 
|
RETURN to main page
Position-by-position analysisSCOTT CAINOffense Running Back Cedric Cobbs rushed for 668 yards as a freshman and begins his second season openly shooting for 2,000. What happened to 1,000? Alvin Ray and Fred Talley will divide the leftovers. Freshman Brandon Holmes, who will split time at fullback and tailback in reserve duty, has looked too good to redshirt. Southwest Missouri State junior Jason Ringena started nine games last season and led the team in rushing (944 yards), scoring (78 points) and all-purpose yards (1,116). He averaged 5.8 yards per carry, same as Cobbs. FB Demetrius Smith is a returning starter and a transfer from Michigan. ADVANTAGE Arkansas Quarterback Robby Hampton makes his first college start as a 24-year-old sophomore. He threw only 45 passes as a backup last year so coaches would like to work him as much as is reasonable tonight, perhaps three quarters. A strained abdominal muscle that bothered him early in the week felt better Friday. SMS junior Austin Moherman transferred after playing in 14 games and making two starts in two years at Ohio State. He's 6-5, 220 pounds, and strong-armed, but not particularly mobile. Give him time to throw and he can do damage. ADVANTAGE Southwest Missouri State Receivers A dozen UA receivers could receive playing time. Senior Boo Williams scored a touchdown for every seven passes he caught last year. Michael Snowden returns for his senior season after redshirting last year. SMS' Sean Adams and Maurice Flournoy are legitimate deep threats. Adams averaged 17.7 yards per catch and scored seven TDs last year. Flournoy transferred from Ole Miss. ADVANTAGE Arkansas Line Four starters return from a unit that allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC last year (14). RT Brett Shockley (strained arch) is questionable. Gary Hobbs will start if Shockley can't. If Shockley is ready, they will share time. One starter returns for SMS, RG Jake Harriger. LG Elliott Smith, a junior college transfer, weighs 340 pounds. Arkansas' starters average 314 pounds, SMS's 286. ADVANTAGE Arkansas Defense Line Strongside end Randy Garner (suspension) is out and redshirt freshman Raymond House will start in his place. Rush end Carlos Hall begins his quest to make up for an underwhelming sophomore season after an off-season of improving his technique. SMS returns three starters and is led by LT Luis Almanzer and RE Mario Turner, a third-year starter. Almanzer transferred from Nebraska in 1999 and led the Bears with 10 sacks. Arkansas averages 275 pounds, SMS 259. ADVANTAGE Arkansas Linebackers This should be the Arkansas defense's strength with seniors Quinton Caver and J.J. Jones, who have either started or played regularly most of their careers. Caver is a rangy 6-5 menace. SMS senior Corky Martin is the school's fifth-leading career tackler (383). ADVANTAGE Arkansas Secondary Big plays were a problem last year for Arkansas, too few made and too many given up. Four of the five positions are manned by new starters and the one returner, CB Orlando Green (hamstring), is out. Green is the team's best cover man. SMS CBs Onjai Bryant and Donte King are transfers from Wisconsin who started for the Bears last year. Neither made an interception though, and they'll give up 6 to 7 inches to some of Arkansas' receivers. FS Mike Gailey of Russellville has nine career interceptions. ADVANTAGE Arkansas Special teams Arkansas coaches will hold their breath a little here. It's been a soft spot in recent seasons and questions still linger. Senior walk-on K Matt Swartz is untested but has a strong leg. Redshirt freshman Richard Smith will try to infuse life into punt returns, as will Fred Talley on kickoff returns. P Richie Butler has a live but, at times, erratic leg. SMS ranked first in I-AA net punting, fifth in punt returns and 11th in kickoff returns last year but lost its kicker-punter and punt returner. The Bears blocked five kicks last season. ADVANTAGE Arkansas Key Matchup Arkansas TB Cedric Cobbs vs. SMS LB Corky Martin Cobbs led the Razorbacks in rushing last year with 668 yards (5.8 per game) and Martin ranks fifth in career tackles (383) for the Bears. Cobbs combines speed and strength, while Martin is slower but no less aggressive. Cobbs weighs as much as Martin, 225 pounds.
This article was published on Saturday, September 2, 2000RETURN to main pageCopyright and permissions Copyright © 2000, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. |
