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WR
Marcus Monk (PHOTO: University of Arkansas) |
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2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Houston Nutt
55-33,
7 years |
2004
Record: 5-6 |
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NEW
MEXICO STATE |
WON
63-13 |
TEXAS |
LOST
20-22 |
LOUISIANA-MONROE
|
WON
49-20 |
ALABAMA |
WON
27-10 |
at
Florida |
LOST
30-45 |
at
Auburn |
LOST
20-38 |
GEORGIA |
LOST
14-20 |
at
South Carolina |
LOST
32-35 |
MISSISSIPPI |
WON
35-3 |
at
Mississippi State |
WON
24-21 |
LOUISIANA
STATE |
LOST
14-43 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2005
Outlook |
The
2004 Razorbacks did something that
has not been "achieved"
for seven consecutive seasons in Fayetteville:
they missed out on the postseason.
The Razorbacks expected rebuilding
and then dealt with it. But this year
will likely prove that was an aberration.
The
O-line is again stocked with proven
guys who specialize in the three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust
style favored by Nutt. While Jones
will be tough to replace, none of
the candidates need to do what he
did - carry the offense, and therefore
be anticipated and stoppable, as Jones
was. But a suspect defense means shootouts,
so look for progress here to soon
equal bigger numbers, but not necessarily
more wins.
The
defense won't again be an Achilles'
heel; it was so much so in 2004 that
long-time Nutt assistant, defensive
coordinator Dave Wommack, was let
go in the offseason. With new coordinator
Reggie Herring, look for his aggressive
style to surge the Razorbacks into
the top third (he just finished leading
the No.1 pass efficiency and total
defensive categories while at N.C.
State). His specialty being secondaries
will help with the Hogs' weakest area.
Strong frontline play here will allow
the LBs to "speed" up the
DBs progress.
Nutt
has proven himself a strong recruiter
and motivator, but (off-the-field)
issues continue to affect his campaigns.
An expected down year in the SEC west
sure doesn't hurt, but there is another
juggernaut lineup of strong teams
that Arkansas' slate just never seems
to run out of. Defending champ (at)
USC is third up, part of five midseason
games that will force improvements,
least of all through hard lessons
via competitive losses. Ending with
lower-state rival LSU will be their
bowl precipitous - a win/loss here
and they play/stay home in late December.
As the winningest coach of SEC home
games over the past eight years (40),
we will see Nutt again paste foes
and make his team feared - Houston,
we won't have a problem here anymore,
thanks to you
Projected
2005 record: 6-5
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ARKANSAS
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 2.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 4 |
.. |
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RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Robert Johnson, 19-10-1, 209 yds.,
3 TD
Rushing: De'Arrius Howard,
124 att., 529 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Marcus Monk, 37
rec., 569 yds., 6 TD
Scoring: Chris Balseiro, 4-7
FG, 40-41 PAT, 52 pts.
Punting: Jacob Skinner, 29
punts, 36.6 avg.
Kicking: Chris Balseiro, 4-7
FG, 40-41 PAT, 52 pts.
Tackles: Vickiel Vaughn, 66
tot., 47 solo
Sacks: Keith Jackson, 2 sacks
Interceptions: Michael Coe,
2 for 7 yds.; Lerinezo Robinson, 2
for 29 yds.; Vickiel Vaughn, 2 for
92 yds., 1 TD
Kickoff returns: Peyton Hillis,
7 ret., 18.3 avg., 0 TD
Punt returns: Kevin Woods,
1 ret., 17.0 avg., 0 TD
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LB
Pierre Brown (PHOTO: University of Arkansas) |
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ARKANSAS
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|
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 9 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Matt Jones-QB, DeCori Birmingham-TB,
Carlos Ousley-WR, Steven Harris-WR,
Gene Perry-OG |
DEFENSE:
Arrion
Dixon-DT, Jeb Huckeba-DE, Marcus Whitmore-SLB |
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2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
The Razorbacks are looking here, and there
is plenty of sophomore talent waiting. Heralded
quarterback Alex Mortensen would give the
club a more classic drop-back passer, and
he is quick to boot. Robert Johnson is similar
in attributes to Mortenson, but is even
faster and bigger. Johnson took advantage
of a Matt Jones injury during 2004 spring
drills - he showed accuracy and arm strength
in his few real-game insertions (three TDs
in 19 attempts), meaning he has the advantage
and would have to be outplayed to be displaced,
a good omen for the team. FL/KR Cedric Washington
can always use his lightning skills here
(recruited as the No. 13 dual-threat QB
- Rivals.com) in a pinch, so expect the
offensive scheme to remain similar to that
of last season's - improvising will again
be at a premium.
