FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas starting quarterback Ryan Mallett hopes the Razorbacks dominate early, so that Tyler Wilson and the reserves can log plenty of experience in Saturday’s 6 p.m. ESPNU televised nonconference homecoming game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

However, the former University of Michigan quarterback is one Razorback taking nothing for granted just because the Eastern Michigan University Eagles are 0-7.

As a freshman Michigan backup, Mallett remembers too well Appalachian State of then lower Division 1AA kicking off the 2007 season upsetting the then No. 5-ranked Michigan Wolverines, 34-32 at Michigan’s “Big House” in Ann Arbor.

“We’ve got to go perform and execute to do that,” Mallett said of establishing a comfortable lead for reserves to play, after practice Tuesday. “You can’t take anybody lightly. I know that firsthand from my first college game. You can’t take anybody lightly, because anybody can sneak up on you on any given day.”

Does that Appalachian State game really stick with him for a game like this?

“It sticks with you for your preparations to not looking ahead and knowing anybody can beat you at any time,” Mallett said. “I always will remember that one.”

Mallett also doesn’t forget Eastern Michigan’s head coach.

First-year EMU coach Ron English was Michigan’s defensive coordinator when Mallett was a Wolverine.

“Coach English is a really good person and he’s a great coach,” Mallett said. “It’s gonna be good to see him. I haven’t seen him in a while. We’re gonna try to go kick their butts, you know. We’ve got to go get a win.”

Any advantage for Mallett facing a coachwhose defense he used to practice against daily?

“Not really,” Mallett said. “They don’t really do the same stuff they did at Michigan, so it’s a little bit different.”

Any advantage for English mapping a defense against a quarterback he has known well?

“Nah,” Mallett said. “It’s been a while. A lot of things have changed.”

Tyler Wilson vows to change the memory of hislast Reynolds Razorback Stadium appearance, fumbling the exchange from center during the 44-23 SEC victory over Auburn.

Greenwood’s Wilson always quarterbacked out of the Shotgun formation at Greenwood High and has had to adjust taking snaps under center in the offense of Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.

“I think I will be fine with that,” Wilson said after Tuesday’s practice. “I took 100 snaps under center today. I haven’t fumbled in three weeks.So I don’t think the under center problem is going to be there. I think we will be all right.”

Is he preparing to play Saturday like the starters will provide him ample opportunity?

“If there is a time I come in the game,” Wilson said. “I want to be prepared and be ready and know what’s expected of me when I get in the game and have no adjustments when I get in the game.”

Sophomore wide receiver Joe Adams, withheld from games since suffering a mild stroke the week of the Oct. 10Auburn game, undergoes more tests today, Bobby Petrino said Monday.

YACs (Yards After Catches) are really big with the Petrino Brothers but those yards don’t add up if you don’t catch it first, as Jarius Wright learned.

During last Saturday’s 30-17 loss at Ole Miss, Wright, the sophomore receiver from Warren, said he was guilty of big drop from trying YAC without first securing the ball.

“I was really frustrated with myself,” Wright said Tuesday. “I shouldn’t be making that mistake anymore - trying to run before I catch the ball. That hurt my team. I know I had the cornerback beat pretty bad and I saw the safety way over there so I knew he didn’t have a chance to catch me and I just tried to run with the ball before I actually caught it.”

After catching six against Auburn, junior tight end D.J. Williams didn’t catch a pass the next two games versus Florida and Ole Miss.

Mallett and Williams insist their mutual respect is high, and Paul Petrino said Tuesday’s practice scripted more Mallett toWilliams’ passes.

Senior offensive guard Mitch Petrus said it may depend on the line to involve Williams as a receiver.

“First of all, the offensive line has got to block better,” Petrus said. “When they’ve got to keep the tight end in for protections, he’s not getting to run as many routes. We’ve got to make sure we can hold our own and pick up the blitz. We’ve got to win the one-on-one battles, so we can get him out there and open.”

Sports, Pages 7 on 10/28/2009

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