Included in that six-game winning streak were upsets of nationally ranked Auburn and South Carolina, and a 58-56, seven-overtime victory over Ole Miss, the longest game ever played in Division I-A history.
After that 1-3 start, Arkansas finished 7-4 and 4-4 in the SEC, earning a trip to the Cotton Bowl to play Oklahoma.
That game turned out to be a disappointing capper to a season that had been brought back from the dead. Arkansas could manage only 50 yards total offense in losing, 10-3.
After that dismal display, Nutt, who had rotated quarterbacks and offenses all season long, had seen enough. He made a decision that Arkansas, like so many of its SEC brethren, was going to open up its offense. Four wide receivers would be the order of the day, and whoever the starting quarterback would be in 2002 had better loosen up his throwing arm.
Nutt and his coaches sought expert advice in making so drastic a change. In the off-season, they visited the coaching staffs of the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers for a crash course on best utilizing the four-receiver set. And they visited Maryland, where first-year coach Ralph Friedgen employed a diversified offense such as the one Nutt envisioned.
Arkansas’ new look in 2002 will extend to the defense. When former defensive coordinator John Thompson left to join Ron Zook’s staff at Florida, Nutt elevated secondary coach Dave Wommack, who tinkered in the spring with a 3-3-5 alignment and an eight-man front.
Clearly, Nutt wasn’t just content with getting to a New Year’s Day bowl, even after the dramatic rally his team pulled off to accomplish the feat.
When Arkansas had used its allotted 15 spring practice days, Nutt was pleased with what had been accomplished.
"I felt like we got some things accomplished this spring," Nutt said. "The spring is a great time for teaching because there is no rush. I think the competition was healthy at just about every position. I’m just looking forward to seeing if we can take this same work ethic and commitment to the fall. If that happens, we could do some good things."
QUARTERBACKS
Last season, Arkansas ran two different offenses, depending on which quarterback was in the game. When Matt Jones played, the Hogs ran an option attack. When Zak Clark and Ryan Sorahan were on the field, Arkansas was more conventional.
This year, Arkansas won’t adapt its offense to the quarterbacks. The opposite will be true. The Razorbacks will run one offense, and the quarterback that can handle it best will play. That means sophomore Jones (6-6, 215), sophomore Sorahan (6-4, 200) or red-shirt freshman Tarvaris Jackson (6-3, 215), listed as co-No. 1 on the post-spring depth chart, will have to shore up their weaknesses.
Nutt would like Jones, a strong, elusive runner, to become more consistent with his passing. And he would love to see the strong-armed Jackson be able to run as well as Jones. Sorahan can do a little bit of both, but he faces a stiff challenge from the other two quarterbacks.
Jones didn’t play a minute in the first three games of his freshman season and wasn’t a big part of the offense until mid-season. But Jones eventually took over the team, running the option game to perfection and improvising as he went along. Jones wound up as the Hogs’ second-leading rusher, averaging 74 yards per game. He led Arkansas in total offense (108.4 yards per game) and accounted for 31.6 percent of the team’s total offense in the last seven games,
Jones rushed for 592 yards and had two 100-yard rushing games, becoming the first Arkansas quarterback since Quinn Grovey in 1989 to do that. He wasn’t asked to throw the ball much, but he completed 12-of-27 passes for 275 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Though the job would appear to be Jones’ to lose, the competition for No. 1 will extend into the fall. Nutt likes different things about all of his quarterbacks.
"Ryan is a worker, a winner," Nutt said. "He was 14-of-19 against Alabama until he got hurt. Tarvaris Jackson, everyone would pick him out because of his arm strength. And he’s a 4.5 guy that can run.
"And everyone knows Matt from last year. His strength is running the ball. He’s 6-6 and can run 4.4 [40]. He needs to improve on footwork and throwing the football."
As Nutt said, Sorahan had his moments last season. In addition to that performance against Alabama, he led the Hogs to their first win over the season, completing two fourth-down passes and finding receiver Richard Smith on a 23-yard pass play that set up Cedric Cobbs ’ winning touchdown.
That performance earned Sorahan starts in the Hogs’ next two games against Tennessee and Alabama. But he injured his back against the Crimson Tide and didn’t play the rest of the season. Jackson caught the coaches’ attention in a spring scrimmage when he threw three touchdown passes.
