Dick to start against South Carolina

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Posted 8:45PM on Monday, October 31, 2005

LITTLE ROCK (AP) Arkansas' new starting quarterback has never taken a college snap. Casey Dick is an unknown commodity. So on Monday, defensive lineman Keith Jackson tried to provide a scouting report. ``Casey Dick he used to kill us every day on scout team,'' Jackson said. ``He used to throw that ball, and you would just hear the ball hitting the pads on the receivers every time real loud.'' Dick's jump from scout team to first team is now official. Coach Houston Nutt has announced he will start the freshman against South Carolina this weekend, removing Dick's redshirt in an attempt to revive a passing game that has been the SEC's worst this season. Dick threw for 1,942 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Allen High School in Texas, but when Arkansas needed a new starting quarterback to replace Matt Jones, Dick was an afterthought. Sophomore Robert Johnson beat out redshirt freshman Alex Mortensen and freshman Cole Barthel in August. Johnson has remained the No. 1 quarterback all season, but the Razorbacks are averaging only 133 yards passing per game, the worst mark in the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas hasn't completed a pass longer than 29 yards. ``We're just going to see if we can add a new spark,'' Dick said. ``Get something going for the team.'' Nutt began reevaluating his quarterbacks after an Oct. 15 loss to No. 17 Auburn, but Johnson started again the following week. The Razorbacks were about to play a tough road game against Georgia, so Nutt chose his most experienced option. Arkansas lost 23-20 to the No. 11 Bulldogs. Now, after a weekend off, Nutt feels the time is right for a switch. ``We just felt like for the team, we needed this change,'' Nutt said. ``We're going to let Casey start, and see how he does, and he's done some good things throughout the year. This wasn't an overnight decision.'' Nutt said removing the redshirt in the middle of the season was a tough decision, but he thinks Dick gives Arkansas its best chance to turn its season around. The Razorbacks (2-5, 0-4 SEC) must win their remaining four games to be eligible for a bowl. ``I really think there's still a lot of season left,'' Nutt said. ``I wouldn't do it for any other reason except to win.'' Arkansas is sixth in the nation with 256.6 yards rushing per game. Freshman Darren McFadden has rushed for 100 yards three straight games, including a 190-yard, two-touchdown performance against Georgia. Dick hopes the Razorbacks' running game will make his transition easier. ``It opens up the passes and the different things like that because they always have to key on the run,'' Dick said. Jackson isn't sure what to expect, but he's optimistic after watching Dick in practice. ``Everything's going to turn out great for Casey, because he loved to compete against us,'' Jackson said. ``He liked to see us screw up, or he liked to make us mess up with his athletic ability.'' McFadden is also hopeful Dick can provide a boost for the offense. ``He's got to get his jitters out and things like that, but I think he'll do a pretty good job, because he seems like he has a lot of confidence,'' McFadden said. Nutt says he expects South Carolina (5-3, 3-3) to pressure Dick often this weekend. He said the Razorbacks are working in practice to prepare their new quarterback for his first game. Nutt also noted that Dick ran the option a bit in high school, so the quarterback's mobility shouldn't be a problem. Dick rushed for 401 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season at Allen. Dick didn't elaborate very much when asked what type of quarterback he is. He said he'll do what the coaches ask and count on his teammates to help make the adjustment a smooth one. ``It's a big step, but it's what you wait for your whole life,'' he said. ``To come out here and play college football.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)