-0)enter into Southeastern Conference action, hitting the road to take on Georgia. The Bulldogs have likely prepared all week for their shot to matchup against UA’s highly-touted offense, led by junior QB Ryan Mallett. Seth Emerson with the Ledger-Enquirer met with UGA’s defensive players, discussing Arkansas’ scoring-potential; Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin said: "We know what Ryan Mallett can do, and he has a great arm. He’s accurate". Read the whole article here.

The media have caught on to the extraordinary play of Arkansas’ defense in its first two games of the season. UA’s defenders rank first in the SEC in total defense (187.5, 4th in NCAA)and passing defense (90.0, 5th in NCAA). Chris Bahn with ArkansasSports360.com wrote of the Razorbacks’ defense here. Arkansas News writer Robbie Neiswanger added this on UA’s defenders.

In case you missed it, check out CBSSports.com for its video feature on Razorback signal caller Ryan Mallett. Click here.

Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010Anticipation is constantly building this week for Arkansas’ Southeastern Conference opener vs. Georgia. The Razorbacks’ first football game outside the state of Arkansas is set for 11 a.m. (CST) on Saturday in Athens, Ga. The game is being broadcast on ESPN.

Media around the country are also growing anxious as many are weighing in their opinions for college football’s postseason awards. UA’s Ryan Mallett figures into many discussions when the topic is on solid play at quarterback. Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press mentioned Mallett in his Heisman Trophy discussion here.

Razorback fans have seen an invigorated defensive unit take the field for UA’s first two victories.ESPN.com’s ChrisLow noticed, as well. The SEC blogger caught up withArkansasdefendersJake Bequette and Ramon Broadway for his latest entry. Check it out here.

Need some Malletthighlights? SI.com has them. Check out the website’s spotlight on the Texarkana, Ark., native here.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010The Georgia game week is in full-swing, with the Razorbacks hard at work on the practice field to prepare for their Southeastern Conference opener. UA holds a 2-0 record heading into the matchup with the 1-1 Bulldogs. The pristine mark for Arkansas is partially attributed to the Razorbacks’ stellar passing game, according to head coach Bobby Petrino. Read more about it from the Associated Press on SI.com here.

The aforementioned UA passing attack is led by heralded QB Ryan Mallett, as Arkansas fans know. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution caught up with Mallett, who, speakingofthe confidence he has at his position,said: "You can’t be looking down. You have to be the guy to step up and say, ‘This is how we’re going to do things.’ I’ve never lacked for confidence." Read the entire article here. More UA vs. UGA coverage is up from Chattanooga Times FreePresswriter David Paschallhere.

Pundits around the nation continue to build the hype around many of the postseason awards in college football. ESPN.com’s Chris Low listed his SECfavorites for the Heisman Trophy here. Razorback fans will be glad to know he ranks a certain quarterback as his No. 1.

And if Arkansas fans are looking to voice their own opinion, a "Heisman fanpoll" is on CBSSports.com here.

Tonight (9/14), CBS College Sports will be showing a feature they shot on QB Ryan Mallett during its Inside College Football programat 9 p.m. CST. Check it out, or UA fans will be able to see it again Sept. 25 during CBS’s SEC Tailgate Show (between 1-2 p.m. CST).

Monday, Sept. 13, 2010The Razorbacks are 2-0 with their latest win over ULM in Little Rock, Ark., 31-7. UA’s Ryan Mallett highlighted the night, recording his third-career 400-yard performance by connecting on 28-of-43 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns. Mallett also scored on a sneak from the one-yard line to bring his total to four scores. The Heisman Trophy race is already a heated discussion around the nation. On SI.com, Mallett figures into Corey McCartney’s early predictions here.

Did you miss the action Saturday in War Memorial? Check out ArkansasRazorback.com’s UA-ULM game recap here. RazorVision has video here.

Further local coverage of the 31-7 Razorback victory can be found here from Robbie Neiswanger at Arkansas News, here from Mark Buffalo and at ESPN.com with SEC blogger Chris Low here. Low took notice of Razorback wide receiver Greg Childs’ outstanding night vs. ULM, where the junior hauled in 12 catches (a career-high and tied forthird-best mark in UA history) for 146 yards (a career high)and two scores (tying a personal best). QB Mallett adds this on Childs: ""I don’t think anyone in the country can cover Greg Childs one-on-one."

