Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GAME 9 Jones to anchor Razorbacks with quick delivery Arkansas at USC TBA Saturday, Nov. 6 Williams-Brice Stadium TV: TBA By ALEX RILEY THE GAMECOCK Folks, the game plan is simple. Dump the ball to Matt Jones in the lane, he kisses it off the glass and in for the hoop. ■Oh, wait. Wrong sport. Whether or not Jones is on the basketball court or the football field, he is a major part of the Arkansas game plan, especially the football one. Jones, who seems never to graduate, comes back as a senior this fall and looks to pick up right where he left off. Jones is a dual threat with the ball, as his 6-feet-6-inch frame allows him to see over the offensive line with little effort. He also has incredibly fast feet, totaling over 1,900 yards in his three years on the team with an average of more than 50 yards per game. While he is a running threat, Jones also throws the ball with ease, as his 3,784 career passing yards can attest to. His trophy case could also get some new hardware, as he is a candidate for the Davey O’Brien and Johnny Unitas Awards given to the nation’s top quarterback. Jones’ battery mate Cedric Cobbs finally exited the Razorback program. Taking his place is the capable DeCori Birmingham, who, even with Cobb’s 1,000-yard season, managed a respectable 549 yards, with a 42.2 average per game. Added to that are De’Arrius Howard and Kyle Dickerson, who could see good amounts of playing time this fall. The problem for the offensive backs is, who’s blocking for them? The Hogs return no personnel from last year’s squad, and only four of the listed linemen have any major experience beyond more than 20 snaps. Zac Tubbs is the most garnered lineman the Hogs have, as he managed to earn All-Bowl Team honors for his work against Missouri in the Independence Bowl, but only after two-time, All-American, Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award finalist Shane Andrews took an early exit for the NFL Draft. The only senior on the line is Gene Perry, but even he was a reserve player last fall. But even with Jones as good as he his, the Hogs have’ a receiving core that at best lacks experience. Steven Harris returns from battling injuries to be the leading receiver on the team, but his 19 catches for 315 yards last year aren’t exactly dazzling numbers. Outside of that, Carlos Ousley and tight end Jared Hict.: are the team’s second and third leading receivers, with a grand total of six catches between the two of them last year. The defensive front also has major experience issues, as the team’s most talented returning player, Jeb Huckeba, is looking to lead a major group of inexperienced and untested front four into battle. Huckeba has recorded over 150 tackles for the Hogs in his career so far, and is looking to add to those totals this fall. Pierre Brown, Clarke Moore and Sam Olajubutu will have to anchor the Razorbacks’ linebacker group, as they are the only members to return with more than 40 tackle* The rest of the linebackers all have minimal playing time and lack real game experience. The linebackers might be working harder than they bargained for this fall, as none of the listed cornerbacks or safeties played in a single game last year, except for safeties Lerinezo Robinson (37 career tackles and three total interceptions) and Vickiel Vaughn (26 career tackles and one interception). The special teams will be led by place kicker Chris Balseiro and punter Jacob Skinner. Balseiro took over the starting job in game four ♦ Please see ARKANSAS, page 12 A GAMECOCK TRAmAm If A Proud P Sponsor i 4 wk (gamecock f ^otball! - Serving theUmversity Family with Quality Financial Services Since 1967 Carolina Collegiate Federal Credit Union I 710 Pulrnkl Stml & 4480Rosewood Drive • Columbia, South Carolina \