Position analysis

OFFENSE
RUNNING BACK
Brandon Holmes makes his second start (the other was South Carolina) in place of Fred Talley (ACL), who last week became the third tailback to be lost for the season to an injury. Holmes is a strong straight-ahead runner, who averages 4.7 yards a carry and rushed for 95 yards and 2 TDs in the last quarter and overtime period against Mississippi State. Radale Pearson, a speed back, will be used some, too. LSU's LaBrandon Toefield (knee sprain) is expected to play. He averages 4.1 yards and has scored 5 TDs. When he missed the Ole Miss game two weeks ago, Domanick Davis filled in with 106 yards. Devery Henderson has break-away speed. All three will play.
ADVANTAGE LSU

QUARTERBACK
The biggest concern here is whether Robby Hampton can make it through four quarters without reinjuring his sprained shoulder. He has not started and played a game unscathed since Oct. 7. His shoulder improved this week. Hampton has completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 13 TDs and 8 interceptions. LSU's Josh Booty has played two distinct seasons -- 7 TD passes and 10 interceptions in 5 games and 10 TDs and 3 interceptions in the last 4 games. He's completed 52.9 percent of his passes and ranks second in the SEC at 228.4 yards per game. LSU ranks 16th in pass efficiency, Arkansas 99th.
ADVANTAGE LSU

RECEIVERS
Boo Williams has reinforced why he's considered a high-round draft pick by playing through a dislocated shoulder the last four games, in which he's made 21 receptions and scored 3 TDs. The other receivers have taken turns contributing in spots, but nobody has helped Williams consistently. LSU's Josh Reed is a converted tailback who piles on yards after the catch. He leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally at 111.1 yards per game and has scored 10 TDs. Reggie Robinson burned the Hogs last year for 5 receptions, 154 yards and 2 TDs. TE Robert Royal has scored 4 TDs in just 14 catches. No Arkansas tight end has caught a pass in the last five games. Particularly scary to UA coaches is the deep comeback route that Reed runs.
ADVANTAGE LSU

LINE
After a rocky start, this unit has put together some solid performances. It helped immensely that TB Fred Talley returned from an injury and created some yards on his own, but he's out again and the line faces a bigger challenge without him. RT Gary Hobbs regained his starting job last week and graded out high. LSU C Louis Williams is the veteran leader of a group with talented youth on the left side. Williams has played every position in his career and started at three positions this season, giving him a better handle on making line calls. LSU has allowed 12 sacks, Arkansas 17. LSU ranks 71st in rushing, Arkansas 52nd.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

DEFENSE
LINE
DEs Randy Garner and Carlos Hall, quiet much of the season, made plays last week. Garner delivered a sack and batted down a pass, while Hall made a career-high 12 tackles often dropping back as a linebacker. With the shift in schemes last week, the linemen change positions, occasionally stand up or drop back to try to confuse the blockers. LSU doesn't have as much experience as it would like here, but 20-year-old true freshman RT Chad Lavalais has good speed. DE Jarvis Green, the team's best pass rusher the last two years, is playing better after a disappointing start to the season.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINEBACKERS
Quinton Caver is coming off an SEC player-of-the-week performance (2 sacks, 10 tackles, including three game-savers in overtime). J.J. Jones looked faster than he has all season playing in the revamped scheme. Bandit Tony Bua figures more into the new system and has made 19 tackles in the last two games. They're the second- and third-leading tacklers. LSU might have the SEC's best linebacker combination in Bradie James and Trev Faulk. Both are consistent run-stoppers and lead the team in tackles. James also is used out of a three-point stance to pass rush and has five sacks to show for it. Faulk has recovered 3 fumbles. LSU ranks 44th in run defense and has allowed eight rushing TDs, while Arkansas ranks 50th and has allowed 15.
ADVANTAGE LSU

DEFENSIVE BACKS
CB Orlando Green has reclaimed his starting job but could be prone to lapses. CB Eddie Jackson (neck sprain) returns after missing one game, and that's a plus because he's a solid tackler. FS Ken Hamlin leads the team in tackles (98). LSU's defensive backs have flourished under Coach Nick Saban's teaching. It's an aggressive group that plays a man-to-man and zone mix. If there's a weak spot, it's the right cornerback where three different players have been used. CB Fred Booker, a three-year starter, has 9 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Arkansas has eight interceptions, LSU nine.
ADVANTAGE LSU

SPECIAL TEAMS
Against Mississippi State, Arkansas blocked a field goal and was credited with a second when the kicker drilled the back of his left guard. Richie Butler continues to have one of the best punting seasons in school history (44.2 avg., leads SEC), and kick coverage has tightened up. Brennan O'Donohoe has converted 4 of 5 FGs with a long of 38 yards. LSU's John Corbello has hit 9 of 17 FGs, with a long of 47 yards, and 2 blocks. P Donnie Jones is averaging 36.5 yards. Both teams rank in the middle of the pack on punt returns. LSU ranks 30th in kickoff returns, Arkansas 105th.
ADVANTAGE None

This article was published on Friday, November 24, 2000

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