Hogs Practice Under the Lights Again Wednesday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas buckled up the chin straps under the lights again on Wednesday night on the grass practice fields south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium as the Hogs continue fall camp.

The Razorbacks practiced in shoulder pads and helmets for the second straight day with the first full-pads practice slated for Thursday evening.

“We had a good night, but it wasn’t as good as we wanted it to be,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “I didn’t think we finished right. We had a few too many illegal procedures, offside penalties and holding calls. We don’t want to beat ourselves. This game is tough enough.”

Sophomore quarterback Casey Dick was held out of a majority of Wednesday’s practice with a sore back.

“Casey was a little sore,” Nutt said. “Dean (Webber the Hogs Director of Athletic Training) wanted us to hold him. He went through the run polish. He went through the fundamentals. We just want to get him ready to go as we put on pads. He was just a little sore and a little tight.”

Senior cornerback Darius Vinnett was also held out of Wednesday’s workout for precautionary reasons. Vinnett is a known commodity in the secondary that the Razorback coaches want to make sure is on the field for the opener against Southern California on Sept. 2.

The play of cornerback Matterral Richardson early in fall camp has impressed the Razorback coaching staff. A big breakup on a third-and-seven play late in Wednesday’s practice drew the praise of Coach Nutt.

“He (Richardson) is having a great camp,” Nutt said. “He is making plays and is pretty sneaky. He intercepts the ball and has good hands. He has already had two touchdowns on run backs.”

The Razorbacks will hold their first practice in full pads on Thursday at 6:50 p.m. on the grass practice fields south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The first two-a-day practice of 2006 is slated for Friday, Aug. 11, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:50 p.m.