Four named AP All-SEC

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Four members of the Arkansas Razorback football team have been named second-team All-SEC by the Associate Press, it was announced on Monday.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett, sophomore wide receiver Joe Adams and senior offensive lineman Mitch Petrus have been named second-team All-SEC offense. Currently, Arkansas leads the SEC in scoring offense (37.3), passing offense (303.3), passing touchdowns (31) and red zone offense (96 pct.).

Mallett is directing the unit and is doing more than averaging a record every time he sets foot on the field. In 12 games as a Razorback, Mallett has set or matched 16 different school records. He leads the SEC and ranks 15th nationally in total offense (282.2). He also leads the league and ranks eighth nationally in passing yards per game (285.2) and he is first in the SEC and sixth nationally in pass efficiency (157.8)

Adams has a touchdown catch in seven of nine games played this season and has at least one catch in every game of his career. He ranks third on the Razorback roster for receiving yards this season with 553 and fourth in catches with 28. He leads the Razorbacks in average yards per catch at 19.7 and ranks tied for first in touchdown catches with seven.

Petrus played in and started 12 games at offensive guard for the Razorbacks. He was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Eastern Michigan (11/2). Against Eastern Michigan, Petrus and the offensive line gave the Arkansas quarterbacks time to combine for 19-of-27 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. The line also paved the way for the Razorbacks to carry the ball 30 times for 292 yards and three touchdowns. The UA offensive line did not allow a sack against Eastern Michigan, marking the second game this year the Razorbacks have not allowed a sack.

Senior defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard has been named to the second-team defense. He ranks tied for 94th in the nation in tackles for loss (.92) and is tied for 10th in the SEC in tackles for loss. Arkansas’ leader in tackles for loss (11.0-39) and is tied for third in sacks (2.5-19), he had multi-tackle games in nine of 12 contests in 2009. Sheppard currently ranks tied for third on Arkansas’ career tackles for loss list with 37.0 for 130 yards.

Preseason, he was named to the Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Lombardi and Outland Trophy Watch Lists and was first-team preseason All-SEC (Birmingham News) and second-team preseason All-SEC (media, coaches).

Arkansas will play Conference USA Champion East Carolina in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2010, in Memphis. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.