Razorback capsules

RUNNING BACK
After the running game struggled in a two-week experiment with TB Alvin Ray, Arkansas will give true freshman Brandon Holmes his first start. Holmes is bigger, hits the hole faster and can shake tacklers better than Ray, but he's also not Cedric Cobbs (shoulder), who's lost for the season. TB Fred Talley returns from a broken hand and FB Adam Daily from a sprained ankle, and that combination should help open up the sweep again. South Carolina's Derek Watson leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally in all-purpose yards (176 ypg) and averages 6 yards per carry. Even though the Gamecocks use a spread formation, they run more often than they throw. Watson is the key. Fumbling has been a problem though, and he was slowed some this week with a deep thigh bruise.
ADVANTAGE South Carolina

QUARTERBACK
Robby Hampton continues to pass efficiently. He's tied for second in the SEC in TD passes (11), has thrown four interceptions and is coming off a game in which he threw with more zip and made quicker decisions. But he's still a rookie with five starts and he'll see some defensive tricks for the first time today. South Carolina's Phil Petty has 10 career starts. He's thrown just three interceptions in six games but only four TDs. Injuries kept him out of the second half of last season but he has stayed healthy this year. It's Hampton's first road start.
ADVANTAGE South Carolina

RECEIVERS
Boo Williams hasn't been a factor in SEC games (four catches, 37 yards, no TDs) because defenses have schemed him out. Richard Smith leads the team in receptions (22), but more help is needed from Michael Snowden, Sparky Hamilton and TE Marcellus Poydras. It's still a talented group. South Carolina senior Jermale Kelly was racking up catches and TDs against good defenses even in the team's dark years, and he's the go-to target now. Brian Scott emerged last week with eight catches for 157 yards and a TD against Kentucky.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINE
Bodies returned this week putting the line in the best shape it's been in three weeks. LT Shannon Money (ankle) and RG Kenny Sandlin (ribs) aren't 100 percent, but they're getting close and can play. Nathan Ball will start in front of Money because he played so well last week. South Carolina LT Travelle Wharton bruised his shoulder in practice Tuesday but will play. He's a true freshman but he has been the most consistent lineman. The Gamecocks aren't quite as experienced or strong as the Razorbacks.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINE
This should be the first SEC game that DE Randy Garner is able to play in for significant time and that should improve a line that was pushed around in two league games. NG Curt Davis has been a steady presence. South Carolina is led by its interior linemen, Cecil Caldwell (three sacks) and Cleveland Pinkney. DE Dennis Quinn drops back on the zone blitz, which is how he intercepted two passes against Georgia. DE Kalimba Edwards is really an outside linebacker with Gamecocks usually in a 3-3-5 defense.
ADVANTAGE South Carolina

LINEBACKERS
Arkansas' best player, offense or defense, hasn't been completely healthy but Quinton Caver still has been good enough to stop about one-fourth of the opponents' plays. He has uncanny speed for his size. J.J. Jones returned an interception for a TD last week against Louisiana-Monroe. South Carolina misses its leading returning tackler from 1999 Kenny Harney (broken leg). ILB Andre Offing leads the team in tackles and has returned a fumble for a TD.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

DEFENSIVE BACKS
This has been the surprise of the team with former backup CBs Eddie Jackson and D'Andre Berry shoring up the secondary after moving up because of injuries to the starters. FS Ken Hamlin hasn't made a lot of big plays but he leads the team in tackles and stays in position. South Carolina SS Rashad Faison (shoulder) is questionable. Besides being the team's second-leading tackler, he is the one who often rushes on the zone blitz, where he's a terror to quarterbacks. The Gamecocks bend but rarely break. CB Sheldon Brown is the best SEC DB that you haven't heard about. He has four interceptions and nine pass breakups.
ADVANTAGE South Carolina

SPECIAL TEAMS
Arkansas and South Carolina rank close to each other in net punting, punt returns and kickoff returns but the Gamecocks have not experienced the major breakdowns that the Hogs have. USC's weakness has been K Reid Bethea, who has missed four field goals of less than 40 yards but has made a 49-yarder. Arkansas K Brennan O'Donohoe has been bothered again lately by a groin pull and might not have his full range. UA's kickoff coverage has improved substantially.
ADVANTAGE South Carolina
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas' defense against South Carolina TB Derek Watson
If the Razorbacks are going to win, they probably will need the defense to provide turnovers and favorable field position. The best chance of doing that is loading up against the run and trying to pound Watson, who has had trouble holding onto the ball in almost every game. But Watson is hard to defend in the Spread offense that stretches the defense from side to side. He's a cutback runner with breakaway speed who has scored eight touchdowns and is especially dangerous on the draw play. He gained all of his 215 yards against Eastern Michigan on draws.

This article was published on Saturday, October 14, 2000

RETURN to main page

Copyright 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.