Auburn’s Stidham has spectator role in spring
AUBURN, Ala. — Jarrett Stidham threw a few passes in 7-on-7 drills before Auburn’s spring game and then headed to the sideline as a spectator and “encourager.”
Stidham’s role Saturday pretty much summed up his spring. The Tigers’ starting quarterback opened it with his left arm in a sling after surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder that bothered him most of last season.
Stidham was limited in spring practice, which concludes Tuesday, and spent much of it observing and working with his young backups.
“Obviously, I love playing. But it’s nice to kind of sit back and kind of see everything from Coach (Gus) Malzahn’s perspective,” said Stidham, adding that he was injured against Missouri a month into the season.
“I would always be back behind everything with him during practice, so I’m kind of able to see what exactly he’s seeing. We talk about things. It was kind of good to get that coach’s perspective.”
It’s a positive spin on a spring that did limit Stidham’s ability to build on his first season as a starter, when he passed for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He led the Tigers to the Southeastern Conference championship game with upsets of national runner-up Georgia and eventual champion Alabama .
Stidham said he’s been able to start running over the past few weeks and noted the importance of summer workouts.
“I need to put on some muscle, put on some weight,” said the 6-foot-3 Stidham, who’s listed at 214 pounds. “I need to get around 220 and keep what little speed I have.”
Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Chad Morris arrived at Arkansas with the promise of turning the formerly prostyle Razorbacks into one of the most up-tempo teams in the Southeastern Conference.
During practices, games and even workouts, the new Arkansas coach — often armed with an energy drink at his side — wanted as much energy as possible.
“We’re going to go fast in everything we do,” Morris said.
Morris has spent much of his first spring with the Razorbacks instilling his need for speed, doing so with a team accustomed to a more measured approach under former coach Bret Bielema. The change in tempo has been noticeable during practices, and it was on full display during Arkansas’ Red-White game on Saturday.
Despite a day that started with a wintry mix and featured occasional snow flurries and chilly temperatures throughout, the Razorbacks showcased their new look for the first time in front of 7,000 fans in War Memorial Stadium.
While the quarterback competition between Cole Kelley and Ty Storey was the most-watched position battle of the scrimmage, how the signal callers operated the offense generated just as much interest.
After most plays, Kelley — last year’s backup to former starter Austin Allen — was busy waving at teammates and rushing them to the line in anticipation of the next play.
“The faster you go, the harder it is on the defense,” Kelley said. “You see people break big plays all the time because the defense isn’t ready. I have to try and get them to as fast as I possibly can.”