Spring Break
Hogs hope to become bowl eligible
Football
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Sports
Following a bye week, the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-6, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) are gearing up for their final road trip of the season, slated against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-7, 1-5 SEC) in Starkville, Miss.
For the Hogs, it's do-or-die time since they must win their final two games to become bowl eligible. It begins this Saturday when they face the Bulldogs, a team with some similarities to their last foe, South Carolina.
Defensively, MSU likes to change coverages, and they have the ability to make real-time changes throughout the game.
"They go back and forth between a four-man front and a three-man front," Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said. "They'll pressure you and they'll get an extra guy down in the box to stop the run, whether that's seven guys or eight guys, depending on what personnel you have in the game. They're very sound."
Senior quarterback Casey Dick did not practice during the bye week because of a concussion he suffered late against South Carolina. Since his departure from that game, a quarterback controversy has arisen between him and brother Nathan Dick.
Nathan, a redshirt freshman, showed some poise in the pocket against the Gamecocks, completing 4-of-8 passes for 38 yards. Conversely, Casey struggled by throwing three interceptions.
"[The quarterback controversy] is kind of a combination based on both health and performance," Petrino said. "It wasn't Casey's best game of the year and we want to make sure that he gets back healthy."
Yet the decision on who starts Saturday will be based on more than just whether Casey is fit to play. Also taken heavily into account will be which quarterback gives the Hogs the better chance for a victory against the Bulldogs.
Considering Casey's troubles against the Gamecocks, his ability to deal with a similarly confusing defense this week may be an issue with coaches.
"[Casey] made some mistakes prior to getting hit in the head," Petrino said. "We also liked the way Nathan played when he came in."
For the Hogs, it's do-or-die time since they must win their final two games to become bowl eligible. It begins this Saturday when they face the Bulldogs, a team with some similarities to their last foe, South Carolina.
Defensively, MSU likes to change coverages, and they have the ability to make real-time changes throughout the game.
"They go back and forth between a four-man front and a three-man front," Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said. "They'll pressure you and they'll get an extra guy down in the box to stop the run, whether that's seven guys or eight guys, depending on what personnel you have in the game. They're very sound."
Senior quarterback Casey Dick did not practice during the bye week because of a concussion he suffered late against South Carolina. Since his departure from that game, a quarterback controversy has arisen between him and brother Nathan Dick.
Nathan, a redshirt freshman, showed some poise in the pocket against the Gamecocks, completing 4-of-8 passes for 38 yards. Conversely, Casey struggled by throwing three interceptions.
"[The quarterback controversy] is kind of a combination based on both health and performance," Petrino said. "It wasn't Casey's best game of the year and we want to make sure that he gets back healthy."
Yet the decision on who starts Saturday will be based on more than just whether Casey is fit to play. Also taken heavily into account will be which quarterback gives the Hogs the better chance for a victory against the Bulldogs.
Considering Casey's troubles against the Gamecocks, his ability to deal with a similarly confusing defense this week may be an issue with coaches.
"[Casey] made some mistakes prior to getting hit in the head," Petrino said. "We also liked the way Nathan played when he came in."
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