Hogs' rush gets to Bears quarterback

MARTY COOK
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

The Arkansas Razorbacks reintroduced Austin Moherman to the joys of playing an attacking Division I defense, although the joy was all Arkansas'.
Moherman, a fourth-year junior, spent three years at Ohio State and started two games a year ago for the Buckeyes. He transferred after the season to Division I-AA Southwest Missouri State and earned the starting position for the Bears.
Moherman's abilities and experience were expected to be a good first-game test for a rebuilt Arkansas secondary that was replacing former standouts David Barrett and Kenoy Kennedy, who are rookies in the NFL.
Trouble was, even without suspended starting end Randy Garner, the Razorbacks' pass rush didn't give Moherman time to take advantage of any weaknesses in Arkansas' defensive backfield.
"That's their style, they get after it and they get the rush going," said Moherman, who completed 8 of 18 passes for 51 yards and 1 interception and was sacked twice in three quarters. "They were getting in there pretty fast. They weren't sacking me, but they were up in there.
"Even though we had three-step drops, I was still getting popped. I wasn't able to get back there and relax."
Moherman was sacked once in the first half, and that came after he bobbled a snap in a Shotgun formation. By the time Moherman gained control of the ball, defensive end Jermaine Petty and two other Razorbacks were in his face. Moherman wisely ducked and covered.
"We could tell they were young corners and they were playing bail, getting those guys out of there to protect deep," Moherman said. "We just didn't have enough time to go deep."
While not sacking Moherman in the truest sense of the word in the first half, Arkansas' defense still let him know it was around.
Moherman was hurried several times, resulting in incompletions, and he was planted twice after releasing the ball, once by Quinton Caver and once by Carlos Hall.
"We watched them on film and they don't always play sound, but they have the athletes that can make up for it," Moherman said. "They get away with it. We had young guys up front.
"Everybody was making the case about the experience thing, but we're a young team, as well."
Caver's hit in the first quarter drew a 15-yard penalty because he hit Moherman with the crown of his helmet, but the hit had its effects.
Although Moherman showed poise and toughness in the pocket, he knew he had to get rid of the ball quickly.
"I have to give the guys a chance," said Moherman, who limped off the field with a sore right ankle. "I can't hang on to the ball forever. I was getting hit after I released."

This article was published on Sunday, September 3, 2000

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