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Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010While there has certainly been an abundance of rain this week in Fayetteville, Ark., the Razorbacks will be looking to execute a similar downpour of offensive points against ULM, Saturday at 6 p.m. in Little Rock, Ark. UA takes on ULM inside War Memorial Stadium, with senior TE D.J. Williams looking to figure into the action. ESPN.com writer Chris Low posted about Williams increasing his speed in the offseason; check it out here.

Low also posted his predictions for this coming weekend here. And if that wasn’t enough, the SEC blogger made good remarks on the Arkansas passing game, especially wide receiver Joe Adams here. Says Low: "The thing that makes Adams such a tough cover for defenses is that he’s electric after the catch."

The Razorbacks, currently ranked 14th in the AP poll, appeared in SI.com writer Andy Staples’ power rankings here.

For a view from the other side, Monroe, La., newspaper The News Star has previewed the UA-ULM contest.Written byTabby Soignier, ULM head coach Todd Berryhad good things to say aboutRazorback QB Ryan Mallett: "He’s a very, very unique talent. He’s confident in his arm. There are not many guys that are 6-6. He’s got a tremendous comfort level right now in terms of what he’s doing out there offensively."Click here for the full article.

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010Arkansas takes on ULM in Little Rock, Ark.this weekend, with UA bringing a six-game winning streak inside War Memorial Stadium into the matchup. The Razorbacks hold a 144-52-2 all-time record at their Central Arkansas location. ESPN.com has a preview for the game here. Click here for a preview from FoxSports.com.

UA QB Ryan Mallett has been receiving plenty of attention from defenses opposing the highly-touted Razorback offense. The Texarkana, Ark., native is being closely watched from around the nation, as well. Mallett’s name surfaces when the talk is about postseason awards for the 2010 college football season. Check out Heisman Trophy coverage from CBSSports.com and SI.com writer Corey McCartney here.

Razorback fans, Mallett needs your help. He currently ranks eighth in The O’Brien Awards online fan voting at VoteOBrien.org. Fans may vote once a day on the online ballott. The fan vote counts as five percentduring each round of voting, and it is combined with the results from the O’Brien Selection Committee. Log in, registerand vote!

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010Another game week is off and rolling with Arkansas making preparations for ULM for Saturday in Little Rock, Ark. The game will be played at historic War Memorial Stadium, which, as Razorback fans know, serves as a home away from home for UA twice a year. According to ESPN.com‘s Chris Low, the Razorback squad taking to AT&T Field inside War Memorial Stadium ranks fourth in his Southeastern Conference power rankings. Says Low: "Everybody knows these Hogs can score with anybody." Click here.

If the buzz around the nation appears high, consider the attention Arkansas is getting from area media. Local reporter Nate Allen has the dish on the Razorback receivers here, and Arkansas News writer Robbie Neiswanger adds this on safety-turned-linebacker Anthony Leon.

Monday, Sept. 6, 2010The last time the Razorback Football Notebook was updated, Arkansas fans were anxiously awaiting an explosive start to the 2010 football season. The season opener has come and gone, with the Razorbacks standing on top of the heap 44-3 winners over visiting Tennessee Tech last Friday in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Check out ArkansasRazorbacks.com’s story on the victory here.

If you would like to read even more about the UA win from this past weekend, click here to visit AthlonSports.com or click here for the coverage on ESPN.com. While you’re on the ESPN.com website, you can find SEC blogger Chris Low’s comments on the victory here.

Another week means another game for Arkansas as the Razorbacks look ahead to meeting ULM inside War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark. You can download the notes release (PDF)for the game here.

Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010Razorback fans cannot wait for this Saturday, and neither can the football squad, themselves. Anticipation is high for a number of reasons, including the exciting play of junior quarterback Ryan Mallett. The 6-6 signal caller from Texarkana, Ark., was featured on the Orlando Sentinel’s website in a preview of Heisman Trophy contenders here. WriterMatt Murschel says: "The combination of physical skills and explosive offensive system has everyone pointing to this being Mallet’s year."

Also of note, in a look at some of the Southeastern Conference’s standout former walk-on football players, ESPN.com’s Chris Low made sure to list Arkansas’ Seth Armbrust. Razorback fans certainly recall his two punt blocks from the 2009 season, including the one he made late in the third quarter of UA’s win in the 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. See the full list here.

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010The dog days of August are over, and the opening kickoff of the new Razorback football season is nearly here. UA begins its 2010 campaign at home in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium vs. Tennessee Tech, Saturday at 6 p.m.

Have you checked out SI.com today? Here is a good reason why:

UA’s Ryan Mallett is on the front page of SI.com today and is in the website’s Heisman Trophy preseason preview. Says SI.com’s Corey McCartney: "There may not be a better quarterback in the country…". Click the above photo to see the website’s front page, and click here for the article.

