Razorbacks Report: O'Donohoe takes over for Swartz

SCOTT CAIN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

In need of a fresh start, Arkansas' kicking duties are being turned over to true freshman Brennan O'Donohoe of El Dorado for Saturday's game against 25th-ranked Georgia.
O'Donohoe replaces senior Matt Swartz, who has made 2 of 5 field goals attempts. O'Donohoe took the majority of the kicks in practice Wednesday.
"It's just a chemistry deal," special teams coordinator James Shibest said. "Let's see how this works. O'Donohoe's leg is better. He may go in there and knock everything in."
Arkansas signed O'Donohoe anticipating that he would handle the kicking job this season. But Swartz performed consistently in preseason practice the same time that O'Donohoe pulled a groin muscle, so Swartz kicked in the first three games.
Swartz opened the season by converting a 49-yard field goal. But he missed field goals of 42 and 41 yards and had a 25-yarder blocked against Boise State, and he had a 36-yard field goal blocked and did not get off an extra point against Alabama.
The problems run deeper than Swartz, Shibest said. The failed extra point was doomed by a high snap and a juggled hold. Video is inconclusive on whether Swartz still had a chance to kick it once holder Matt Burstein finally put the ball down.
"When you talk about these teams, it takes all 11 to focus," Shibest said. "I'm tired of talking about our youth but that's a little bit of it. We can't be young anymore. We've got to be an experienced football team."
O'Donohoe will kick for the entire game. Shibest said he does not like to alternate kickers because it can hurt their confidence.
"We're just looking for a change in chemistry because it's something you shouldn't have to worry about," Shibest said. "We've got to, when we get inside the 40, be able to kick field goals. We're going to get better."

COBBS' INJURY EXTENSIVE
The damage to tailback Cedric Cobbs' shoulder is more extensive than originally thought and he will have surgery Friday, Cobbs confirmed Wednesday.
Besides suffering a Grade III shoulder separation Saturday in the Alabama game -- the highest level of separation -- Cobbs sustained rotator cuff and cartilage damage. How severely those parts are injured will become clearer once Dr. John Park of Fayetteville can see inside the shoulder during surgery.
Cobbs sought second and third opinions from orthopedic surgeons William Hefley Jr. and Jack VanderSchilden on Wednesday in Little Rock and they concurred with Park's original findings. Cobbs returned to Fayetteville in the afternoon and watched the last moments of practice.
How extensive the damage is will determine how long the rehabilitation might take, trainer Dean Weber said. It's possible Cobbs won't be fully recovered by the time spring practice starts, but even at partial capacity Cobbs could participate without contact. He doesn't take hits in spring practice anyway.
Spring practice starts earlier than it ever has, last year opening in early March a week before spring break. Cobbs plans on being there.
"I'll be ready for spring," Cobbs said.
Cobbs actually tried to go another play, blocking with arm, before he left the game Saturday.

NICKEL'S WORTH FOR BEASLEY
More work could be thrown Jimmy Beasley's way in the Georgia game.
Beasley, a redshirt freshman from North Little Rock, has been playing as the extra defensive back on passing downs. He received 10 plays against Boise State and 13 against Alabama, both in the late going when the opponents were trying to rally with the pass.
Georgia likes to pass. But using the nickel back depends in part on what the defense does on first an second down. If the Razorbacks can limit the run on the early downs to force third-and-long situations, then Beasley sees more time. If the Bulldogs run successfully and create third-and-short situations, Beasley plays less.
"He's been good," co-defensive coordinator John Thompson said. "He's playing solid. That's been a good package for us."

WILSON HAS SURGERY
Surgery went well Wednesday for redshirt freshman receiver George Wilson, who dislocated his shoulder Saturday in the Alabama game, trainer Dean Weber said.
When a shoulder dislocates, the capsule holding the humerus bone tears. Surgery was done to sew the torn area back into place.
Wilson faces a sixth-month rehabilitation and might be limited or miss part of spring practice, Weber said.

GARNER'S ANKLE BETTER
Defensive end Randy Garner did not return to practice Wednesday but he talked like he'll be ready to play Saturday.
Garner has been reduced to watching because of a high ankle sprain. He practiced last Thursday but not in pads and might try to do the same today.
"It's way better," Garner said of the ankle. "Last week it was swollen and sore. It's 10 times better now than it was last week."

FRESHMAN TBS LEARNING
Ideally, a coach would like to have more than a week to prepare true freshman tailbacks to play but Arkansas doesn't have that luxury as it gives Brandon Holmes and Radale Pearson a crash course for the Georgia game.
Holmes and Pearson will back up junior Alvin Ray, who will start because Cedric Cobbs and Fred Talley are injured.
"They're probably thinking a little too much today, just wanting to do good and probably missed a few assignments," Nutt said Wednesday of the freshmen. "But overall they did some real good things."

This article was published on Thursday, September 28, 2000

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