RUNNING BACKS
Arkansas is well stocked at tailback, and that’s fine by Nutt. In his view, the Hogs can’t have too many tailbacks. Injuries have dogged this position in Nutt’s tenure at Arkansas.
"This is my fifth year," Nutt said, "and every year we’ve needed three. I’m happy to say we have some depth at tailback. We’ve got some guys that can touch the football and take care of it and do something with it."
Senior Fred Talley (5-9, 180) started last year and was listed as the No. 1 tailback coming out of spring practice, but he will be pushed by juniors Cobbs (6-1, 221) and Brandon Holmes (6-2, 218).
Talley, a second-team All-SEC pick last season, led Arkansas with 774 yards on 164 carries. He scored four touchdowns. Talley rushed for 100 yards or more four times, against Weber State, South Carolina, Ole Miss and UCF. That was the most 100-yard games by an Arkansas running back since Madre Hill had six in 1995.
Cobbs had a solid freshman season -- setting a school record for freshmen with 668 yards rushing -- but has struggled with injuries and off-the-field problems ever since. In early January, Cobbs was stopped for driving 73 miles per hour in a 60-mph zone. The officer who pulled Cobbs over said he smelled marijuana, and Cobbs admitted he had been smoking. Cobbs was charged under the drug section of the Arkansas’ DUI law.
Nutt suspended Cobbs indefinitely after the arrest, but the running back eventually agreed to 15 conditions established by Nutt so he could remain on the team. The conditions include random drug testing.
Nutt believes all the adversity Cobbs has endured has made him tougher.
"It’s affected Cedric in a very good manner," Nutt said after spring practice.
Cobbs picked up 340 yards on 102 carries last season and led the Razorbacks with seven touchdowns.
Holmes gained 165 yards on 49 carries and scored three touchdowns. He could possibly find some work at fullback if Talley and Cobbs are handling most of the carries at tailback.
Sophomore Mark Pierce (6-0, 233) will take over the fullback spot vacated by Sacha Lancaster. Pierce carried 23 times for 79 yards and three touchdowns in 2001 and was useful catching passes out of the backfield. Pierce was the Hogs’ third-leading receiver with eight catches for 75 yards.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
In the revamped offense, Arkansas’ receivers are going to get a lot more action.
"We asked every one of them to be a deep threat for us," Nutt said. "We have to get the ball down the field. Our goal is to throw for 2,500 yards this year."
The Hogs have some talent at this position, led by returning starters George Wilson (6-2, 202), and Richard Smith (5-10, 184). Both are juniors. Freshman Carlos Ousley (6-0, 180) and sophomore Decori Birmingham (6-0, 200) showed some big-play ability in spring practice.
In 2001, Wilson led the Razorbacks with 40 catches for 568 yards. He averaged 14.2 yards per catch and scored three times. Wilson caught five or more balls in four games, including an eight-catch, 105-yard performance against Ole Miss in the epic, seven-overtime win over Ole Miss.
Wilson underwent surgery for torn cartilage in his right knee after spring practice, but he was expected to be ready for the start of fall workouts.
Smith (5-10, 175), a junior, caught 38 passes a year ago for 383 yards and five touchdowns, which was tops on the team. He caught three or more passes in seven games, with his best effort of the season coming against LSU, when he hauled in four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Ousley transferred from Wake Forest, where he enrolled but never played.
Birmingham saw some work at running back last season, carrying 24 times for 87 yards and a touchdown. He also caught six passes for 47 yards, none bigger than the conversion catch he made in the Ole Miss game that proved to be the deciding two points. Given the Hogs’ increased need for receivers, he’s not likely to play at running back again.
Arkansas’ tight ends will also get some more work this season. Though used primarily as blockers last season, sophomore Jason Peters (6-5, 306) and senior Marcellus Poydras (6-5, 260) proved they could hold on to the ball in the clutch.
Poydras’ only catch of the season came in the fourth overtime of the win over Ole Miss. And Peters caught a conversion pass from Matt Jones that sent the game into the seventh overtime, where the Hogs finally won.
OFFENSIVE LINE
In Arkansas’ first two games of 2001, the offense averaged 103 yards per game. That’s right, 103 yards. After massive sophomore right tackle Shawn Andrews (6-5, 340) was inserted into the lineup as a true freshman in the third game, the Razorbacks averaged 373 yards per game the rest of the season.
