Best Razorback Games Of 2007-08 — Instant Classic

After it was over, here’s how we described the game that is #3 on our countdown of the best Razorback games of 2007-08:

You know…just another Razorback Saturday.  The stadium field gets a name; the legendary Keith Jackson stops by to ‘Call the Hogs’; Felix rushes for 174, DMac rushes for 321 and we completely steamroller Steve Spurrier.  Ho hum?  Yeah, right.  It was a magical night.  What an honor it was to be there to see an ‘Instant Razorback Classic’ in person.

And thanks to YouTube (and GTHogFan), there’s really no need to say anything more.

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Practice Reports - 8/14/2005

After showing during the first week of practice that he was the obvious choice, Robert Johnson was named the Razorbacks starting quarterback today by Houston Nutt.

“After watching the film this week we’re going to put Robert Johnson in at the first slot at starter and Alex Mortensen will be behind him,” Nutt said. “We feel good about what he’s (Johnson) is doing now, that he didn’t do in the spring. He’s been accurate, but like we told him, ‘We’re giving you this because you earned it, but you still have to come to work everyday. You’ve got some guys right there on your heels and they’re going to work even harder.’ We’re excited about his progress, but I still think we can get better.”
…
“There’s a confidence level there and he’s better in the huddle,” Nutt said. “You can see when there’s pressure he’s doing things better, getting rid of the ball and not holding it. He hasn’t thrown an interception in the last couple days. We’ve been real pleased with that. He’s been here for three years, longer than anyone else.”

Also:

• Dudley Dawson: UA Sunday Grid Report (subscription)
• Trey Biddy: Johnson’s the man (subscription)
• Bob Holt: Nutt says Johnson will be starting QB and Razorbacks Football Report
• Nate Allen: Obvious decision

Updated 8/15/05 9:30 a.m. - Added additional links.

Practice Reports - 8/13/2005

U of A SID: Offense Gets the Best of First Two-a-Day Practices

The 65-play scrimmage was slowed and eventually cut short after injuries hampered the Hogs’ progress. Right tackle Zac Tubbs went down with a high-right ankle sprained early in the scrimmage for the first team. Cornerback Michael Grant then left a short time later with what appeared to a dislocated finger.

Also:

• Clay Henry: Saturday Grid Update, 8/13 (subscription)
• Nate Allen: Tubbs leaves practice with high ankle sprain
• Bob Holt: Razorbacks Report
• Mike Capshaw: Johnson Leads Quarterback Race

Updated 8/14/05 10:45 a.m. - Added additional links.

Tuesdaze — Last Open Practice

Tuesday’s open practice was well attended by fans and media types alike, with appropriate set-ups for live shots, an extended cell phone call into a talk show, and the water girls staying busy due to the heat. The black tarp around the fence and the sunken nature of the West side of the practice field ensures a lack of breeze to the players were any to be available.

Reggie Herring is extremely entertaining and possibly not long for this earth if he continues to exert himself in this heat like he did today. He is colorful, explaining to one player that “Superman isn’t real, he lives in comic books, and you ain’t Superman.”

Howard, Hillis, and company look good. I’m liking the running backs. Quarterbacks have more than a ways to go, with Casey Dick actually providing some impressive moments while serving up balls to the backs and tight ends against the linebackers and safeties. He puts the ball in good places I noticed. Robert Johnson is obviously ahead of Chris and Cole, and fortunately we have many practices days ahead for all, as it appeared many more were needed.

Monk and the other receivers have promise, but that remains a big “we’ll see” with me. Cornerbacks will struggle. As it goes in football, the story will be in the offensive and defensive lines, and nothing happened today to provide any insight to that.

So there you go. No plays, alignments or schemes revealed. A fun time was had by all.

Reporting Day

It was a typical reporting day…always a few who don’t make it. This year it was Zack Snider (attending a wedding), Vickiel Vaughn (family obligations) and Jamaal Anderson (bad car alternator). Is it me, or does it always seem like every year that somebody’s car breaks down? Where’s Steve Landers or Bob Carver when you need them?

Nate Allen’s already bringing up the quarterback race. Sounds like Robert Johnson’s voice has dropped a few octaves, so now he must be ready to be a SEC QB. Couldn’t that just be puberty kicking in, Nate? But the whole “I’m 85% right now and full speed by Sept. 3rd” thing is a little ominous sounding to me. Let’s just hope he’s 100% by Vanderbilt on September 10th.

• Bob Holt: Making themselves at home
• Mike Capshaw: Hogs Unify During Summer Workouts
• Clay Henry: Hog Gridders Report (subscription)

Finally, as usual, Wally Hall is writing about anything other than things people want to read. What…no softball to write about today, Wally? Can someone please tell him Razorback football practice starts tomorrow?