Old Tiger
11-27-2006, 02:10 PM
Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2676972&type=story)
No question who's QB: Razorbacks to stick with Dick
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Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Despite a shaky performance in No. 8 Arkansas' loss Friday against No. 5 LSU, Casey Dick will start as quarterback in the Razorbacks' Southeastern Conference championship game against No. 4 Florida, coach Houston Nutt said Sunday.
"Casey will be the first to tell you he has to play better," Nutt said. "Mitch [Mustain] will get more reps this week."
Dick had a dismal day against the Tigers, going 3-for-17 for just 29 yards. But Nutt decided not to substitute Mustain, a true freshman who started eight games for the Razorbacks.
"I just didn't feel like it was the time to put Mitch in a game like that," Nutt said. "It's a tough game to bring in a freshman against the No. 1 defense in the country with the way they were defending the pass."
Arkansas (10-2) on Saturday faces Florida, whose only loss this season came against Auburn.
Friday's loss dropped the Razorbacks to 7-1 in the league but Arkansas still won the SEC West outright. Last season, Arkansas finished 5-6 and a year before went 4-7. Nutt led the Razorbacks to bowl games in his first six seasons.
With a victory Saturday, the Razorbacks would be assured a BCS bowl berth, most likely the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
"This is a very very tough conference," Nutt said Sunday in a conference call with reporters. "When you play the teams we play in this league, it is very very tough.
"All you want to do is win it and hand that trophy to coach [Frank] Broyles," he said, referring to the longtime Razorbacks coach and current athletic director.
Both the Razorbacks and Gators are plagued by injuries. Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis remains out with a deep thigh bruise, and Nutt said he'd know by Tuesday or Wednesday whether Hillis could play in the SEC championship.
Florida's Percy Harvin -- who last week against Florida State ran four times for 86 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown -- also is injured, but coach Urban Meyer said Sunday he's optimistic for a return.
"All reports are positive," Meyer said. "He should be ready to go for Saturday."
Also injured is running back DeShawn Wynn, who hurt his left shoulder. Meyer said he'd know more Monday about Wynn's condition.
"It's a significant injury," Meyer said. "Every time he gets contact on his shoulder there's a problem."
In Arkansas' loss to LSU -- its first since a season-opening thrashing by USC -- Heisman hopeful Darren McFadden provided 182 yards on the ground, including an 80-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
On Sunday, both Nutt and Meyer praised McFadden, saying the sophomore should be high on the list for the Heisman.
"We spend so many hours and a lot of money recruiting -- he's what you look for," Meyer said. "He's as fine a football player in the country as there is."
No question who's QB: Razorbacks to stick with Dick
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Despite a shaky performance in No. 8 Arkansas' loss Friday against No. 5 LSU, Casey Dick will start as quarterback in the Razorbacks' Southeastern Conference championship game against No. 4 Florida, coach Houston Nutt said Sunday.
"Casey will be the first to tell you he has to play better," Nutt said. "Mitch [Mustain] will get more reps this week."
Dick had a dismal day against the Tigers, going 3-for-17 for just 29 yards. But Nutt decided not to substitute Mustain, a true freshman who started eight games for the Razorbacks.
"I just didn't feel like it was the time to put Mitch in a game like that," Nutt said. "It's a tough game to bring in a freshman against the No. 1 defense in the country with the way they were defending the pass."
Arkansas (10-2) on Saturday faces Florida, whose only loss this season came against Auburn.
Friday's loss dropped the Razorbacks to 7-1 in the league but Arkansas still won the SEC West outright. Last season, Arkansas finished 5-6 and a year before went 4-7. Nutt led the Razorbacks to bowl games in his first six seasons.
With a victory Saturday, the Razorbacks would be assured a BCS bowl berth, most likely the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
"This is a very very tough conference," Nutt said Sunday in a conference call with reporters. "When you play the teams we play in this league, it is very very tough.
"All you want to do is win it and hand that trophy to coach [Frank] Broyles," he said, referring to the longtime Razorbacks coach and current athletic director.
Both the Razorbacks and Gators are plagued by injuries. Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis remains out with a deep thigh bruise, and Nutt said he'd know by Tuesday or Wednesday whether Hillis could play in the SEC championship.
Florida's Percy Harvin -- who last week against Florida State ran four times for 86 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown -- also is injured, but coach Urban Meyer said Sunday he's optimistic for a return.
"All reports are positive," Meyer said. "He should be ready to go for Saturday."
Also injured is running back DeShawn Wynn, who hurt his left shoulder. Meyer said he'd know more Monday about Wynn's condition.
"It's a significant injury," Meyer said. "Every time he gets contact on his shoulder there's a problem."
In Arkansas' loss to LSU -- its first since a season-opening thrashing by USC -- Heisman hopeful Darren McFadden provided 182 yards on the ground, including an 80-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
On Sunday, both Nutt and Meyer praised McFadden, saying the sophomore should be high on the list for the Heisman.
"We spend so many hours and a lot of money recruiting -- he's what you look for," Meyer said. "He's as fine a football player in the country as there is."