Las Vegas Bowl matchups

RUNNING BACK
Most likely, Brandon Holmes won't carry the ball 42 times like he did last time out against LSU, but it is likely that he will handle all of the carries. He rushed 58 times for 238 yards and 3 touchdowns in the past five quarters, using a strong, straight-ahead style. UNLV uses a combination of former Florida State signee Jeremi Rudolph and former Washington State 1,000-yard rusher Kevin Brown, both seniors. Rudolph rushed for 1,005 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and 9 TDs and had six 100-yard games. Brown rushed for 788 yards (5.3 ypc). They run a lot of misdirection plays, something Arkansas hasn't seen much. UNLV ranked 13th nationally in rushing (227.8 yards per game) and Arkansas ranked 53rd (150.3).
ADVANTAGE UNLV

QUARTERBACK
For the first time since early October, Robby Hampton is healthy and throwing the ball with good velocity. In the first five games when he was healthy, Hampton threw 11 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions and averaged 204 yards passing. He should be more effective on every type of pass, especially rollouts and deep balls. UNLV's Jason Thomas can create plays if the called play breaks down (he has seven runs of 20 yards or more) and he is dangerous in the option. But a sprained foot that has dogged him since midseason apparently has not healed, because he has been favoring the foot in practice. Thomas has completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,708 yards, 14 TDs and 9 interceptions.
ADVANTAGE None

RECEIVERS
After spending much of the season handcuffed with short routes, the receivers will be turned loose more tonight. Coaches want to try to use the height advantage of five and six inches against UNLV's DBs. Boo Williams played on guts the last month with a dislocated shoulder and sprained ankle, finishing with 52 catches for 739 yards and 7 TDs. He's healthy again. Richard Smith set a school freshman record with 33 receptions. UNLV's Nate Turner gave cornerbacks fits with his size (6-3, 200 pounds) and athleticism, leading the Mountain West Conference with 947 yards receiving and 10 TDs. Troy Mason is a deep threat, averaging 18 yards per catch.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINE
This wasn't the kind of year that was expected from a group with four returning starters, struggling especially in power run blocking. But the line finished strong. Shannon Money is nearly healthy again at LT and La'Zerius White has quietly put together a sound season. UNLV has excelled in run blocking but struggled in pass protection (26 sacks). RT John Greer was a consensus all-conference pick and has started 44 of 45 games during his career. The Rebels' starters average 291 pounds, the Razorbacks' 314.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINE
SEC teams pushed around the Razorbacks' front until the scheme changed and the Hogs allowed just 152 yards rushing in the final two games, an average of 2.3 yards per carry. They also got a fumble recovery (DE Jermaine Petty) and sack (DE Randy Garner) in the those games. UNLV has one of the smallest fronts Arkansas has faced at an average of 265 pounds, and it's not the most physical bunch either. DE Anton Palepoi (38 tackles, 8 sacks) can get to the quarterback. No defensive lineman ranks among the top nine tacklers.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINEBACKERS
You can make a case that Quinton Caver won the past two games almost by himself, making goal line tackles on the last three plays at Mississippi State and returning an interception for a touchdown against LSU. J.J. Jones also played the best of his career in those games. They'll have to play most of the way tonight with some help from Jim Ed Reed because Corey Warren quit after the LSU game. UNLV lost its best inside run stopper, James Sunia, to an injury in the fifth game. He was the conference's leading returning tackler and preseason all-conference. True freshman Ryan Claridge (59 tackles) has taken that spot. Shanga Wilson ranks second in tackles (79). Neither player has forced or received a turnover. Arkansas ranks 46th nationally in run defense, UNLV 49th.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

DEFENSIVE BACKS
CB Orlando Green reclaimed the starting job two games ago from a worn down D'Andre Berry, who has since moved to nickel back and upgraded that position. FS Ken Hamlin led the team in tackles (104) and made two interceptions. UNLV SS Randy Black makes plays (61 tackles, five turnovers). CB Kevin Thomas, a first-team all-conference pick, has seven interceptions and three touchdowns in two years. The Rebels have allowed more than 300 yards passing in each of the past two games. Arkansas ranks second nationally in passing yards allowed (153.0), UNLV is 52nd (210.8).
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

SPECIAL TEAMS
Arkansas never has found consistency in FGs or kickoffs, juggling three different kickers. Brennan O'Donohoe (4 of 6, misses of 35 and 22 yards) will handle FGs and extra points. Nobody in the SEC punted better than Richie Butler the second half of the season and he finished 15th nationally (42.8). PR Steadman Campbell (dislocated ankle) is out, so Steven Harris will make his debut there and will continue to return kickoffs. UNLV's Ray Cheetany missed five extra points through seven games, including two that lost the Colorado State game, eventually costing the Rebels the conference title. Dillon Pieffer replaced him and has hit 6 of 7 FGs with a long of 38 yards. Cheetany still handles kickoffs and punts, averaging 41.3 yards, which is decent, but 4 yards less than last season. PR Troy Mason was first-team all-conference, averaging 16.4 yards to rank seventh nationally. He returned one for a TD against New Mexico. Arkansas ranks 24th in net punting, UNLV 33rd.
ADVANTAGE UNLV

INTANGIBLES
This is a home game for UNLV in more than just the stadium and crowd. The Rebels haven't been dazzled by the city's bright lights because they live here. Arkansas' players spent the first three nights soaking in the various forms of entertainment, staying out of trouble but tiring their legs. UNLV Coach John Robinson has the best bowl winning percentage of all active coaches who have been in at least eight games (7-1 record, .875). And it was clear this week that several of the Razorbacks' freshmen and sophomores were not taking UNLV has seriously as they should.
ADVANTAGE UNLV

This article was published on Thursday, December 21, 2000

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