Key matchup

QUINTON CAVER VS. UNLV RUSHERS
Arkansas defensive coordinator John Thompson calls senior inside linebacker Quinton Caver the obvious focal point of a unit that hasn't allowed an offensive touchdown in the last nine quarters.
"His level of play,'' Thompson said, "will be in direct relation of the defense's level of play.''
A consensus first-team All-SEC selection, Caver had a team-high 58 tackles and 10 sacks during the regular season. His challenge Thursday will be shutting down one of the most potent rushing attacks in the country.
Caver said Arkansas ha sn't seen a scheme like UNLV's, based largely on misdirection and option plays with senior running back Jeremi Rudolph (1,005 yards rushing this season) and sophomore quarterback Jason Thomas (599 yards), the Mountain West Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
UNLV's average of 227.8 rushing yards a game is 13th-best nationally. Arkansas ranks 46th nationally in run defense, giving up an average of 139.1 yards a game.
-- Robert Yates

This article was published on Wednesday, December 20, 2000

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