Time to get notebook in order

Assuming you have a pulse, you should know that Arkansas opens its 2000 football season against Southwest Missouri State on Saturday in Little Rock.
And with the Razorbacks' opener only days away, it's time to clean out the preseason notebook.

Whether Jared McBride or Zak Clark will be Arkansas' backup quarterback has been a hot topic ever since Gary Brashears strolled off the practice field a couple of weeks ago. And while it's understandable that people want to know who will run the show in the event that starter Robby Hampton goes down, it seems here people should be more concerned with Hampton than his backup.
After all, we are talking about a second-year player who has thrown a grand total of 45 passes. Despite popular belief, there is more to being Arkansas' quarterback this season than turning around and handing the ball to No. 4.
Luckily for the Razorbacks faithful, this fact hasn't been lost on quarterbacks coach Joe Ferguson, who will make sure Hampton gets plenty of playing time in Arkansas' first two games before giving McBride or Clark a test run.
"We need to get him as many snaps as we possibly can and let him play as much as he can," Ferguson said. "He needs to see everything and get in a rhythm with the rest of the offense and do the best he can do, and he will. I'm not worried about that, but he needs as many snaps as anybody else."

Penn State has long been known as Linebacker U., based on its track record of producing -- you guessed it -- standout linebackers.
This leaves one to wonder if Arkansas is on the verge of becoming Wide Receiver U.
Consider that last year's Razorbacks receiving triumvirate of Anthony Lucas, Emanuel Smith and Michael Williams all currently have jobs in the NFL.
Senior Boo Williams is being touted by some as a first-round pick in next year's NFL Draft. Williams' classmate, Michael Snowden, also has the tools that pro scouts covet, and sophomore Sparky Hamilton looks like a first-rounder waiting to happen.
And who knows how good Richard Smith and Sam Breeden may turn out to be?
Somebody may want to make sure that Fitz Hill guy stays happy. Really, really happy.

If you stand around watching a football team practice twice a day for two weeks, a few guys are bound to catch your eye. So here's a rundown of a few players who haven't received a lot of preseason publicity but who you might want to keep your own eyes on this season.
DEFENSIVE END RANDY GARNER This guy has been around for five years doing nothing but getting bigger, stronger and smarter. The thought here is he could be the most underrated defensive end in the SEC.
DEFENSIVE END CARLOS HALL Because Hall has had off-the-field problems in the past, maybe it's good we haven't heard a lot about him this preseason. Hall is due for a breakthrough season, though, and opposing quarterbacks should hear from him plenty.
WIDE RECEIVER SPARKY HAMILTON Boo Williams has drawn more ink, and deservedly so, but don't be surprised if Hamilton ends up being the Razorbacks' leading receiver. At 6-4, 207, with speed to spare, Hamilton is a cornerback's nightmare.
LEFT TACKLE SHANNON MONEY Assuming your quarterback is right-handed, Money plays the most underrated position in football, the one that protects the QB's blind side. Money goes about his job with no fanfare, but that doesn't mean he's not worth watching.

Finally, a big round of applause for Arkansas' main marketing man, Matt Shanklin.
Despite being handcuffed with a stadium that isn't exactly tailgating-friendly, Shanklin and Co. are doing everything they can to add some spice to pregame festivities.
The Southwestern Bell Trough, which will be located on the intramural fields down the street from Reynolds Razorback Stadium, is a much-needed step in the right direction.

This article was published on Sunday, August 27, 2000

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