Though Andrews’ presence didn’t account for all that improvement, there’s no question he was a huge factor. Andrews was so good that, as young as he was, he became the leader on the line and a stalwart of the entire offensive unit.
Andrews was just the third true freshman in Arkansas history to start on the offense line, joining Freddie Childress (1985) and Nathan Ball (1999). And Andrews made his presence felt. He allowed just one sack all season and led the Hogs with 46 knockdown blocks. Andrews was chosen a first-team freshman All-American by The Sporting News and also made the SEC All-Freshman team and the All-SEC second team as selected by the coaches.
Andrews is the line’s only other returning starter, along with junior right guard Mark Bokermann (6-5, 300). Bokermann began last season at right tackle, but was versatile and skilled enough to switch to guard.
After spring practice, other starters on the line were senior Josh Melton (6-5, 288) at center, junior Bo Lacy (6-4, 286) and left tackle and junior Scott Davenport (6-2, 307) at left guard.
KICKERS
Arkansas is in good shape here. In 2001, junior Brennan O’Donohoe (6-0, 190) made all 29 of his extra-point kicks and 12-of-17 field goals. Nutt hopes O’Donohoe can become a little more consistent, especially from distances of more than 40 yards.
Just in case O’Donohoe isn’t up to the task, sophomore David Carlton (6-1, 184), who also handles kickoffs, can be called on for the longer field-goal tries.
DEFENSIVE LINE
With Randy Garner and Carlos Hall, last season’s starting defensive ends, having departed, the stage is set for senior bandit end Raymond House (6-3, 272) to showcase his skills.
Last season, House started 11 games and made 39 tackles, five for a team-leading 31 yards in losses. He also contributed 2.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and a pass deflection. House came up big in the overtime win over Ole Miss, making a season-high 11 tackles.
Junior Justin Scott (6-2, 248) will back up House, and sophomore Elliott Harris (6-4, 266) claimed the other end position after spring practice. Senior Wesley O’Neal (5-10, 218) was listed as his backup.
Senior nose guard Jermaine Brooks (6-3, 295) missed spring practice after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder, but he’s expected to be ready by the start of fall practice.
In 2001, Brooks made 56 tackles, sixth on the team, and 12 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. He also deflected two passes and recorded two quarterback hurries.
In Brooks’ absence, senior Scott Summers (6-0, 285) was switched to nose guard, a position that seemed to suit him.
Four players will battle it out for the other tackle position -- sophomore Arrion Dixon (6-4, 277), junior Pervis Osborne (6-4, 267), red-shirt freshman James Johnson (6-6, 285) and junior Jayson Johnson (6-3, 310).
LINEBACKERS
This unit will miss All-American Jermaine Petty, who emerged unexpectedly as a force last season, but there is some talent.
After spring practice, sophomore Tony Bua (5-11, 207) and junior Caleb Miller (6-3, 213) held on to their starting jobs as the outside linebackers.
In 2001, Bua started 10 games at the "Wolf" linebacker spot and came up with an impressive 109 tackles, third on the team and seventh in the SEC. He had six double-digit tackle games and also came up with two interceptions, three pass deflections, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Bua earned second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press.
Miller made 101 tackles, including eight for loss, last season. He played through pain the latter half of the year and was later diagnosed with a hernia. He missed spring practice after surgery and rehab, but will be ready in the fall.
Senior Gavin Walls (6-2, 217) was listed as co-No. 1 with Miller at "Stinger" linebacker after spring practice. Red-shirt freshman Pierre Brown (6-0, 215) was impressive in the spring and should also see time at the position.
Shane Collins seemed like the likely replacement for Petty in the middle, but he underwent knee surgery in March and was lost for the season. That leaves the job wide open, though sophomore Jeb Huckeba (6-4, 210) was moved to the middle in the spring. Huckeba was chosen to the SEC’s All-Freshman team last season after making 24 tackles. Junior college transfer Marcus Whitmore (6-1, 220) will get a chance to show what he can do in the fall. Whitmore, a junior from Independence (Kansas) Community College, made 136 tackles last season, including 22 for loss, and intercepted four passes, returning one of them for a touchdown. Whitmore, a South Carolina native, was also recruited by South Carolina and Oklahoma.
If Whitmore can handle the middle, Huckeba could be moved to rush end.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Hogs’ secondary took a hit in early June when All-SEC free safety Ken Hamlin (6-2, 200) was suspended indefinitely.
