Bielema confident in both backup QBs
FAYETTEVILLE — Cole Kelley and Ty Storey are tied for Arkansas’ backup quarterback but Kelley must be slightly ahead because today he would take the first snap whenever starter Austin Allen doesn’t play, Razorback coach Bret Bielema explained Wednesday.
In a short session with media before addressing the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club luncheon at Mermaid’s Restaurant, Bielema was asked about what’s been mostly a preseason dead-heat for the backup quarterback spot between Kelley, the big-armed 6-7, 268-pound redshirt freshman from Lafayette, La., and Storey, the more experienced third-year sophomore from Charleston and Allen’s nominal backup last season.
For now, it seems Kelley is the first one if Allen needs to come out in Arkansas’ Aug. 31 season opener against Florida A&M at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.
“On Tuesday, we sat both Ty and Cole down and told Cole that if a game was tomorrow he’d be the first guy in there,” Bielema said. “But when I list them on the depth chart Friday they’ll be slashed.
The best thing they’ve got going is competition amongst themselves. So
Cole may be the guy this week and Ty could be the guy next week and to be quite honest, depending on game situations, it might determine who goes into the game overall. I think it’s better than we’ve ever had because you’ve got two guys you feel good about in that spot and can perform very, very well.”
What did Kelley do to separate himself as the for now designated first guy in?
“We were light on Austin’s reps the last probably seven days of camp before this week, just to try to get those guys into those situations and they handled it very well. We pulled Austin out of the ones and those guys got to rep with those ones. I think that’s when Cole really flourished.”
But this competition will continue, Bielema said.
“Ty had a really good day yesterday,” Bielema said. “I think, again, if a situation arises that we need that No. 2 quarterback, we’ve got two guys that are capable of doing it.”
* Senior Jared Cornelius, with 32 catches last year, doesn’t appear on an accelerated timetable for the season opener. Bielema didn’t rule out Cornelius playing against Flori
da A&M but obviously wants him full strength for the Sept.
9 Fayetteville opener against TCU at Reynolds Razorback Stadium and certainly full strength after a bye week for the Razorbacks’ Sept. 23 Southeastern Conference opener against Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas.
Withdrawn from the preseason practice limited 105man roster after drills began because of an ailing back, Cornelius returned to practice with the roster expanded prior to Monday’s UA start of fall-semester classes, but his workouts have been limited.
“Just knowing J-Red he’s not going to need a lot of time,” Bielema said. “He’s catching balls. He’s engaged actually physically going through the regimen of playing.” Sophomores Deon Stewart and La’Michael Pettway, with a combined three catches last year, and redshirt freshman Jordan Jones led the wideouts into Little Rock, Bielema said. Jones also is the lead kickoff returner, the coach said.
* Although undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in a knee just three weeks ago, sophomore receiver/running back T.J. Hammonds rejoined the active roster and possibly could play against Florida A&M.
“T.J. Hammonds was running around looked good yesterday (Tuesday), Bielema said. “I think he’ll be full go by the end of the week.”
Bielema said at the noon luncheon that Hammonds was scripted to participate in 12 of the 19 Wednesday-afternoon practice periods then be evaluated for overnight swelling and if he could increase his workload.
Considering Hammonds’ progress, Bielema said he would be “very surprised” if Hammonds isn’t deemed full go by Friday’s practice.
* True freshman walkon blueshirt Hayden Henry has so excelled that Bielema lists him the top backup to “Razor” fourth-year junior outside linebacker Randy Ramsey and moved erstwhile Razorback backup senior Dwayne Eugene to the “Hog” outside linebacker where in this week’s closed practices he may be running ahead of senior Karl Roesler and junior college transfer Gabe Richardson.
Henry and fellow blueshirt (walk-ons given the understanding they likely eventually will receive a full athletic scholarship) freshman backup right offensive guard Ty Clary obviously have surprised but so have a pair of old linebacking hands
“Randy Ramsey and Dwayne Eugene have probably been the biggest surprise this fall camp,” Bielema said.
* Bielema said the Razorbacks and their coaches together will watch Florida A&M kick off its season Saturday against visiting Texas Southern on ESPNU.