Thursday, April 23, 2009

Petrino Names Starting QB

Petrino Tabs Mallett As Starting QB
by ArkansasSports360.com Staff

As expected, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino named sophomore Ryan Mallett the starting quarterback entering the fall.

Mallett, the transfer from Michigan, worked with the first team throughout most of the spring. He beat out Tyler Wilson for the job, but both could play if the Razorbacks faced a game this weekend.

Petrino said he would start Mallett, but Wilson would play first series of second quarter. It's something Petrino did at Louisville.


Petrino informed the quarterbacks of the decision on Tuesday.

Mallett finished 15 of 26 or 233 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the spring game. Wilson was 23-of-36 for 301 yards with two touchdowns and an interception playing for both the Red and White teams.

Petrino said Mallett provided the needed leadership and showed more polished in the run game.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Red-White Roster


http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/pdf5/398763.pdf?ATCLID=3721281&SPSID=30726&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100

Spring Game Saturday



FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –- Arkansas closes spring football practice with Saturday’s 6 p.m. Red-White Spring Game in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Activities at the stadium actually begin at noon with the Fifth Annual Abbott Nutrition RazorFest.

Admission is free to the game and RazorFest. Donations for the support of Tusk, who is going to be at the stadium, and the live mascot program are encouraged and going to be collected at gates entering the stadium.

Activities get underway with the Energizer Pep Rally at noon, featuring members of the Razorback spirit groups, giveaways and spirit competitions all in the parking lot north of the football stadium and the Broyles Athletic Center.

Family activities are scheduled from 12:30-5:30 in the parking lot, below the east concourse of the stadium and along the south end zone concourse of the stadium.

Other attractions include the Wal-Mart and Disney Zone featuring autograph sessions with former Razorback All-American and current Dallas Cowboy Felix Jones, and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus. Other features include concerts, a Tyson Olympic Village, a Nickelodeon Zone with SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, junior sportscasters hosted by members of KHOG 40/29, a Wheaties Autograph Zone including head coach Bobby Petrino and Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long, Dial for Men Zone, PDA Bug, Abbott Nutrition Zone, Heinz Hospitality Suite, the Pig Rig and the Energizer Power Zone.

Abbott Nutrition RazorFest benefits and showcases youth organizations serving Northwest Arkansas. The event is put on by Champions for Kids as its premier fundraiser. Champions for Kids is a support center which strengthens non-profits to better serve more kids by providing investment grants and training. 2009 non-profit participants include: Arkansas Support Network, Camp Barnabas, Camp Harvest, Community Clinic at St. Francis House, The Elizabeth Richardson Center and LifeSource International, Inc.
For the game, Petrino is splitting his team into two groups. The first team offense and defense are squaring off against the second and third team offense and defense.

The spring game is going to resemble an actual regular season contest with the exception of no contact on punts and kickoffs. The first half is going to be played under regular clock operations, but the second half is going to be played with a running clock.

The team is scheduled to arrive around 3:15 p.m. for the player walk through Lot 44 to the Broyles Athletic Center. The Razorback Marching Band is going to be on the field for pre-game and will form an “A” for the team to run through.

In the stadium, all gates in the lower bowl are going to open for the game at 4:30 p.m.

The first 7,000 fans entering are going to receive a 2009 Razorback Football Schedule Poster, which is sponsored by Chick-fil-A and Cox. Posters are going to be available when gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Outside the stadium, shuttles are going to run from Baum Stadium to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium from 2 p.m. until two hours after the game ends. A handicap shuttle, which is also open to everyone, is going to run from Lot 56 on the corner of Razorback Road and Martin Luther King Blvd. (Sixth Street) to the stadium. The Gold route shuttle is unloading at gates 1, 8, 13 and 16 while the Silver route shuttle is unloading at gates 1 and 8 only.

Public parking is available in lots 56, 56B, 56D, 46, Stadium Drive Parking Garage, Harmon Avenue Parking Garage and at Baum Stadium. The Markham Hill area and streets without designated spaces are not available for public parking.

The post-game traffic flow is the same as a regular game. Fans parked in Lot 44 and north of that position are going to exit to the north. Everyone on the west side of Razorback Road is going to exit to the south. Stadium Drive, Meadow Street and Leroy Pond are going to be open to two-way traffic.

Razorback Transit is offering regular Saturday reduced service from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. The Red, Tan and Blue Reduced routes should operate as usual, but there may be delays in service on the Green Reduced route.

A schedule and listing of RazorFest activities follows:





2009 Abbott Nutrition RazorFest



Family Pavilion - North parking lot


Old Spice Main Stage/Area

Old Spice Main Stage

Noon Energizer Pep Rally, Giveaways • cheerleaders • spirit competitions

12:30 – 1 Oreo Blue Concert

1 – 1:20 Dick Butkus interview with Rick Schaeffer

1:20 – 2 Clear Channel MUSIC set (activity and/or station music)

2 – 3 Oreo Blue Concert

3:15 UA Football Team arrives by bus

3:20 Jeff Long interview with Rick Schaeffer (TBD-Matt Shanklin confirming)

3:30 Felix Jones interview with Rick Schaeffer

4 – 5 Oreo Blue Concert
5 – 5:30 Clear Channel MUSIC set (activity and/or station music)



Old Spice Fun Zone Tent

Bean bag toss game

Photo ops with cardboard cutout of the Old Spice Centaur - Polaroid photos with sleeves

24 ft. X 100 ft. Astro Turf Football Field (in front of stage area)

Giveaways -Old Spice Body Wash, inflated balloons, re-usable water bottles



Clear Channel Stations tent with live on-air music and giveaways



Tyson Olympic Village

Animal Farm Inflatable

Tyson Trailers (2)

CEB Inflatables (Basketball Goal and Doll House Bouncy)



Coca-Cola Chill Zone

Games and giveaways





Sports Zone

Wheaties Autograph Area - Various former/current Razorback athletes/coaches

(Nature Valley Granola Bars and other snack items to be given away while fans are waiting in line)

General Mills Characters (1-2, TBD)

Jack Wills Play Areas (2), Trampoline (1), Basketball Goal (1)



Northeast Sidewalk Area

The Pig Rig – Clear Channel Stations live feed truck with giveaways

PDA Bug – Giveaways

Tusk the live Razorback



Energizer Power Zone – East Concourse

Champions for Kids – game-day maps/info booth and giveaways

Arkansas Support Network Booth, giveaways and game

Camp Barnabas Booth, giveaways and game

Camp Harvest Booth, giveaways and game

Community Clinic at St. Francis House Booth, giveaways and game

The Elizabeth Richardson Center Booth, giveaways and game

LifeSource International, Inc. Booth, giveaways and game

Energizer Booth – Bunny Ear giveaways

40/29 Booth – giveaways

Kids Directory – face painting

3W Magazine - giveaways

360NWA.com - stress ball's and glow arm band giveaways



Walmart Health & Fitness Zone – South Concourse

Heinz VIP Hospitality Suite Hosted by Jennie-O Turkey and Signature Bank

Food and drink for sponsors and special guests – VIP pass required



Nickelodeon Zone

Games and giveaways

Appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer



Dial for Men Zone

Video games

Giveaway - Dial Soap



Abbott Nutrition End Zone
Football agility game and passing course

Photo area with green screen where visitors have picture taken and printed with custom EAS background

Dick Butkus will be in booth from 3 - 4:30

Giveaways - EAS eye black stickers, temporary tattoos and EAS purple wrist bands



Wal-Mart and Disney Zone

Free eye exam area

Felix Jones autographs from 1-3, presented by Prilosec OTC

Obstacle Course

Giveaways - balloons and a photo