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Razorbacks Report: Freshmen set to get starts against Boise
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE A sure mark of a quality team is filling unexpected holes quickly, co-defensive coordinator John Thompson said. A wave of cornerback losses will test Arkansas' quality over the next two weeks as it prepares to play Boise State on Sept. 16. Junior starter Harold Harris is out for at least six weeks with a broken radius that happened Saturday against Southwest Missouri State. The other starter, junior Orlando Green, missed the opener because of a strained hamstring and is not expected to practice this week. Top reserve D'Andre Berry is suspended for the first half of the next game for swinging at an SMS player Saturday. Freshman Lawrence Richardson, talented enough that coaches believe he could start sooner than later, is ineligible for the time being. The bright side? Thompson doesn't have to think long about who to use in practice. Redshirt freshmen Eddie Jackson and Kevin Baker took most of the turns Monday. True freshman Bo Mosley, who played only on special teams Saturday, suddenly moves into the picture. "It breaks our heart that Harold Harris did all the things that he did," Thompson said. "He worked hard in the spring, in the summer and had a great camp. It's an unfortunate deal. "The next guy comes up, the next two guys step up. That's the way good football teams are. [Players] get opportunities, they wait for that opportunity." If nothing changes, Jackson and Baker would be the No. 1 cornerbacks against Boise State. Preparing them becomes priority No. 1. "Instead of putting them in the oven, now it goes to the microwave," Thompson said. But it's very possible something could change before then. While Green's hamstring problem could linger, he might also be ready after resting this week. Nobody knows for sure. Or he could be ready enough to play some safety or serve as the nickel back. Backup free safety Jimmy Beasley or Mosley could work as the nickel back. Rover Corey Harris could move to cornerback. And Richardson could be eligible. A reply from the NCAA on Richardson's eligibility appeal should come by Wednesday. If it is denied, Richardson is considering suing the NCAA, which would start with trying to get an injunction to allow him to play immediately. Richardson has continued to practice with the regulars rather than the scout team. For now, Thompson is counting on Jackson and Baker. They "handled their business" against Southwest Missouri State and, he said, he expects them to do the same against Boise State. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Arkansas had a hard time beating nonconference opponents under its first three coaches in the 1990s, but that has changed under Houston Nutt. In eight seasons under Jack Crowe, Joe Kines and Danny Ford, the Hogs went 14-10 in regular-season games outside the SEC with an average score of 19-18. In Nutt's third season, the Razorbacks are 7-0 against nonconference teams with an average score of 39-8. NO LETTING UP It's a bye week in name only. Coaches cracked the whip Monday in the first practice after Saturday's 38-0 victory over Southwest Missouri State. They stressed discipline and effort. It galled Coach Houston Nutt that the Razorbacks piled up eight penalties for 88 yards. D'Andre Berry was ejected for swinging at an SMS player. Veteran players drew illegal procedure and holding calls. The defense lined up incorrectly a couple of times. The positive side was that there were no turnovers and the defense swarmed to the ball. Most of the time. There also were a few plays where the defense relaxed. "I think after our team saw the film, they felt like, 'You know what, Coach? We can do so much better than that,' " Nutt said. "And they're exactly right. If you have that attitude of always wanting to do right and always wanting to get better, you've got a chance." Coaches spent Monday's workout correcting mistakes on offense, defense and in the kicking game. Nutt said the punt return team was "so close" to breaking one return for touchdown. "It's amazing what one step, one block will do," Nutt said. SEVERAL OUT THIS WEEK Cornerback Harold Harris is scheduled to have surgery today for a broken radius, the forearm bone above the thumb side of the wrist. Harris was injured during the third quarter of Saturday's victory over Southwest Missouri State when teammate Ken Hamlin finished a tackle that Harris had started. Cornerback Orlando Green (hamstring), tackle Brett Shockley (arch) and tight end Nathan Ball (shoulder) are not expected to practice this week, sports information director Kevin Trainor said. Receiver Michael Snowden might be able to practice late in the week. Tight end Cameron Glenn was to have an X-ray on his foot Monday. Results were not immediately available. BACKUPS SPLIT TIME Freshman quarterback Zak Clark took several snaps with the second team Monday, but assistant coach Joe Ferguson said nothing has changed on the depth chart. Junior Jared McBride remains the backup to Robby Hampton and Clark is No. 3, Ferguson said. McBride and Clark split time working with the No. 2 unit. SIDELINES Senior defensive end Randy Garner missed practice Monday because of an illness in his family. Sophomore Raymond House worked in his place. ... Linebacker Quinton Caver practiced, but he did not run sprints afterward and limped noticeably while walking. Caver has been hampered by tendinitis in his knee, Coach Houston Nutt has said.
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