Multidimensional Hogs don't show all weapons

WALLY HALL
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Before the first quarter ended, it was obvious Southwest Missouri State thought the same thing most of the enthusiastic Razorbacks fans did.
To have a shot at beating the Hogs, they had to shut down Cedric Cobbs.
After his team's first possession, Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt could have, but probably didn't, smile. At least not where anyone could see.
All the razzle-dazzle he would need on this night was named Robby Hampton.
Yes, Hampton, who made his first start in a football game in six years and was more -- much more -- than anyone could have expected.
Back on his medication for a strained abdominal muscle -- something that sometimes plagued his baseball career, too -- Hampton was more than mature and a leader.
He was a sure thing passing.
Because he was, Nutt was able to keep the arsenal locked away.
It wasn't that the Razorbacks were predictable. Nutt's play-calling will never be that.
It was that those bulldozers known as the offensive line needed one possession before they started moving enough earth to bury the Bears.
That allowed Nutt to send Cedric Cobbs right and then up the middle.
When the Bears would try for the third time to put seven or eight in the box to stuff Cobbs, Nutt quietly sent in another play and Hampton would pass for a first down to Boo Williams or Richard Smith.
After his first nine passes, no one was wondering if Hampton could throw, only who his target would be.
On the Razorbacks' first scoring drive, Hampton completed passes to Williams, Smith and Sparky Hamilton for a total of 78 yards.
It wasn't until the third possession, on his 10th throw, that Hampton overthrew a receiver.
On the next down, Arkansas looked pass on second-and-10 from the SMS 30, but Cobbs showed some of his freshman fireworks and raced 26 yards, setting up an easy pass from Hampton to Marcellus Poydras for 4 yards and a touchdown.
It was simple, basic football as the offensive and defensive lines took control of the line of scrimmage
What Nutt didn't worry about hiding -- because he couldn't have if he wanted -- was obvious improvements in this year's version of the Razorbacks.
To begin with, the special teams appear to be much closer to special than in several years.
The kickoff team is a band of head-hunting warriors.
Those who don't make the tackle show their disappointment and start counting the minutes until they can race down the field and slam bodies again.
Another improvement was Carlos Hall, who for the first time was more than just raw potential.
Hall may not have done much statistically, but he gave SMS quarterback Austin Moherman a migraine.
Hall should have got an assist on Kenny Hamlin's interception in the first quarter as he beat the offensive tackle down and ran through fullback Demetrius Smith and had a hand in Moherman's face when the quarterback saved himself serious damage by getting rid of the ball.
There is no drop-off in the receiving corps despite losing Anthony Lucas.
Practically all night, Hampton had his choice of good-hands people and had the time to find them.
Of course, Boo Williams, who told Nutt early in the week he needed 10 touches in this game, was the biggest play man of the night.
Late in the third quarter, the 6-4 Williams went down the right sidelines on a fly pattern with 5-9 Donte King trying to match up.
Williams made the catch over his shoulder and then ran the final 40 yards in 4.fast to complete the 79-yard scoring play.
Senior kicker Matt Swartz tried his first field goal ever for the Razorbacks, and the 49-yarder brought the faithful in the north end zone to their feet.
Basically, the Razorbacks did just what they were supposed to do -- line up and whip the Bears.
The Bears' only success came in their plan to stop Cobbs, who they held to 57 yards on 18 carries.
Only, it wasn't anywhere close to enough because the Razorbacks are not one-dimensional.
For one thing, Alvin Ray and Fred Talley didn't look as much like backups as they did starters waiting their turn.
Mostly, though, Robby Hampton's debut as a college quarterback was a smashing success.
Join Wally and Marcus Elliott live at 6 tonight, 374-9255, Comcast Cable channel 18.

This article was published on Sunday, September 3, 2000

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