FAYETTEVILLE — To hear University of Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman tell it, when the Razorbacks’ blitz protection plans and counter measures fully kick in to give quarterback Taylen Green precious seconds to operate, the schemes are in place for the offense to soar.
Opposing defenses have been sending frequent blitzes, whether to plug gaps against the bruising Razorback run game or attack Green in the pocket, and the results have been mixed heading into Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. game against No. 24 Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Green has burned some of the pressures with serious scrambles and out-of-pocket magic, such as his 58-yard touchdown pass on the run to Isaiah Sategna in last week’s 24-14 win at Auburn. But some have gotten home or blown up plays, forcing off-schedule throws and leading to three sacks in each of the past three games.
Some of the sacks have pushed the Hogs out of field-goal distance, and some have made for harder field-goal tries for Kyle Ramsey, who is 5 of 9 on the season, all from inside 51 yards.
Green opened the season by completing 16 of 23 passes against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and going 26 of 45 for 416 yards against Oklahoma State. But he’s completed 23 of 53 passes (43.4%) combined in wins over Alabama-Birmingham and Auburn in the past two games, with 3 interceptions and 1 touchdown pass.
Green led receivers Andrew Armstrong, Var’Keyes Gumms and Rodney Hill into bone-jarring collisions for pass breakups last week when the timing of some plays was slightly off.
“I think Taylen’s got to be better — and he’ll tell you that — but we’ve got to be better around him,” Pittman said. “Our protection game is not very good right now, and it’s not necessarily getting beat 1-on-1. It’s, again, not blocking the five most dangerous in a five-man protection. Not holding up at tight end when they’re in protection, and not blocking well at running back when they’re in protection.”
Green talked Tuesday night about the timing in the passing game.
“We’re working on it every single day,” Green said. “We’re staying after and we’re just going to continue to do what we’re doing. It’s going to pay off.
“I know Drew, Ty [Broden] and all the receivers, all the tight ends, we’re going to continue to lock in and focus in on the passing game because we have the potential to be, I believe, the best in the country. That’s what we’re going to show from now and for the future.”
Added Pittman, “If you’re Taylen Green, you’re back there expecting that these guys are blocked. So probably the most concerning part of offensive football from Saturday was the way that we did not protect the quarterback.
“As we all know who played the game, at some point you’re going to try to do too much because you’re feeling like, ‘We’ve got to make a big play, because we’re not just consistently driving the ball down the field.’
“So with all that said, Taylen’s got to make good decisions. But at the same time, we’ve got to get a lot better around him, especially in protections, for us to hit on all cylinders. Which, let’s say this, I believe that we’re capable and I believe that we will. But we’ve got to get better there, and I think we’ll be a much better offense at that point. “
Statistically, through four games in a new offense with tons of new personnel and a new coordinator in Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks are performing well despite the pressure problems.
Arkansas will enter Saturday’s game ranked third in the SEC with 524 total yards per game, fifth with 40.5 points per game, and fourth with 240 rushing yards per game.
Tailback Ja’Quinden Jackson leads the league with 118 rushing yards per game, Green is second with 320.5 total yards per game and Armstrong is second with 116 receiving yards per game.
Texas A&M Coach Mike Elko said he is plenty aware of the capabilities of a Petrino offense.
“I went against him back in the ACC when he was at Louisville and I was at Wake [Forest],” Elko said. “I think he’s really sound in what he does. He’s got a really good plan for how they want to run the football.
“He’s got a really good plan for how they want to create shot plays down the field. They do a good job creating different looks. He’s a really good play caller. I think he’s been really successful for a long time as an offensive coordinator.”
Green’s dual-threat talents are an area of concern for the Aggies.
“I think when a player has the ability to make explosive plays, it certainly enhances your focus level, play to play, because regardless of down and distance, area of the field situation, he has the ability to make an explosive play either with his arm or with his feet,” Elko said.
“That type of explosiveness creates a higher level of focus within your defense because you can’t make mistakes. You make one mistake and it’s seven points. Obviously, that’s usually a focus for you as a defense. But I think when you have a player like this who’s as explosive as he is, it probably just enhances the risk.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-25 20:01:00
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