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Razorbacks Report: Nutt: FB Stinson is Razorbacks' security blanketSCOTT CAINARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Among the dwindling players with their health intact, the one with the most experience at tailback isn't Alvin Ray, Brandon Holmes or Radale Pearson. It's fullback Rod Stinson. Stinson, a senior from Pine Bluff, led Arkansas in rushing as a redshirt freshman in 1997. He filled in when Madre Hill didn't return from a spring knee injury and Chrys Chukwuma suffered a season-ending back injury in the fourth game. Stinson missed two games because of an injury but finished the season with 413 yards and 2 touchdowns on 111 carries. Ray, a fourth-year junior who will start Saturday against Georgia, has 51 carries for 223 yards in his career. Holmes and Pearson are true freshmen. Leading rushers Cedric Cobbs and Fred Talley are out because of injuries that happened Saturday against Alabama. A torn knee ligament knocked Andre Ackee out for the season in August. "The one security blanket we have is Rod Stinson. If we just need to get out of a quarter or get out of a half, if we're backed up," Coach Houston Nutt said. "You know he's somebody who's going to secure it and knows the plays." GARNER MAKES PROGRESS Senior defensive end Randy Garner practiced Thursday for the first time this week. A sprained ankle kept Garner out of all but the first few plays of the Alabama game and Raymond House replaced him. Garner has said he feels "10 times" better this week than last, but Coach Houston Nutt said Arkansas would be lucky to get a few plays out of Garner because he missed so much practice over the last two weeks. NEW RETURNERS NAMED True freshman Steven Harris will return kickoffs, and either true freshman Radale Pearson or sophomore Gerald Howard will line up with him, Coach Houston Nutt said. Harris might also be worked into the receiving rotation. Regular returner Fred Talley is injured. Redshirt freshman Richard Smith will continue to handle punt returns, but the up-returner will be sophomore Steadman Campbell. Campbell replaces injured George Wilson. BULLDOGS DE OUT FOR SEASON Georgia defensive end Bruce Adrine is out for the season with torn knee ligaments he suffered Tuesday in practice. Three players could end up sharing time at his position, led by Josh Mallard, who has 12 career sacks. Adrine made a combined 11 tackles -- 5 of them for losses -- and 2 sacks against Georgia Southern, South Carolina and New Mexico State. GEORGIA BLOCK SPECIALIST Watching video of Arkansas' special teams had to inspire Georgia's Kendrell Bell. Boise State and Alabama, the Razorbacks' last two opponents, each blocked a punt. The Tide also blocked a field goal. Enter Bell, a linebacker who thrives on special teams, too. He blocked three punts and two field goals last season. Georgia has not blocked a kick this season.
This article was published on Friday, September 29, 2000RETURN to main pageCopyright and permissions Copyright © 2000, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. |
