College Football
Thursday, December 30
Arkansas confident entering contest
Associated Press

DALLAS -- Mismatches between Arkansas' lanky receivers and Texas' pint-sized cornerbacks begin with Mike Markuson's guys.

Markuson coaches the Razorbacks' offensive line that includes a freshman and three sophomores. Texas tackles Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers were both All-Big 12 and Hampton was one of seven semifinalists for the Outland Trophy.

"Their two inside guys are very disruptive," Markuson said. "I know every O-line coach who has played them has has probably said, 'Wow, what are we going to do to slow them down.' I feel like we have a great plan going into the game."

No. 24 Arkansas (7-4) plays No. 14 Texas (9-4) Saturday in the Cotton Bowl.

The Razorbacks gave up 14 sacks this year -- best in the Southeastern Conference -- and the Longhorns recorded 43.

Markuson says the ability of skill players like Anthony Lucas and senior quarterback Clint Stoerner to get out of a bad play contributed a great deal to the low number of sacks.

On top of that, he said, coach Houston Nutt "really tries not to put our line in a bad situation where, OK, we can't handle this kind of protection against these people. We're going to try to do this to give us the best chance to protect and get rid of the football."

He said the Longhorns will probably start the game believing they can pressure Stoerner with their front four.

"Then, we'll probably start seeing different combinations of blitzes," he said. "They have shown a lot of different looks. We've prepared as best we can to be ready for just a barrage of blitzes and different fronts."

He said Texas' fondness for the blitz is similar to Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference.

"I think it really comes down to, 'We're going to blitz you and we're going to put pressure on you and try to get some push up front.' Now, can you hang on playing man coverage with our receivers? It's gonna be jump ball.

"How we handle it up front and Clint, what kind of rhythm can we get in?" Markuson said. "If we can establish some kind of running game and be able to protect where Clint can get the football off, then we're going to have a chance, because we'll have some one-on-one matchups where they'll ... blitz and we'll have some man coverages out there."

Arkansas' wide receivers include the 6-foot-3 Lucas and 6-foot-4 Boo Williams. The Texas cornerbacks are 5-foot-8 Ahmad Brooks and 5-foot-9 Ervis Hill, both sophomores.

"Even though they might have that size, they can all run and they've got those animals up front," Markuson said. "If they're getting pressure and they lock up playing man and staying with our receivers, we're going to have trouble.

"I've seen some of those guys make plays this year -- just watching the whole year on tape -- you've got to come ready to block them because they are very disruptive," he said.

Markuson said there had been specific games in which the Arkansas offensive line has looked like a veteran group and other games in which the line didn't do so well.

"I really feel like we have a bright future with the offensive linemen we have and some of the young kids we have coming," he said. "Going into the season, that's all we heard, `Can we hold up?' I feel like we have."

Saturday, Markuson's group will be on the spot once again.

ESPN.com: Help | Ad Info | Contact | Tools | Site Map
Copyright ©1999 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy are applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities at ESPN.com.


Game could be precursor to Texas QB situation

Arkansas d-coordinator in an audition

Arkansas' Barrett has hands full with Cavil

ESPN NETWORK: ABC Sports | Fantasy | Store | Insider
.