CB Curl impresses in defeat
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Razorbacks defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said freshman cornerback Kamren Curl played very well in his first start last week.
“It’s not surprising to any of us who watch him on the practice field every day,” Rhoads said. “I would say he was sort of quiet out there. You noticed him when he got beat deep and that the kid dropped the ball. I don’t know how much you noticed him the rest of the game. With a good corner, sometimes that’s the case.”
TCU quarterback Kenny Hill attacked Curl deep a few times but was unable to connect with his receivers. Freshman Jalen Reagor turned Curl around on a post route, but could not hang on to a slightly overthrown ball in the end zone that that could resulted into a 32- yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“On the post, he got me turned and got behind me,” Curl said. “Other than that, I thought I did pretty good.
“I felt I held my own. It was really a quiet game for me, so as a corner that’s very good.”
Rhoads said Curl’s work in coverage was solid in the 28- 7 loss.
“He played his loose coverage better,” Rhoads said. “He played his press coverage very well. He did not have a lot of opportunities as far as tackling, but is very capable and ready for that.”
Curl was credited with one solo tackle for the game.
The 6- 1, 193- pounder from Muskogee, Okla., said he got over his anxiety quickly.
“Right before, I had a bunch of nerves, but I had to go in and I’m in that situation for a reason,” he
said. “The nerves went away right before the game.”