Razorbacks Report: Nutt encouraged after team turns in good practice

SCOTT CAIN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

When Houston Nutt looked at video this week of last year's game against Tennessee, something jumped out besides Clint Stoerner's game-winning pass to Anthony Lucas.
There was hope, enthusiasm and a little swagger among the Razorbacks. And that was when they trailed 24-14. Nutt didn't see nearly enough of those qualities in his players Saturday in a 38-24 loss to Ole Miss.
So after challenging the team Sunday in a 30-minute meeting, Nutt was encouraged to see them turn in what he called the most spirited practice of the year Wednesday.
The first-team offense and defense worked against each other and didn't just go through motions, he said. They quickened their step and threw an extra shoulder into each play.
Flare-ups between players happened at least four times in the last 30 minutes. In one instance, receiver Sam Breeden was knocked down by bandit Derrick Johnson after catching a pass and retaliated by nailing Johnson in the head with the football.
"That's the tempo you want them to have every time they go out, and you want them to bring it to the field," Nutt said. "The attitude and intensity that we had today is, to me, what it's all about. Now let's see if one play doesn't go our way ... are we able to say, 'Hey, that's OK. Let's go to the next play.'
"If they'll just keep coming out here with this attitude, we'll have a chance. We'll have a chance to do some special things this year."
Arkansas (4-4, 1-4 SEC) practiced inside the Walker Pavilion for the second consecutive day because of cold, wet weather. The team will go through its usual abbreviated Thursday workout before traveling Friday to Knoxville, Tenn., for Saturday's game against Tennessee (5-3, 2-3).
The Razorbacks have lost four consecutive SEC games and eight consecutive conference road games.
"When you lose, it creates doubt and you lose confidence," Nutt said. "The only thing I know to do is try to get that confidence back and try to get the spirit back. I was really surprised to see that much today. I want them to pull back a little bit tomorrow and take some with them to Neyland Stadium."

RAY TAKES LEAVE
Alvin Ray, who went from idle to starting tailback to idle again and then to defense, has quit practicing for the time being.
Coach Houston Nutt said Ray is still part of the team and did not ask to quit. Nutt had assistant head coach Fitz Hill talk to Ray on Tuesday and recommend that Ray concentrate on school, which is why he was not at practice Wednesday.
Nutt didn't clarify Ray's status beyond that.
"It's very difficult when a young man is in a starting role and now he's not in that role," Nutt said. "Coach Hill visited with him. I told him to visit with him and tell him to just concentrate on school because his heart and everything is not in it right now. He doesn't feel like he's helping the team. He's just down. He's just real down."
Ray is a junior from Dallas. He started the season on the third team and contributed to the game-winning drive against Alabama after Cedric Cobbs and Fred Talley left with injuries. He then started against Georgia and Louisiana-Monroe, averaged 1.6 yards per carry and lost the job. Last week he switched to linebacker at his request.

BUA DIALS UP HIS CHANCE
A quick but persuasive phone call gave redshirt freshman Tony Bua an opportunity, and he's earned more playing time now because he made good on his chance.
During the first quarter of the Ole Miss game, Bua picked up the sideline phone so he could not so much talk to but implore assistant coach Chris Vaughn to insert him.
"He called me on the phone when I was up in the box and said, 'Coach, put me in. I'm going to make something happen,' " Vaughn said. "When a kid tells you that, let's go see if he can and he did."
Bua made a career-high eight tackles.
Bua had been splitting time between the rover and bandit positions. Vaughn moved him to bandit exclusively this week where he will rotate with senior Jeremiah Harper.
Junior Derrick Johnson, who had been playing bandit, has been moved to backup rover where he started the season.

STATE AG WEIGHS IN
That was Attorney General Mark Pryor who called into Drive Time Sports on Tuesday to throw his support behind two issues: Houston Nutt and voting.
Pryor praised the job Nutt has done with the Razorbacks and encouraged fans to exercise patience. He also urged listeners to vote in the election.

TALLEY 'TOWS' THE LINE
It's no coincidence that the offensive line appears to be blocking better now that tailback Fred Talley has returned.
Talley and Cedric Cobbs opened the season as the top two backs and both went down with injuries in the third game. Arkansas played one SEC game without them, against Georgia, and managed just 52 yards rushing. In the three games since Talley came back from a broken hand, the Razorbacks have averaged 160 yards rushing.
"You find how good you are up front with somebody that can't see it as well or might not be as fast," offensive line coach Mike Markuson said. "You find out how average you become as an offensive line. I think that's true of any football that has a great back, that can make it happen. That helps you up front."
Junior Alvin Ray and true freshman Brandon Holmes stood in against Georgia and Louisiana-Monroe and averaged a combined 3.7 yards per carry. Talley is averaging 6.3 yards per rush for the season.
"I think he'll be the fastest back we've faced this year and probably in a long time," Tennessee linebacker Anthony Sessions said. "He doesn't lose a step when he cuts and his speed his unbelievable."

VOLS RETURNER DOWN
Tennessee kickoff returner Leonard Scott is doubtful to play Saturday because of sprained ankle.
The ankle has been placed in a cast for a week.
Scott, who led the SEC kickoff returns last season, slipped to the middle of the pack this year. But in his past three games, he's had four returns on which he averaged 36.5 yards. He also has caught five passes and has run the ball six times, scoring one touchdown.
Tailback Travis Stephens takes over kickoff returns.
Other Vols players not expected to play are defensive tackle Rashad Moore (foot) and tight end Neil Johnson (knee). Center Fred Weary (ankle) and linebacker Keyon Whiteside (ACL) are out for the season.
Will Ofenheusel (broken wrist) is probable. He's the backup right guard but rotates with starter Toby Champion.

MCBRIDE LOOKS TO 2001
It didn't take junior quarterback Jared McBride long to come to grips with the torn knee ligament that knocked him out for the season.
McBride had reconstructive surgery on his right anterior cruciate ligament Nov. 1 and has been using crutches since then.
"I think it was meant to happen for a reason," McBride said. "I think God was trying to get me to slow down in everything that I do. Everything has been so hectic for me this year all around. Now I can just slow down and concentrate on my school work and try to get my leg to normal and go from there."
McBride, who's from Nashville, Ark., was injured in the Oct. 14 South Carolina game two plays after entering. He said he was excited to play but disappointed that he wasn't sent in after starter Robby Hampton went down. Zak Clark went in ahead of McBride, who had been listed as the backup.
If the disappointment has lingered, then McBride isn't letting it dissuade him from football. He'll graduate in May about the same time that he is expected to be cleared to work out, meaning he'll miss spring practice. Then he plans to begin preparing for next season.

SIDELINES
Senior walk-on Tim Craig will make his second start at tight end but Marcellus Poydras will continue to play, assistant coach James Shibest said. ... After working at it this week, Brennan O'Donohoe, who handles field goals, will add kickoffs to his duties, replacing senior Matt Swartz. ... Reserve quarterback John Rutledge, who walked on last week and played against Ole Miss, missed practice Wednesday because he has a three-hour class that he cannot miss. ... Defensive tackle Pervis Osborne is scheduled to have reconstructive knee surgery Nov. 15 for a torn anterior ligament.

INJURY REPORT
PLAYER POS INJURY STATUS
Zak Clark QB Sprained ankle Practiced
Robby Hampton QB Sprained shoulder Practiced
Jim Ed Reed LB Hip flexor Partial practice

This article was published on Thursday, November 9, 2000

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