Injuries mounting for reeling Razorbacks
FAYETTEVILLE — Cornerback and kickoff returner have supplanted Arkansas’ offensive line with the most missing personnel.
The Razorbacks (1-2) are now without season-opening starting cornerback Chevin Calloway, as well as Britto Tutt, who started in Calloway’s place on Saturday in a 44-17 loss to North Texas (3-0) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Coach Chad Morris said Calloway missed the North Texas game because of “a family issue he is dealing with” and will miss Saturday’s game, too.
Arkansas will open its Southeastern Conference scheduled against the No. 9 Tigers (2-1, 0-1) in Auburn, Ala. Morris said Tutt was injured Saturday and will be out for a few weeks.
Tutt was also the No. 3 kickoff returner behind De’Vion Warren and Gary Cross. Warren returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in last season’s 52-20 loss to Auburn in Fayetteville. He and Cross are both injured and “doubtful” for Saturday.
Deon Stewart, last year’s kick returner, was in a green limited practice jersey on Wednesday. Redshirt freshmen Montaric “Buster” Brown and Jarques McClellion appear the next men up on the corner opposite junior mainstay Ryan Pulley. Sophomore strong safety Kamren Curl started at corner last year after Pulley’s season-ending injury.
“We have discussed everything in staff meetings,” Morris said of position moves. “Right now, he’s playing well at his position. You hate to do that (move Curl) at this point right now.”
The secondary and linebacker units did get some good news Wednesday. Morris said sixth-year nickel back Kevin Richardson and senior firstteam weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw should play against Auburn.
Richardson has played every position in the secondary during a career granted an extra year because of medical hardships. He recently returned to limited drills after breaking his foot moving furniture before August preseason practices began, but he practiced full-go on Wednesday.
Greenlaw has been out since spraining his ankle after making 10 tackles in the first quarter of Arkansas’ 55-20 season-opening victory against Eastern Illinois (0-3) in Fayetteville. He has practiced in a limited green jersey this week, but can step in at close to full speed as a four-year starter.
“We expect both of those guys to travel and play this week,” Morris said.
Fourth-year junior left tackle Colton Jackson had back surgery in July and returned to play 26 snaps off of the bench on Saturday. He was in full gear Wednesday watching practice during the first 20 minutes allowed for viewing by media. He will likely alternately practice and refresh leading into his first starter this season.
Redshirt freshman Dalton Wagner took part in first-team play during the first 20 minute. True freshman Noah Gatlin started the last two games at left tackle.
Senior center Hjalt Froholdt started practice at left guard, where he started the previous two seasons. Sophomore Ty Clary started at left guard last week, but opened practice at center, the position he played in the spring.
“We’re trying to find the best-five combination on the field,” Morris said. “We’re cross-training for depth purposes as well.”
Morris was asked how fourth-junior quarterback Ty Storey responded in practice this week to being named the starter.
“He’s done really well,” Morris said. “He had a very good day yesterday. All those guys did. He knows he is the guy and in charge out there leading. We had a very good offensive day yesterday.”
The Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club timed their speaking schedule well with former Tulsa Coach Todd Graham addressing the club’s Wednesday luncheon at Mermaids Restaurant.
Graham, a former high school coach in Texas, hired longtime Texas high school coach Morris to be his offensive coordinator at Tulsa after current Auburn coach Gus Malzahn.
The relationship between Malzahn and Morris caught Graham’s interest. The interest mushroomed after Morris visited Graham at Tulsa.
Morris and Graham confirmed it took three offers before Morris, coming off successive 16-0 state champion seasons, accepted to join the Tulsa staff before moving on as Clemson’s offensive coordinator then SMU’s head coach.
“He had been coaching in high school for 20 years, so it was just tough for him to take that next step,” Graham said. “Especially when you’re a high school head coach who’s very successful. I bet he’s glad I went back three times.”