Tenarius Wright earns SEC honor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback defensive end Tenarius Wright has earned season accolades from the Southeastern Conference, it was announced on Thursday.

Wright, a Memphis, Tenn. native, has been named to the 2009 SEC All-Freshman Team. Wright played in 12 games and started against South Carolina for the Razorbacks in 2009. He finished the season with 32 total tackles (21 solo), seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. His seven tackles for loss ranked fifth on the squad. Wright recorded a season-high five tackles against Alabama. Against Texas A&M, he recorded three tackles (two for a loss) along with a sack and two forced fumbles.

On Oct. 5, Wright was honored by the SEC as the Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in UA’s 47-19 victory over Texas A&M. Against the Aggies, Wright recorded three tackles, including two for a loss of 10 yards. He also caused two fumbles and had one sack for a loss of four yards. Wright forced as many fumbles against Texas A&M than did UA’s leader in the department did all of last season.

Wright’s first forced fumble came at a critical point in the game. Midway through the second quarter, Texas A&M trailed, 14-10, but had the ball on the Arkansas nine-yard line when Wright stripped Aggie quarterback Jerrod Johnson and UA’s Jerry Franklin scooped the ball and ran 85 yards for a touchdown.

On Monday, sophomore receiver Joe Adams, sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett, senior offensive lineman Mitch Petrus and senior defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard were named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press. On Tuesday, Mallett, Petrus, Sheppard and junior tight end D.J. Williams were named to the Coaches’ All-SEC teams.

Arkansas will play Conference USA Champion East Carolina in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2010, in Memphis. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.