Former Razorback QB Tyler Wilson joins John & Tommy in studio to discuss Arkansas media day, the QB battle, plus an interview with ADG’s Tom Murphy.
Morris says positives about all quarterbacks right now
Chad Morris knows the importance of the quarterback position.
Especially when it comes to the fans.
At every press conference during Arkansas’ early fall practices he has addressed the position, covering every player at the position with the exception of walk-on Jack Lindsey (and apologies if he has mentioned him and I missed it).
You get the idea there is no fixed timeline on Morris making any kind of decision on the most high profile position on the team, but he’ll know it when he sees it.
“There’s really not one,” Morris said Saturday at Media Day. “I know everybody wants to know when we’re going to make it. I know we’re going to get through the scrimmages. We’re going to see them move as a team down the field and see who gets them in the end zone.”
He wants them to feel pressure. We don’t know if Morris gets in the head of quarterbacks the way Bobby Petrino or Lou Holtz used to, but it’s clear he does it get consistency.
“These guys have got to feel the pressure,” he said. “We want the same guy every day. We don’t want a guy that’s up here one day and down here the next. Up 10 or down 10, I want to see the same guy that’s going to keep everything under control and will his team to win.”
After the two practices there’s been media availability, Morris has talked about Ty Storey, Cole Kelley, Daulton Hyatt and freshmen John Stephen Jones and Connor Noland.
Hyatt “shot out of the box,” Morris said Saturday.
“No one is talking about this guy,” Morris said. “So, as I shared with him, I said, ‘No one is talking about you, man. What are you going to do? Are you just going to sit back and give it up here or what? Or are you gonna go compete?'”
Hyatt got everyone’s attention with his mobility in the spring. Since then, he’s added some bulk to a painfully skinny frame, up to 196 pounds (and on a 6-foot-4 frame that’s still thin).
At Media Day on Saturday, all of the players called the competition between Storey and Kelley as close. We heard that from nearly every one of the players.
Morris talked about tweaking the offense, which could be interpreted as being flexible for multiple quarterbacks. That’s something good coaches do. Coaches that don’t have that flexibility usually don’t have a job long.
He’s told us how that shows up in the first read of his offense, which is really an option offense.
“If he is a good runner, we’ll have him take that first read to keeping the ball if the first option is not there,” Morris said. “If he’s not a good runner, then instead of keeping it that option becomes passing the ball.”
It’s basic option football as much as the old Wishbone or Nebraska I-formation option offenses were in the 70’s and 80’s.
And it just keeps everybody wondering about the quarterback position.
Some can run it. Some aren’t quick-footed enough and need to pass it.
Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock just have to figure out who does what with the most consistency.
Because, we’re guessing, that’s who the ultimate starter will be.
All videos in one place from Razorbacks Media Day
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Hogs dispatch Kansas State in first exhibition match of year
FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore Taylor Malham was the first Razorback to find the back of the net in the 2018 season when her one-timer score led Arkansas to a 1-0 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night in exhibition play.
Malham, a sophomore, comes off a stellar freshman campaign where she scored six goals, good for second on the team, and also tallied two assists.
Her score on Saturday came in the 37th minute of play after receiving a perfect cross from freshman Maddie Ricketts on the right side.
Arkansas, which started preseason practice three days ago, was able to utilize its full roster throughout the match as 21 different players made it onto the field for at least 16 or more minutes.
Sophomore Brooke Pirkle led all players, going a full 90 minutes in the midfield.
Both teams agreed prior to the match to play three 30-minute halves, allowing plenty of rest and rehydration on what ended up being a seasonably warm Arkansas night.
In the net, coach Colby Hale was able to use goalkeepers Alexis Bach and Taylor Beitz evenly throughout the match. Beitz corralled three saves in 46 minutes, while Bach was faced with two shots, but none found the target.
The Razorback defense helped control the possession for much of the night, limiting Kansas State to only six shots, three coming in the second period.
Arkansas also won the corners game, 7-0, helping to create multiple chances in front of goal.
On the offensive end, junior Stefani Doyle led all Razorbacks with four shots in 46 minutes. Six other players also were able to find the shot sheet with Marissa Kinsey, Parker Goins, Caroline Campbell and Malham all finding the target.
Arkansas will get back to practice next week in preparation of their final exhibition of the season set for Thursday, Aug. 9 at Nebraska.
The Razorbacks will not open the regular season until Aug. 17 against Duquesne in State College, Pennsylvania.
First kick against the Cornhuskers next week is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Wallace talking about how dropping fat helps
Arkansas offensive tackle Brian Wallace has been one of the most talked-about linemen leading up to the start of fall camp in terms of how much body fat he’s lost.
Whaley at Media Day on Saturday on being quicker
Arkansas running back Devwah Whaley talked with the media Saturday at Media Day on the new offense and how he’s doing better leaner and faster.
Hogs defensive lineman Gabe Richardson at Media Day
Arkansas defensive lineman Gabe Richardson talked about the new attacking defense John Chavis has brought to the Hogs and how it fits his game.
Hogs linebacker Morgan at Media Day on Saturday
Razorbacks linebacker Grant Morgan talked about the new defense and playing faster with the media at Media Day on Saturday on the indoor practice field in Fayetteville.
Hogs offensive lineman Gibson at Media Day on Saturday
Arkansas lineman Johnny Gibson met with the media Saturday on Media Day in Fayetteville and talked about the new offense, playing fast and being leaner.
Hogs tight end Cantrell on Morris’ new offense
Arkansas tight end Austin Cantrell talked with the media Saturday at Media Day on the indoor practice field about the offense playing faster and the tight ends’ role in it.
Morris on Hogs after first two practices of fall camp
Arkansas coach Chad Morris at Media Day on Saturday updated how he likes this team’s progress through the first two practices of fall camp after a quick turnaround from Friday’s workout.
