FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino knows the running game must improve following a season-opening win over Missouri State.
The No. 14 Razorbacks (1-0) averaged just 3.1 yards on 33 attempts against the Bears.
Petrino blamed the Bears’ “kamikaze” defense that was aimed at stopping the run. However, he also said the new-look Arkansas offensive line must improve — as well as the team’s running backs group that is missing Knile Davis.
Davis broke his left ankle early during fall camp and is expected to miss the season, but Petrino expects junior Ronnie Wingo and the rest of the Razorbacks to improve this week against New Mexico (0-1).
Arkansas started three new linemen on offense against Missouri State. That included Mitch Smothers, who became the school’s first true freshman to start a season opener on the line when he opened at left tackle.