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010Arkansas fans can rest easy; game day is getting closer. The Razorback football is certainly looking ready behind the leadership of standout quarterback Ryan Mallett. The Texarkana, Ark., native is mentioned in FoxSports.com’s Petros Papadakis’ latest breakdown of the preseason hype for the Heisman Trophy. In his first season in the league,Mallett led the Southeastern Conference in touchdown passes (30), passing yards per game (278.8) and total offense per game (276.5). Check out the video here.

Always a reliable targetfor the UA offense, tight end D.J. Williams received recognition on SI.com‘s Preseason All-American team. Click here for the full squad.

Earlier today, UA’s Mallett appeared on ESPN’s First Take, figuring into the show’s discussion of postseason college football awards. Mallett wasquick to redirect focus to the Razorbacks’ overall team efforts this season: "…my worries are about getting my team to Atlanta right now. Just to be mentioned with those other guys is a pretty big honor for me." ArkansasSports360.com has additional coverage here.

Monday, Aug. 30, 2010It’s game week. With preseason camp officially concluded for the Arkansas football team, the squad now turns its focus to the first visitor to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Tennessee Tech. The UA vs. TTU contest is set to begin at 6 p.m., Saturday. The game is on pay-per-view (info here), but tickets are still available (info here).

FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY: People are certainlybuzzing about Razorback football in the state of Arkansas, but UA is an equally hot topic in other parts of the nation. The Birmingham News featured the Razorbacks yesterday; check out the preview here. Individually, UA QB Ryan Mallett and TE D.J. Williams were featured on CBSSports.com‘s All-American teams; check the squads out here. Arkansas’ Mallett was featured on NYTimes.com over the weekend. He’s on the website’s Heisman Trophy radarhere (video available).

HOT OFF THE NEWSSTANDS: Have you picked up the Sept. 6 copy of ESPN The Magazine yet? Arkansas’ signal caller Mallett was featured in the issue. Writer Jeff Dooley examined the preseason All-SEC first teamer’s height in relation to his quarterbacking ability. Arkansas fans can note: Mallett is all business. He says: "I’m not playing to win eight games- I came here to win big trophies for my team."

Click the smaller picture below to take a full-sizelook at the first page of the article:

ESPN.com’s Kirk Herbstreit handed out his "Herbie Awards", with Arkansas figuring into his national rankings here. Also on the website, Southeastern Conference blogger and analyst Chris Low makes several "fearless" predictions. One of which is about Arkansas’ quarterback here.

Friday, Aug. 27, 2010The 2010 Arkansas football season is nearly here. In about one week, it will be game time with the Razorbacks taking on Tennessee Tech in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Sept. 4 at 6p.m. The growing anticipation of a renewed yearof college football has been mounting since the very end of last season. Hold on tight, Arkansas fans.

The Razorback offense received attention in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution yesterday. The lauded UA offense was tops in the Southeastern Conference last season in scoring (36.0) and passing offense (295.5). Writer Ray Glier caught up with D.J Williams and Greg Childs and discovered the two Razorbacks are intenselyfocused on helping UA achieve its goals. Read the article here.

Preseason recognition of Arkansas’ hard work continues to roll in. UA offensive lineman DeMarcus Love was named to the Lombardi Award’s watch list Friday, adding to the Outland Trophy watch list mention the Lancaster, Texas, native already garnered. For more on the award from ESPN.com’s Chris Low, click here.

Are you on Twitter? The Razorbacks are! Click here to follow.

Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010The last week before "game week" is winding down but the Arkansas Razorbacks are still hard at work on the practice field. Did you see the practice update on ArkansasRazorbacks.com yet? Click here. Also on the official Razorback website; RB Dennis Johnson has been named a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, see that here. If you recall from last season, Johnson rushed for 107 yards on 14 tries at Florida.

Razorback under center of attentionUA standout quarterback Ryan Mallett has been busy this August, preparing with his Arkansas squad for the upcoming 2010 season. Pundits around the country have been equally busy, talking up a storm about the prospects of the Razorbacks’ campaign. The squad returns nine starters on offense and seven on defense. For Mallett and the QB unit, 85 percent of the team’s receiving yards return from a year ago, giving him plenty of options down field. Discussion on the Texarkana, Ark., native popped up in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and The Huntsville Times.

