Wilson shakes off concussion symptoms; should play this week
FAYETTEVILLE — Whether it was technically a slight concussion or concussion symptoms, Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson should be ready to play against the Troy Trojans Saturday night at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Wilson and his coach said Monday.
Coach Bobby Petrino did not play fourth-year junior starting quarterback Wilson in the second half of last Saturday night’s 52-3 victory over New Mexico in Little Rock after Wilson took a shot to the head, scoring a 7-yard touchdown on Arkansas’ last offensive play of the 31-3 first half.
“Tyler was doing fine last night,” Petrino said of the Razorbacks’ light Sunday workout. “He ran and conditioned with everybody else. I know he took the tests yesterday (Sunday) and they allowed him to run last night so he must’ve did good on the test.”
Wilson followed his coach to Monday’s press conference podium and pronounced himself “absolutely” ready to start today’s game-week practices and play Saturday night after Monday’s NCAA mandated off day.
“I feel fine, really,” Wilson said. “I’m feeling good. I had a good day-and-a-half worth of rest so I feel fine and ready to go back and prepare for Troy this week.”
Petrino also was asked about senior starting defensive end Jake Bequette (hamstring injury during Saturday’s first half) and senior receiver Jarius Wright (strained knee) and junior running back-kick returner Dennis Johnson (idled the first two games by an injured hamstring).
Petrino said neither Bequette nor Wright appears injured to long term effect, but that their availability for Saturday’s game will be monitored throughout the week.
“I think we’ll see some improvement here,” Petrino said. “Hopefully quick.”
Might they be more likely to be withheld Saturday with the Hogs opening their SEC season on Sept. 24 at nationally No. 2 Alabama?
“If they’re ready to play,” Petrino said, “they’ll play. It’s always a situation of what the trainers say and what the doctors say. Whether they can get the practice time in and get prepared physically and mentally to play in the game, then they’ll play. If they can’t, then they won’t play. Those two guys are seniors. They know the clock is sticking on their opportunities to play in our stadium, so I know they’re going to do everything in their power to get ready to play in the game.”
Petrino sounded the most optimistic about Johnson since injured the hamstring in preseason before Arkansas’ Sept. 3 51-7 victory over Missouri State.
“I think we’ve got a chance there,” Petrino said. “He ran last night with the guys that played in the game. He looked good running. I think we’ve got an opportunity this week that he’ll be back playing.”
TV Times
CBS announced Monday it will air the Arkansas vs. Alabama game for a 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 national telecast.
Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. Arkansas-Troy game will be televised by systems carrying CSS or Cox Sports Television.
Bailey Ballyhooed
For his part in helping the Razorbacks achieve 34 first downs and 632 yard total offense against New Mexico, Arkansas third-year sophomore guard Alvin Bailey of Broken Arrow, Okla. was named the SEC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week by the SEC Office in Birmingham, Ala.
“He graded out real well,” Petrino said. “He played physical. He played fast. He did a nice job in pass protection except for one play, I think he gave up, I don’t even know if it was a pressure, he had to come back late and get the guy off the quarterback, but he had a good game and did a nice job. He’s a guy that is very physical and can really help us in the run game.”
Troy to Test
Leading ACC power Clemson 16-13 into the second half before losing 43-19 on Sept. 3 in Clemson, S.C., reigning Sun Belt Conference Troy comes off an open date not likely to follow in the 51-7 and 52-3 footsteps of totally outclassed Missouri State and New Mexico.
“They’re a big step up,” Petrino said. “They’re a fast, good football team. They know what they’re doing. When you put the video on the first thing that jumps out is how fast they are. I told our players, we have to be at our best. We have to play a lot better than we did in the first two games.”