April 18, 2008

Fayetteville, AR (UWIRE) -- Alex Mortensen had to take a breath following practice early in the week. After an extra-long Bobby Petrino-style scrimmage, Mortensen and a few other players stayed on the field to run a series of wind sprints.

Only after most of his teammates were in the locker room was Mortensen able to call it a day. With sweat pouring down his face, he needed some air before speaking about his new role as second-string quarterback.

"It's exciting to get this opportunity and I'm grateful, but I definitely need to step my level of play up," Mortensen said. "A lot is expected of the quarterback and that's the way it should be."

A topsy-turvy collegiate career has landed Mortensen back in Fayetteville and behind senior Casey Dick on the depth chart. After redshirting his freshman year with the Razorbacks in 2004, Mortensen played behind former Arkansas quarterback Robert Johnson in 2005.

In 2006, he transferred to Samford where he played eight games. Mortensen transferred back to Arkansas in 2007 and ran the scout team during a year of ineligibity.

With the hire of Bobby Petrino, Mortensen now attempts to master an offense more reliant on the passing game. Aiding Mortensen is incoming quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee.

At Northwestern University, McGee served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2006 and 2007. Last year, his spread offense led the Big Ten in passing and ranked No. 11 nationally with 307.9 yards per game.

"Coach McGee runs the meeting room like a good professor would," Mortensen said. "It's as if you were in a classroom, and he breaks things down to being very organized and structured. I've learned an unbelievable amount of football, especially in the details."

Mortensen is no stranger to the analytical side of football. Last season, though only playing on the scout team, Mortensen routinely watched game film of upcoming opponents. Sometimes the footage was video he taped himself off of television.

The knowledge gained from time spent alone studying film is what Mortensen hopes to transfer to the field this season.

"As far as identifying things, I can see it on the board and I can see it on a projector," Mortensen said. "Now I have to get where I can break the huddle, approach the center, and have it look the same."

Increased practice reps are one way in which field-awareness is being drilled into Mortensen and the rest of the quarterbacks. However, Petrino is also urging Mortensen to improve his speed.

"He needs to get us out of the huddle quicker," Petrino. "He also needs to understand the tempo a little bit more."

Mortensen has talked about "taking the next step" and has expressed his eagerness to fulfill his potential in the new system.

"There was a learning curve at first," Mortensen said. "Now it's time to really grasp this, run the show, and take control of the offense."

Mastering the offense alongside Mortensen will be Dick. The two quarterbacks first teamed up for the Razorbacks in the 2005 season, in which Dick snagged the starting spot for the final four games.

"Casey and I have a good relationship and I'd say it's a friendship," Mortensen said. "We have a lot of classes together. All throughout the day whether it's over the phone or on campus, we're talking football."

Though Dick and Mortensen currently sit atop the depth chart this spring, what happens between now and opening kick-off next fall in uncertain. However, for Mortensen, the next step is clear.

"The learning phase is about over," Mortensen said. "Now it's time to start executing."

(C) 2008 Arkansas Traveler via UWIRE