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Game 6 KENTUCKY 1 p.m., Oct. 6 Columbia, S.C. The Gamecock rates the opposition... Passing: # # 0 § Rushing: § # Pass Defense: $ Run Defense: § § Overall: # # 2001. projected record: 3-8 Game 7 at ARKANSAS 7 p.m., Oct. 13 Little Rock, Ark. The Gamecock rates the opposition... Passing: # # Rushing: # # # $ Pass Defense: # # $ # Run Defense: § § § Overall: # # # 2001 projected record: 6-5 ' Nickname: Wildcats Head Coach: Guy Morriss (1st year) 2000 Record: 2-9 (0-8 SEC) 2000 vs. USC: Lost 20-17 in Lexington BY CHRIS FOY THE GAMECOCK Last year is one the Kentucky Wildcats would like to forget. After posting a 2-9 record, they were slammed with nearly 20 NCAA vio lations. Hal Mumme was sent pack ing and offensive line coach, Guy Morriss, was given the job of turn ing this team around. Despite Kentucky’s dismal 2000 season, Morriss remains optimistic. “Our kids think we have enough talent and they’re good enough to win enough games to get us back in a bowl. If we can get everybody fo cused and playing together, during any given season who knows what will happen.” Offense Although Morriss is a former lineman, the offensive philosophy for the Wildcats hasn’t changed - air it out. Behind the hefty arm of 275 pound quarterback Jared Lorenzen, UK will rely more on their passing game than their running. However, last year that plan hurt Kentucky, as they threw more picks (21) than touchdowns (19). Lorenzen will have one of the best tight ends in the SEC to throw to, as Seth Hanson is relied on to catch a lot of passes. Chad Scott re turns to lead the ground game. Defense For a defense that struggled throughout the 2000 season, new de fensive coordinator John Goodner has installed a 4-2 defense. Leading his defense will be David Johnson, who brings power and speed to safe ty DeWayne Robertson and Jeremy Caudill have the ability to be pow erful run-stoppers. Outlook In light of 17 NCAA violations, UK’s main concern is to get solid footing to compete in the SEC. Although UK might not have a large amount of confidence in Morriss af ter signing him to a one-year con tract, he thinks he has his team in the right direction. “Aren’t most coaches one bad year away from losing their job?” Morriss said. “We can make some progress here in one season.” MSU Dunn-led defense makes Bulldogs SEC West favorite CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 made by replacement Korey Banks. Outlook Sherrill has been consistent at MSU, leading the team to bowl games in its last three seasons. Make that four. With a veteran offense and a defense that al ways comes together, you can ex pect the Bulldogs to be a leading contender for the SEC West ti tle. Nickname: Razorbacks Head Coach: Houston Nutt (4th year) 2000 Record: 6-6 (3-5 SEC) 2000 vs. USC: Lost 27-7 in Columbia BY PRESTON BAINES THE GAMECOCK The Hogs come into the season feeling confi dent among a logjam of teams in the SEC West. Coach Houston Nutt has reason to be confident with his team’s strong running game and solid defense. “I see a team that has worked really hard since we got back in January,” Nutt said about his team. “I feel good about our team. I know we have a long way to go, but I feel good about the steps we are taking to get there.” Arkansas opens the season looking for re venge against the team that knocked them off in the Las Vegas Bowl 31-14 last season, Nevada-Las Vegas, in front of a newly expanded Razorback Stadium. Offense The Hogs have one of nation’s top running backs in Cedric Cobbs. Cobbs was one of the SEC’s leading rushers before getting injured and missing most of the season. Cobbs and backups Brandon Holmes and Fred Talley should have big seasons behind the Hogs’ big offensive line. Sophomore quarterback Zak Clark will come out as the Hogs’ starter in game one. Clark, though, will surely be pushed when junior Robby Hampton returns from injury. Both Clark and Hampton struggled through last season, com bining for 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Arkansas doesn’t return many receivers this season, Richard Smith is the leading returning receiver, with 33 catches and 320 yards last sea son. Defense The Hogs should once again have one of the strongest secondaries in the SEC. Last year’s SEC-best returns key players Corey G. Harris and Ken Hamlin, as well as several others with the ability to stop even the best passing attacks. The defensive line certainly isn’t the best the conference has to offer, but it can still hold its own. Lead by a pair of good defensive ends, Carlos Hall and Raymond House, the Hogs should be able to put pressure on the backfield. \ Arkansas is also thin at the linebacker posi tion. After losing the four top tacklers from a year ago, the Hogs will be looking to senior Jermaine Petty from Inman, S.C., to fill the holes in this weak area. Outlook The Hogs appear to be an improved team from last season’s injury-riddled year. If _Wk 1 Cedric Cobbs is healthy again and that means trouble for Razorback foes, special rOTHE GAMECOCK Arkansas can find replacements at receiver and linebacker, the rest of the SEC could hit a bump in the road when facing the Hogs. An upset or two could put Arkansas right in the hunt for the SEC West championship. Interested in writing for Gamecock Sports? Come to our interest meeting Wednesday, Sept. 5 7-30 n m Russell House 205