While the quarterback position manned by Mallettis a hot topic for Arkansas, the stable of running backs behind him have garnered attention, as well.Associated Press coverage on the group can be found here.Robbie Neiswangerpreviews the fully-loaded unit in the Arkansas News here. With 75 percent of the rushing yards from 2009 back this season, highly-touted UA offense looks to stay dynamic. More offensive coverage is online Thursday from Nate Allen here.

Have you seen the outstanding football coverage being posted to ArkansasRazorback.com’s RazorVision? Click here.

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010The first entry of the Razorback Football Notebook came and went, but the growing anticipation for a new season of Arkansas football is here to stay. If you didn’t see it Tuesday on ArkansasRazorbacks.com, click here for pay-per-view info on UA’s season opener vs. Tennessee Tech, Sept. 4. But why watch the game on TV when you can be there? Click here for more info in Razorback football tickets.

Love for the linemanESPN.com’s Chris Low broke down Arkansas’ offensive lineman DeMarcus Love yesterday, calling him the top-rated at his position in the conference. Love lined up at the left tackle last season, protecting UA quarterback Ryan Mallett’s back. Low knows Southeastern Conference football, having covered the league for more than 10 seasons. Click here for the video.

Arkansas fans have a chance to chime in at ESPN.com. Vote in the "Herbie Awards" contest, where Razorback QB Ryan Mallett is up for "the quarterback you would most wantwith the game on the line". Click here.Kirk Herbstreit’s annual ”Herbie Awards” which will be featured this year in a special broadcast on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.

If you’re a UA fan in need another breakdown on Razorback football, check out Sports Illustrated’s preview of the squad here. The article checks the Razorbacks in as a team to watch in 2010.

Receivers catch footballs and attentionArkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett led the conference passing yards per game (278.8) andtouchdown passes (30), thanks in part to UA’s deep crew of wide receivers. Local media membersChris Bahn and Robbie Neiswanger have coverage of the unit here and here.

On UATrav.com, the University of Arkansas’ student newspaper’s website, there are feature stories on OL Alvin Bailey and RB Broderick Green. You can read about Bailey’s work to have a breakout season here and about what Green brings to UA’s running game here.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010The upcoming 2010 season of college football is quickly approaching. With the end of summer comes Razorback football, as fans within and outside the state of Arkanas know. The state and nation are buzzing about the Razorbacks, and rightfully so. UA returns players who accounted for 100 percent of its passing yards in 2010, 85 percent of its receiving and 75 percent of its rushing yards. The Razorbacks are led quarterback by preseason first-team All-SEC honoree Ryan Mallett. UA tight end D.J. Williams joined Mallett on the first team, as well.

Over the weekend, The Associated Press preseason poll was released. Arkansas has been ranked 17th, which is the highest preseason ranking for the Razorbacks since 1990, when UA began the year at No. 14. Click here for the full rankings.

Trophy TalkDiscussion is already rampant over who is college football’s best player. Pundits are taking preseason glances at the postseason awards situation with the Razorbacks’ signal callercoming up often.UA’s Ryan Mallett is listed in breakdowns by the Associated Press and Rivals.com. Mallett is on the watch lists for the Manning Award, Maxwell Award, O’Brien Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year.

A Big TrophyThe Burlsworth Trophy was recently announced, with the award going annually to the nation’s top walk-on football player. The trophy honors Brandon Burlsworth, whowalked on to the Razorback team in 1994, worked his way to being a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was drafted with the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 draft, but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children that have limited opportunities. Local reporter Nate Allen recapped the announcement; read the article here. ArkansasRazorbacks.com features video of the press conference here.

D-Line Fine with DavisArkansas’ Alfred Davis has been making an impact in August, and people have noticed. Robbie Neiswanger with Arkansas News did a write-up on the big Razorback defensive tackle here. The piece offers quotes from Davis and also preivews the entire defensive line unit, as a whole. Speaking of Davis, UA linebacker Freddy Burton said, "You can definitely tell when he’s in there".

UA’s defensive secondary is bolstered this season with the return of Isaac Madison, who sat out last season due to injury. Gary Brown, with College Sports Matchups, caught up with Madison to discuss his return and the cornerback position. Check that out here.

Sure, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is big. But so is the Sam M. Walton College ofBusiness. Check out this story on ArkansasSports360.com about what may be drawingfootball playersto the University of Arkansas.

And if you missed Razorback Fan Day at the Gardens this past weekend, check out the video KFSM Channel 5 has online here. ArkansasRazorbacks.com was there covering the event, with video here.

Tweet, tweet. Are you following the Razorbacks on Twitter? Get updates on UA football, as well as all Razorback sports here.