Arkansas running back Knile Davis earned his first live work during the mock game last Friday. Three days later, Arkansas coach John L. Smith and quarterback Tyler Wilson provided a few more details about his performance in live tackling work.
“He looked real good,” Smith said during Monday’s press conference. “He looked like Knile. The first time they tackled him all the way to the ground he coughed the ball up, but the ground caused the fumble, so it would not have been a fumble.”
Smith did not reveal the number of carries Davis received during the scrimmage work, but joked Arkansas “went until we were tired of it, which was two.”
But Smith believes the work, no matter how many attempts it included, was important for Davis as he prepares for his first game since the 2010 Sugar Bowl. The running back missed the 2011 season after suffering a fractured ankle in practice.
“He’s excited and I think it was good for him without a doubt to take some hits and feel good about himself,” Smith said. “Get back up, take a few more.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The running back had participated in practices throughout the preseason, but was held out of scrimmages and other contact work. So Wilson said Davis had a “really focused” look on his face before getting his first carry during the mock game.
The end result, Wilson said, was good for Davis and the Razorbacks.
“I don’t run the ball as much as Knile so I don’t know how to vocalize it,” Wilson said. “But Knile, I think, ran the ball very well and it will run it better and better each game that he’s out there.”
Defensive end Chris Smith offered another assessment of Davis’ scrimmage debut.
“Everybody was wondering how he was going to do,” Smith said. “Knile is still Knile from what I saw Friday night. … I know he’s going to put on a show Saturday.”
Suspensions for opener
Smith was asked Monday if anyone would be suspended for the season opener.
After hesitating, Smith indicated there could be players out. But he declined to specify which ones would be sidelined against Jacksonville State.
“There possibly is some people that are righting some wrongs,” Smith said. “And, this is a perfect time to get them … We want the ship sailing right. If you have a, what do you call it, penance to serve, you’ll get that done this week.”
One likely candidate is offensive tackle Jason Peacock, who was arrested in the offseason. The 2011 starter was permitted to return to the team, but spent much of the preseason working with the second-team offensive line.
— Robbie Neiswanger