Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Kicker update
Junior Cole Hedlund would be the No. 1 placekicker if the Razorbacks played a game today, Coach Bret Bielema said.
But the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville doesn’t open the season until Aug. 31 against Florida A&M, and freshman walk-on Blake Mazza continues to push Hedlund.
“My man Maserati, he’s doing all right,” Bielema said.” He’s done some nice stuff.”
Hedlund, who missed last week’s scrimmage with a groin injury, was 4 for 4 on field goals during the open portion of Saturday’s practice. He hit from 36, 38, 43 and 48 yards.
Mazza, who hit all five of his attempts last week with a long of 36 yards, went 2 for 3 Saturday. He hit from 33 and 43 yards and was wide right on a 48-yard attempt.
Sophomore Connor Limpert is working No. 1 on kickoffs, Bielema said, with Mazza and Hedlund backing him up.
Bielema said Limpert is focusing on kickoffs, the job he handled last season.
“He’s been pretty good,” Bielema said. “Kind of just let him devote himself to kicking that ball. A leftfooted kicker on kickoff puts another spin on it.”