The Blog Hawgs

Joe Adams is one of the Arkansas wide receivers that has a chance to reach the top of the UA record books.

With half the regular season in the books for the Hogs, it is time to evaluate the annual assault on the Arkansas record book that Coach Bobby Petrino’s offense provides.

During the first three years of Petrino’s tenure, it has primarily been the passing records that have seemingly been re-written every week. With that occurring, it is natural that receiving records will now begin to fall, especially with a trio of four-year starters that will forever be linked together as receivers that help lead this program to new (and once thought to be unreachable) SEC heights.

Jarius Wright’s eye-popping performance in Jerry’s Palace against the soon-to-be conference foe Texas A&M Aggies got the record-breaking rolling this season. His 13 receptions tied the Arkansas single-game record with two former Hogs: Wear Schoonover’s remarkable mark, considering his era (1929), and the much-maligned former UA special teams coach of the 2000’s and primary 1980′s wishbone receiving threat–James Shibest. Wright’s 281 yards obliterated Mike Reppond’s old yardage record (204)by 77.

Single Season records: Wright, despite missing the 2^nd half of New Mexico game and all of Troy game, is on pace to have 72 catches, 1,200 yards, and 13 TD receptions, which would put him atop the single-season list for all 3 categories. This is a great story for Wright, who until this year, was overshadowed by his flashier teammates–Joe Adams and Greg Childs.

Career records: Coming into the season, the trio was remarkably close in all three categories.

Career receptions: Childs 10^th (112), Adams 11^th (110), and Wright 12^th (102).

Career yards: Childs 10^th (1,826), Wright 11^th (1,817), and Adams 12^th (1,758).

Career TDs: Childs 8^th (15), Adams 9^th (14), and Wright 11^th (12).

Here are the updated stats, including 2011 to this point. As you can see, Adams and Wright both have legitimate chances to become the all-time Arkansas receptions leader, and may battle one another through the end of the season for the distinction.

With former UA QB Ryan Mallett setting the bar in career quarterback statistics, we can only look at Tyler Wilson’s pace for season records. Tyler is on pace to have the most completions (293) and attempts (451) in a season, as well as having a chance to  give Mallett a run for most yards in a season. (Mallett posted 3,869 last year with Wilson is on pace for 3,855)

Stay tuned. We will continue to track these offensive stats, as well as look at the defensive side of the ball, where Jerry Franklin and Jake Bequette are tracking up some career lists.