Hamlin was arrested and charged with DUI, running a stop sign, having no liability insurance, having no vehicle license and driving with a revoked driver’s license.
"I’m disappointed that we have come to this point, but I feel like an indefinite suspension is the appropriate action to take," Nutt said. "I’m hopeful that Ken will take this opportunity to re-evaluate his priorities and make positive choices regarding his future both on and off the field."
Hamlin was also charged with DUI in July 2001 and had to perform community service and other Nutt-mandated requirements to return. In light of that and Cedric Cobbs’ arrest in January, Nutt has cracked down on such offenses among his players. Hamlin’s punishment for his second offense figures to be more severe than what was handed down after his first, which probably means he will miss some games.
That hurts, because Hamlin was a key player. He made 118 tackles last season, second on the team to linebacker Jermaine Petty’s 140. He also came up with three interceptions, 10 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and two quarterback hurries.
Shelton Parker (5-9, 173), a junior, was listed as Hamlin’s backup after the spring and will move into the lineup if Hamlin doesn’t make it back.
Juniors Jimmy Beasley (5-11, 191) or Jimarr Gallon (5-11, 195) will compete for the starting job at rover.
At cornerback, three players who will log the bulk of the action -- junior Lawrence Richardson (5-10, 174), junior Eddie Jackson (6-0, 186) and sophomore Ahmad Carroll (5-11, 190) -- missed spring drills while participating in track, but the position was still solid in the spring.
Even with the starters running track, cornerback was a strong spot in the spring. Senior Marvin Jackson (5-9, 165) and Mosley took a lot of snaps in scrimmages and made strides.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nutt has placed a big emphasis on special teams, and that has paid dividends.
Last season, Jackson gave the punt return team a jolt by averaging 9.8 yards per return, sixth in the SEC and 51st in the country. It was the first time a Razorback had averaged more than nine yards in more than a decade.
Jackson returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown against Georgia.
Candidates for kickoff returns are Birmingham and Richardson, both of whom finished in the top 10 in the SEC a year ago. Richardson averaged 23.1 yards per return, which was sixth in the league and 47th in the country. Birmingham averaged 21.9 yards, 10th in the SEC.
Senior Chuck Nalley (5-11, 230) returns as the deep snapper and will be backed up by senior Mark Stavely (5-11, 209). Junior Dowell Loggains (5-5, 165) will be the holder.
RECRUITING CLASS
Nutt and his staff signed 24 players and did a good job keeping in-state talent at home. Arkansas also raided Texas for some nice players, and got instant help from the junior college ranks in linebacker Whitmore and offensive lineman Perry.
Among the standout in-state players signed were wide receiver Chris Baker (6-1, 185) of Osceola; defensive lineman Chase Pressley (6-5, 275) of Fort Smith; running back Dedrick Poole (5-11, 180) from Little Rock; running back John Jackson (5-11, 195) of Monticello; linebacker Wes Murphy (6-4, 235) of Fayetteville; and offensive lineman Tyler Morgan (6-5, 275) of Hot Springs.
Baker in particular has a chance to help as a freshman. He was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 4 athlete in the country and was ranked the No. 5 player in Arkansas by SuperPrep. In 2001, Baker caught 17 passes for 339 yards and four touchdowns for Osceola High School. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.
Pressley, from Southside High School, was rated the No. 36 defensive lineman in the country by SuperPrep. He was an all state pick and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Defensive Player of the Year.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
The Razorbacks have achieved a level of consistency under Nutt, as evidenced by the fact they are the only team in the SEC’s Western Division to play in a bowl game the last four years.
That accomplishment means a lot to Nutt, but he wants more. After the highs and lows of the 2001 season, he wants the Hogs to come out on the offensive in 2002. Nutt has opened up the offense and wants to score some points.
He apparently has the firepower to do that, with no less than three quality quarterbacks and tailbacks on the roster. There is also a host of receivers, some of whom will have to step up and become a big-play threat. The offensive line is rebuilding but solid.
Defensively, the Hogs are rebuilding their line and could use another linebacker, but their secondary is strong. It’ll be even better if Hamlin is reinstated after he was suspended in June for his second DUI violation in a year.
If Nutt can help his players maintain their spring enthusiasm in the fall, this team can extend its bowl-game streak to five years, even if it can’t finish in the upper half of the tough SEC West.