Running
Back
Things here, too, will be more of the same,
with too many qualified backs log-jammed,
creating the kind of problems coaches love
to have. This will keep legs fresh in the
power-rushing, ball-control style favored
by Nutt. Senior TB De'Arrius Howard will
handle the majority of the reps after waiting
his turn, and this north-south-style bruiser
is primed for a breakout campaign. Howard
was second to Jones in rushing and had six
scores despite not starting. Even bigger
is Peyton Hillis, who started twice and
can swing to fullback or halfback, is a
solid pass catcher, whereas Howard was void
of any receptions last campaign. Ostensibly,
role playing will ensue, and Hillis finds
himself getting close to as many reps due
to this, watch. Heralded recruit Darren
McFadden may be too talented to redshirt.
An athlete like him is rare, so watch to
see if his natural talents will be inserted/needed.
FB Brandon Kennedy, though smaller than
a few of the "TBs" on roster,
is a bruising compacted force who will see
more passes come his way than runs (opponent
alert
he had no runs in '04, but one
of his two catches was for six).
Receiver
As a freshman, 6'6" Marcus Monk will
again be the big playmaker of this unit.
The SEC all-freshman is a favorite endzone
target, so a leader-by-example is in place.
Chris Baker and Cedric Washington represent
size-speed combinations that will keep making
big plays until double-teamed. Baker in
particular is a solid deep threat who's
23+ yards per grab mean the field is easily
stretchable and a safety is constantly committed
(especially with the TEs employed). Washington
is just too good to sit and wait, so the
former-QB is helping out here. Newbie Cedric
Logan is also too highly-touted to get bench
splinters, so realize how the depth and
talent of this unit will make the QB transition
seamless.
Offensive
Line and Tight End
Progress here in '04 gradually occurred,
and despite having zero experience, this
group gelled by the end and will be vastly
improved. Junior Tyler Morgan will be the
only replacement, as he takes over at right
guard, so continuity here, too, should be
a big bonus. Robert Felton and Matt Gilbow
finished out the season at tackle and proved
to be solid enough to both be named to the
SEC all-freshman team. Senior LT Tony Ugoh
will use his athleticism to regain (after
a midseason kidney stone) his lock as the
team's best pass protector. (Discus thrower)
Ugoh can handle those speedy rush-ends and
LBs, and offers a quicker contrast to the
behemoths adjacent to him, like fellow starting
tackle Zac Tubbs. The senior returns (from
a broken left fibula) to make this the best
outside running team in the SEC (west?).
They were good enough to open holes to the
tune of 4.4 yards per try (22nd-ranked run
offense) and allowed merely 14 sacks. Health
here is vital, with limited focus in the
last two recruiting classes.
Jared
Hicks and Mason Templeton both play a big
role in the Razorback power-rushing game
- with their size, each is basically an
extra tackle when running. But don't be
fooled by their low pass-catching numbers
into thinking that they are just extra o-linemen.
