Basketball Betting

Arkansas WR Adams proves toughness after stroke

NCAA Football Betting Lines

12/31/2009 -

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -Joe Adams fearlessly ran his route over the middle, then was hit so hard his helmet popped off. Moments later, the Arkansas receiver was back near the same spot on the field, catching a crucial touchdown pass.

That sequence - near the end of a loss to LSU last month - summed up the season for the Razorbacks' talented sophomore. Shortly before an October game against Auburn, Adams suffered a mild stroke. Less than a month later, he was back on the field, helping his team embark on an impressive late-season run.

``I've just never been one of those guys that gets knocked down and stays down,'' Adams said.

Arkansas, which won four in a row before falling to LSU in it regular season finale, will play East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday.

Adams was a prized signing for the Razorbacks in 2008. After initially picking Southern California, the Little Rock product decided to stay close to home as part of coach Bobby Petrino's first class at Arkansas. For two seasons, he's been everything the Hogs could have expected, starting 13 games and providing a big-play threat whenever he touches the ball.

Most impressive, however, has been his toughness - especially after his health scare about three months ago.

Strokes are commonly associated with older people, but even someone like Adams - who turned 20 last month - can be at risk. Al Gordon, a medical director for the Arkansas athletic department, didn't want to disclose details of Adams' case, citing student privacy. Gordon did, however, discuss how a stroke can affect younger people.

``Typically in a younger person like this, there may not be an obvious neurological deficit,'' Gordon said.

Adams said he was stricken during a weightlifting session.

``The word stroke makes it sound worse, but I was just having a real bad headache,'' Adams said. ``Like a real bad migraine.''

A stroke is caused by lack of blood flow to an area of the brain - the severity depends on the area affected. Adams missed three games, starting with an Oct. 10 win over Auburn. He returned Oct. 31 and caught three passes for 109 yards in a victory over Eastern Michigan.

``I know what it takes to come back from something like that, the attitude that you have to have, the positive attitude that you have to have, the determination that you have to have, the desire that you have to have, the work habits that go into it,'' Pirates coach Skip Holtz said.

``To be able to come back and do the things that he's done since coming back from it, and what he's been able to overcome and what he's doing right now on the field, I think, is truly special.''

Adams finished the regular season with 28 catches for 553 yards and seven touchdowns, and despite missing a quarter of the season, he was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by The Associated Press.

``He missed three games, but I still thought he should have been first team,'' Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett said.

His most memorable performance came late in the fourth quarter against LSU in the regular season finale. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound Adams was hit at the goal line by defensive back Chad Jones. Adams lost his helmet in the frightening collision, and Jones was penalized for helmet-to-helmet contact.

``Hey, he was 6-3, 230,'' Adams said. ``I was surprised he didn't knock me out for good.''

The drive ended when Adams caught a 14-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, giving Arkansas a 30-27 lead with 1:18 remaining. Although the Tigers rallied to win in overtime, Adams had made quite an impression.

``I knew how tough Joe was when we were in high school,'' said Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams, who attended Central Arkansas Christian with Adams. ``I was a senior, and we were playing a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. I had all the studs on my team. It was just Joe, and he picked up a couple not-so-good players. They almost won. I guarded him, and it felt like he was about 300 pounds, about 7 feet.

``He was just a tough athlete. He's just a great kid to have on our team.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.