Nutt still not ready to name QB for Auburn game

BOB HOLT
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt still isn't ready to name a starting quarterback for Saturday's game at Auburn, but it appears he may have two healthy choices.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Robby Hampton and freshman Zak Clark, who both were injured in the Razorbacks' 27-7 loss at South Carolina on Oct. 14, were able to go through team workouts Sunday when the Razorbacks resumed practice after having the weekend off.
Hampton, who suffered a sprained thumb on his throwing hand, a strained neck and bruised knee, took most of the first-team snaps and appeared to move well.
Clark, who sprained his right ankle, obviously is still slowed by the injury but took some snaps.
"Robby is moving a lot better than Zak right now," Nutt said. "Zak is better than he was [last week], and we expect even more improvement, but he's still just a little gimpy."
Nutt said he isn't ready to name a starting quarterback yet for the Auburn game, but that he is leaning toward Hampton, who has started every game this season for the 4-2 Razorbacks.
"I'd say most likely Robby would start, but we'll just go through the week here and look at things," Nutt said. "But going by [Sunday's practice], we'd say Robby would start."
Sophomore center Josh Melton, who suffered a concussion in the South Carolina game and didn't practice last week, practiced Sunday.
"I haven't had a headache since Thursday morning," Melton said. "It felt really good to be back out there after not having any contact the whole week."
While Melton practiced without any apparent problems, it's possible there could be a switch in the starting offensive line this week.
Junior Kenny Sandlin, who has started at guard the last two seasons, played center last week in Melton's absence and also worked at center Sunday with redshirt freshman Scott Davenport working at right guard.
"It's not so much about those two guys [Melton and Sandlin] as much as how Scott Davenport is improving," offensive line coach Mike Markuson said. "You're always trying to get your best five on the field, regardless of who it is.
"I'm trying to get the best combination out there, and Scott's really made a lot of improvement and Kenny is a good center, so that's something we're looking at."
Senior Boo Williams, Arkansas' leading receiver with 24 catches for 436 yards and 4 touchdowns, remains sidelined with a dislocated shoulder he suffered against South Carolina.
"There's still a slight chance he could play," Nutt said of Williams' availability for the Auburn game. "It just depends on how he is feeling this week."
The Razorbacks will be off today in keeping with their normal game week schedule and will resume practice on Tuesday.

Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville said Sunday that sophomore wide receiver Ronney Daniels, who leads the Tigers (6-2) with 29 catches for 344 yards and two touchdowns, has a sprained ankle.
"It did swell some [Sunday]," Tuberville said. "He's day-to-day, we really won't know anything until Tuesday's practice."

This article was published on Monday, October 23, 2000

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