Marc Winston has been able to bulk up, and
as the fastest of the TEs, look for him
to impact the modest yardage production
this position has recently produced. This
unit gives the Razorbacks a HUGE advantage
in opening up the middle and/or underneath
for passing, and further enables those wide
runs.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
While the Razorbacks will miss Matt Jones,
Mortensen and Johnson are entirely competent
and both are stellar talents. But they will
need some time to grow and can't initially
be relied upon in case of a big fourth-quarter
deficit. But these guys are playmakers,
and Nutt will use the QB competition to
the team's favor
one of them will be
a hero before long. Thanks to a solid offensive
line to accompany a strong group of backs
and much speed at the helm, the bread-and-butter
of this team (run it 60+%) will remain strong,
making any needed "regrouping"
due to QB changes flow well. Foes will not
expect the rapid pace at which this side
of the ball will pick up steam, and early
tests (USC, 'Bama) will tell just how far
they have to go and if they can compete
for the West crown.
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C
Kyle Roper (PHOTO: University of Arkansas)
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ARKANSAS
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Robert
Johnson-So (6-2, 212) |
Alex
Mortensen-Fr (6-2, 208)
Cole Barthel-Fr (6-2, 210) |
FB |
Brandon
Kennedy-Sr (5-11, 238) |
Peyton
Hillis-So (6-2, 238) |
TB |
De'Arrius
Howard-Sr (6-0, 228) |
Kyle
Dickerson-Sr (5-9, 197) |
WR |
Cedric
Washington-Jr (6-0, 191) |
Anthony
Brown-Jr (6-6, 223) |
WR |
Marcus
Monk-So (6-6, 224) |
Chris
Baker-Jr (6-1, 198) |
TE |
Jared
Hicks-Sr (6-6, 280) |
Mason
Templeton-So (6-7, 258) |
OT |
Tony
Ugoh-Sr (6-5, 303) |
Jose
Valdez-Fr (6-6, 305) |
OG |
Stephen
Parker-Jr (6-4, 308) |
Chase
Pressley-Jr (6-4, 310) |
C |
Kyle
Roper-Sr (6-3, 291) |
Skye
Peterson-Jr (6-2, 291) |
OG |
Robert
Felton-So (6-4, 322) |
Jonathan
Luigs-Fr (6-4, 298) |
OT |
Zac
Tubbs-Sr (6-6, 358) |
Nate
Garner-So (6-6, 319) |
K |
Chris
Balseiro-Sr (6-1, 215) |
Rusty
McEntire-Jr (5-10, 172) |
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2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Fresh from N.C. State's top I-A unit, DC
Reggie Herring has qualified talent to replace
the departees. Sophomore DE Marcus Harrison
proved himself as only a true freshman and
will only improve. Big sophomore Fred Bledsoe
should explode with his size-speed combo,
mixing in the middle with the proven push
of starters Jeremy Harrell and Keith Jackson
to form an under-300lb. middle that needs
more girth to really compete in this conference.
After allowing 4.6 per carry and achieving
only 16 sacks, this crew has its work cut
out so as not to again be an albatross (ranked
82nd for run-stopping) around the still-emerging
back-seven's neck.
Linebacker
Senior Sam Olajubutu is a physically small
LB with a nasty disposition that allows
him to overcome size issues and really excel
in coverage. Other MLB Clark Moore sees
lot of reps as a flip-side to Olajubutu
- Moore's size makes opponent's rushing
attack earn every inch. Pierre Brown brings
needed ground-halting force all the way
to the (strong) sideline. Nutt isn't afraid
to put in his heftier safeties as depth
in an effort to disguise schemes and keep
opposing OCs guessing with different personnel
packages. This group is a marginally strong
one and is ominously the strength of the
defense.
Defensive
Back
First the good news: all of the starters
from last year's group are back. The bad
news? They gave up a ton of yards, and efficient
ones at that. With a year of experience
under their belts, the secondary should
be marginally improved, how much improved
will speak volumes for where the entire
team is headed. Vickiel Vaughn and Lerinezo
Robinson will again be the core of the secondary,
as both held their own and contributed as
well as could be expected with the needed
aid at CB (SEC all-frosh nickel-back Michael
Grant had the only (1) TFL for a safety).
