Razorbacks block out bright lights, get to business

SCOTT CAIN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

LAS VEGAS -- Many of Arkansas' players found out how easy it is to lose track of time in this 24-hour light show, but they didn't lose their priorities.
The Razorbacks (6-5) went to work Sunday preparing for the Las Vegas Bowl on Thursday against UNLV (7-5), many of the players practicing on a few hours of sleep.
Coach Houston Nutt did not place a curfew on the team Saturday night. Players thanked their coach by showing up on time for practice the next day.
"We reacted pretty well after the travel and staying out all night and having fun," senior linebacker J.J. Jones said. "We're down here to win the football game, and everybody knows that's what we're down here for. We came out and went to work. I think the weather has something to do with it, too."
Temperatures pushed into the 60s, and with an intense sun radiating on the field at Desert Pines High School, it felt like April. Players broke a serious sweat, something that has been difficult to do back home. Freezing weather forced the team inside the Walker Pavilion most of the past two weeks.
Receiver Richard Smith said he even felt like he ran faster Sunday than he did in recent workouts on campus because he was able to stretch out better in the warmth.
It was the best practice the team has had in a week, if not longer, "once we got them up, got them going," Nutt said. "It was a short night for most of them. But I tell you, we really had a good day today."
Defensive players picked up on coordinator John Thompson's schemes that they had practiced in Fayetteville without having to be re-taught. Arkansas started using Thompson's multiple schemes in Week 10 of the season and added more wrinkles during the bowl practices in Fayetteville.
Offensive players showed a quick first step and did not fumble, and the quarterbacks and receivers had sharp timing.
Quarterback Robby Hampton's throwing looked "just as good, if not maybe a little ahead" of where he was in September before he sprained his shoulder and suffered other injuries in October.
"I just remember the time he ... could barely lift his shoulder up and didn't have the true air speed that we know he can throw the ball with," Nutt said.
That isn't a problem now. Hampton has been throwing deep routes with zip and accuracy for two weeks.
The warm weather doesn't hurt when you're trying to loosen up your shoulder, either.
"You can't ask for much better weather than we've got here," Hampton said. "It's nice to be out of the cold, frigid weather back in Fayetteville."
The last few times the Razorbacks practiced, they didn't accomplish as much as they wanted to. Ironically, they might have been more distracted at home than here because they were balancing final exams and were going stir crazy in the routine of class, practice and studying.
The receivers, in particular, struggled late last week without their coach, Fitz Hill, who took the head coaching job at San Jose State. Hill rejoined the team for practice Sunday and will work his last day for Arkansas in the bowl.
With the bowl being played two days earlier than a normal regular-season game, Nutt treated Sunday like a typical Tuesday practice. Tuesdays are the first big work day during the fall. The difference this time is the coaches installed the game plan last week.
Players are still watching a few videotapes of the Rebels, but for the most part they have the game plan down, Jones said.
Practices are in the mornings to allow the team time to attend bowl-related functions during the afternoon and take in the city at night.
As the game draws nearer, they'll need to take in less and turn in earlier.
"Everybody's taking care of their business," Jones said. "We're down here to play football first."

This article was published on Monday, December 18, 2000

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