Arkansas’ offense may be struggling to score points, but the Razorbacks are becoming more confident that they are developing a big-time receiver.

Freshman Joe Adams caught five passes for a team-high 68 yards in Arkansas’ 38-7 loss to the Gators. He also had one rushing attempt for 16 yards. It was enough for offensive coordinator Paul Petrino to call Adams’ all-around performance the best of his young career.

“When Joe really just go 100 percent every single play in practice then he’ll be able to go out there and start dominating pretty soon,” Petrino said after the game. “He’s getting close to being to that point. He’s just got to learn to push himself a little harder every single play and that’s my job to make sure he gets there.”

Adams pulled down the biggest catch of the game for the Razorbacks in the second quarter, when he caught a 31-yard reception in the closing minute of the half.

He also had an exciting run on a reverse in the quarter, spinning out of tackles en route to the 16-yard gain.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said that is an area in which Adams excels. He said the most impressive thing about Adams play was what he did after the catch.

“He’s very explosive on that,” Petrino said. “He’s very natural. Playing both quarterback and running back (at Central Arkansas Christian High School), and the things they did with him there really helped that. It’s just a matter of getting him more touches.

“We had some plays called for him (Saturday) that he executed and made the catch and made the run.”

Adams is tied for second on the team in catches (18) and is second in receiving yards (225).

Adams said his performance against the Gators was much improved after a rocky game at Texas. He said he wants to continue to improve in Saturday’s game at Auburn.

“They gave me the ball,” Adams said. “I’m going to try to do the best I can to get us into good field position. I felt comfortable playing the game (Saturday).”

Cook’s Experience

Arkansas guard Grant Cook admitted to having a few butterflies in his stomach when he stepped on the field Saturday. But who can blame him? The redshirt freshman was making the first start of his career against Florida.

“It was a little bit nerve-wracking the first play,” said Cook, who started in place of DeMarcus Love (ankle). “You know, you’re running out there and it being Florida. ... But after the first play, everything was just like practice.”

Cook and the offensive line did a better job against the Gators than a week earlier, when Texas dominated the line of scrimmage. Arkansas rushed for 141 yards and squeezed out 361 total yards with two starters out.

Tackle Ray Dominguez also missed the game to be with his sick grandmother.

And Dominguez’s replacement, Michael Aguirre, left after the first snap with an injury, paving the way for redshirt freshman Grant Freeman.

“When Grant came in and he ran in the game, he had the biggest smile on his face,” Cook said. “It was great. You don’t expect all that to happen, but when it did, I think Grant stepped in and did a really good job.”

Did You See?

The Razorbacks formally introduced their new fullback when sophomore Jermaine Love latched onto a seven-yard reception in the second half Saturday.

Love, who has been a linebacker his entire career, moved to the position along with former defensive lineman Van Stumon two weeks ago when the Razorbacks were looking for help with their running game. But Arkansas called his number on a third-and-1 play against the Gators and he helped the Razorbacks convert to keep a drive alive.

“We practiced it a few times (last week) and he caught it every time,” running back Michael Smith said. “I’m glad that he got out there and was able to get a catch.”

Norton’s Return Unknown

The tough year for Arkansas cornerback Jerell Norton continued last week when the junior was sidelined by another hamstring injury. Norton — who had hamstring and hernia problems dating back to last spring — didn’t play in the loss to the Gators and his return is unknown.

“We don’t know that,” defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said when asked how long Norton would be out.

Norton has four tackles in three games this season. He also is averaging 5.2 yards on four punt returns.

Extra Points

Nose guard Zach Stadther, who started in place of Ernest Mitchell (knee) was the ninth true freshman to start a game. ... Quarterback Casey Dick was sacked four times Saturday, bumping Arkansas’ season total to 21. The mark remains last in the nation (4.2 sacks a game). ... Dick’s 220 passing yards moved him into seventh on the school’s career passing chart (4,459). He needs 132 yards against Auburn to pass Quinn Grovey (4,496) and Bill Montgomery (4,590) to move into fourth on the chart.