Darius Vincent proved to be the shining
element from the CB crew; his compadré
Mike Coe had the only two CB-INTs, and all
of the DBs combined only broke up 15 passes
(MLB Olajubatu led them with four). Eight
three-star- (or better) DBs have influxed
in the last two classes, so help is on the
way. Size and speed sure exist back here,
and our respect for CB-coach Bobby Allen
says that he gets his unit together by keeping
the play in front of them until they can
use press coverage effectively.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Defense played a big role in the Hogs' odious
four-game slide against the SEC's best and
new coordinator Reggie Herring was brought
in from North Carolina State, accordingly.
The line play will improve, but size issues
against big, speedy (major SEC) foes will
surface so that a good showing here one
week will easily be replaced by a marginal
one the next. Once the Hogs' line is sturdy,
talented LBs can be liberally applied to
bolster the nickel- and dime-packages; doing
such would keep foes from recognizing Arkansas'
schemes and then going predictably longer
- into their current weakness. Finishing
65th in passing defense but 106th in the
all-important efficiency category exemplifies
the constant burnt toast smell coming from
War Memorial, but pass-stopping expert Herring
will change the odor here surprisingly quickly
to sweet success. When you see the Razorbacks
start to blitz whenever needed, then you
will know this secondary is again ready
to hold its own. We felt Arkansas played
the nation's toughest slate (see 2004's
Strength of Schedule on our site), and with
2005 not offering much solace, expect another
losing record if this group fails to finish
in the top half for total effort, which
we don't expect.
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DB
Vickiel Vaughn (PHOTO: University
of Arkansas)
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ARKANSAS
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Jamaal
Anderson-So (6-6, 262) |
Zach
Snider-Fr (6-3, 234) |
DT |
Marcus
Harrison-So (6-3, 300) |
Fred
Bledsoe-So (6-3, 313) |
NG |
Jeremy
Harrell-Jr (6-2, 282) |
Keith
Jackson-Jr (6-0, 302) |
DE |
Desmond
Sims-Jr (6-3, 228) |
Michael
Tate-Fr (6-4, 253) |
SLB |
Desmond
Williams-Fr (6-2, 217) |
Weston
Dacus-So (6-2, 235) |
MLB |
Pierre
Brown-Sr (6-0, 227) |
Sam
Olajubutu-Sr (5-9, 227) |
WLB |
D'Nerian
Wrighter-So (6-1, 212) |
Clarke
Moore-Sr (6-2, 245) |
CB |
Michael
Coe-Jr (6-1, 182) |
Chris
Houston-So (5-11, 180) |
CB |
Darius
Vinnett-Sr (5-9, 170) |
Michael
Grant-So (5-11, 185) |
SS |
Vickiel
Vaughn-Sr (6-0, 204) |
Dallas
Washington-So (6-0, 190) |
FS |
Lerinezo
Robinson-Sr (6-0, 191) |
Randy
Kelly-Jr (6-0, 188) |
P |
Jeremy
Davis-So (5-9, 200) |
Jacob
Skinner-Jr (6-3, 212) |
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2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Chris
Balseiro needs to get back to his old form of
11-of-15 ('03) and overcome his latest 4-of-7
performance. He has been strong inside the 40
(12-of-15 career mark), which allows for big-leg
junior Rusty McEntire to handle KOs. Coverage
here was as dismal as the defense, so expect progression
that parallels the level of developments there.
Punter
Jeremy
Davis seems to have the edge on Jacob Skinner
for the nod here. Sophomore Davis averaged close
to three yards more, and had more fair catches
(8 vs. 3) while attempting four fewer than the
junior Skinner. Obviously, rare depth at this
position is more key than marginal stat differences,
so Arkansas will improve with two established
guys, each hungry to replace the other. Net results
will strengthen for the same reasons we say the
KO coverage will, though decent already (five
total kicks blocked, too).
Return
Game
Cedric
Washington returns KOs, but needs to display more
soon or the kiddies swarm in. He will also get
a chance to replace Birmingham returning punts.
Pierre Brown is the top playmaker on special teams
- he became the first-ever Razorback to return
a blocked field goal for a touchdown in 2004.
We predict true frosh speedsters Darren McFadden
and/or Felix Jones are too good to wait, and will
be inserted early and often, and will help UA
to finally get a score this way.
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