Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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'Che Gamecock Sports Extra Cobbs to carry Razorback offense GAME 7 October 14, 2000 Williams-Brice Stadium 1 P.M. by Kyle Almond The Gamecock A warning to Arkansas Razorbacks oppo nents: Cedric Cobbs says he’s better than last year. I am about six or seven pounds bigger this year and a lot stronger," the Razorback tail back said. "I am just as fast or faster than last year. My bench press is around 400 pounds, which is 50 or 60 more pounds than last year." That’s a scary thought to those who have to stop Cobbs, a 6’2", 220-pound sophomore that averaged nearly six yards a carry in his freshman season. Despite splitting time with senior Chrys Chukwuma, Cobbs found a way to shine in big games. He rushed for 107 yards on 15 carries in Arkansas upse of Tennessee, and in the team’s Cotton Bowl victory agains Texas, he took offensive Most Valuable Player honors after gain ing 98 yards on 15 carries. Over the entire season, Cobbs set a school record for rush ing yards by a freshman, with 668 yards. Now, with Chukwuma and quarterback Clint Stoemergrad uated, Cobbs becomes the focal point of the Razorback offense "This year we want the ball in his hands as much as 25 oi 30 times per game," said Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt "He is stronger than he was last year and just as fast. He is everj bit as far along at this stage of his career as Barry Sanders was.' Nutt is counting on Cobbs to help the Razorbacks make i to a bowl game for the third consecutive season. But this sea son, expectations are different. In last season’s SEC pre-season poll, Arkansas was picket to finish first in the SEC West. This year, however, the order ha; been reversed. The "Hogs" are picked to finish last in their di vision. "We thought people would give us more respect after thi past two seasons," saidlinebacker Quinton Caver. "But it does n t matter what people think about us. We still have to go out there and get it done." Caver heads a defensive unit that lacks size but compensates with a heavy dose of speed. "Defensively, we are led by Quinton Caver, Randy Gamer, and Carlos Hall," Nutt said. "We have great speed, but we are probably not as big as we should be. If we are missing any thing it is a 6’6" guy, but I’m excited about our speed." Gamer and Hall bolster a defensive line that has Nutt and the coaching staff excited about their potential. "Randy is a great effort player," said defensive line coach Bill Johnson. "He always plays at a high level." "Carlos Hall made more improvement than any player on our defensive line all spring." The Razorbacks’ principal concerns are at the quarterback position and in the second ary. After losing Stoemer, Nutt has had a tough time deciding on a permanent replacement at quarterback. Sophomores Robby Hampton and Gary Brashears are competing for the po sition. So far, the slight edge goes to Hampton. ii me lira day oi preseason practice was tne day we played our first game, Kobby would start," Nutt said. "Gary would play too. That’s our plan right now. In the season open er against Southwest Missouri State, we will play both of them." "[Hampton] has great presence and is a real good leader," Nutt says. "Gary Brashears is a talented guy who can throw the ball, but he doesn’t quite realize what he is about to get into." Carlos Hall expected to play a key role on the Arkansas defensive line in upcoming season. Vandy much improved GAME 8 October 21, 2000 At Vanderbilt 7 P.M. With a sleu of returning starters, an upbeat coach and airattitude that is unflappable, the 2000 Commodores have everyone asking if their first bowl appearance since 1982 is at hand. by Jared Kelowitz The Gamecock Vandeibilt head coach Wbody Widen hoffer feels that one of his teams biggest assets this year is their returning experience, as well as their increased depth. The Commodores return seven offensive and nine defensive starters from a team who finished 5-6 last season. t r rr .i • mi i LXrtUlllg U1C UUC1I5C 11115 ^Crtl Will UC junior quarterback Greg Zolman. As a soph omore last season, Zolman passed for 2,059 yards, the best by a Vandy QB in 11 years. With these impressive totals, the standout was able to move into the seventh spot on the Commodores all-time career passing list, in just his second season. And despite all this acclaim, Zolman still had to battle for his job this spring in camp. The man Zolman was battling was junior Tim Olmstead, a transfer student from the University of Florida. “1 think he (Zolman) really took the challenge this spring, and it helped to make him an even more complete player,” Widen hoffer said. “It is a very competitive posi tion, and it is nice to have some depth there.” Joining.Zolman in the backfield will be junior tailback Rodney Williams. Last season Williams rushed over 100 yards in four games. For the year Williams compiled 644 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Backing up Williams will be the burly Jared Mcgrath, who has compiled 1,624 yards rushing in three sea sons. As for who Zolman will be tossing the pigskin too, Coach Widenhoffer singles out senior tight end Elliot Canon. “Carson will be a major key to our success this season,” Widenhoffer said. Carson has caught 25 passes in the both of the last two seasons and was an All-SEC second teamer in 1999. Three of his 25 receptions last season were for Vandy TD’s. Along with this apparent high-powered of fense returns a defense very rich in experience. The defense is led by junior Jaimie Winbom. Winbom is a pre-season All-American, and is named as the best inside linebacker in college football, by multiple publications. Last season Winborn accounted for 95 solo tackles, and 46 assists for an impressive total of 141 times bring ing down the opposition. Winbom also compiled 5.5 sacks and led the team in tackles for a loss, with 23 for a negative 67.0 yards. As if Winborn isn’t enough, his partner in crime outside linebacker Matt Stewart is equal ly impressive. Stewart led the team in sacks last year with 6.5, and compiled 92 total tackles. With all these accomplishments on their im pressive resume the question still remains, is this the team to break the 17 year streak? Vanderbilt linebacker Jamie Winbom led the SEC in tackles last season. Now he looks to lead his team to their 1 st bowl l--— -—-—--—' im 1 Can Vandy end Its 17-year bowl drought?