FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) New, young players got a chance to impress their coaches and teammates Monday as Arkansas held its first workout of the season in temperatures that reached into the 90s.<br>
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Several freshmen caught the attention of the coaches with their athleticism and speed.<br>
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``I was really excited about our young guys for coming in and handling everything we threw at them,'' coach Houston Nutt said. ``I thought those young (running) backs and linebackers really stood out.''<br>
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He singled out Michael Smith, Felix Jones, Darren McFadden, Freddie Fairchild and Tyrell Graham.<br>
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The Razorbacks worked out in shorts and helmets for just over two hours Monday.<br>
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``It was good to be out here today,'' Nutt said. ``The guys had a great attitude. They came out with a lot of anticipation and anxiousness, especially our younger people.''<br>
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He said a few players overheated, ``but that is natural for as fast as they were going early on in practice. The new turf is about 12 to 15 degrees hotter than the grass, and we were doing most of our team work on the turf.''<br>
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Quarterback candidates continued to battle in an effort to lock down the starting job.<br>
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``We are looking for that guy who is going to take care of the ball, the guy that is going to take care of the clock, the guy that is going to put the team in the end zone without a mistake and not turn the ball over,'' Nutt said. ``That is going to be our guy. I know it sounds simple, and it is.''<br>
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Nutt said each of the quarterbacks would get the same number of snaps for the next few of days, and then will start earning their snaps based on performance.<br>
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``The more passes they complete, the more they get us in the right plays, the more snaps they are going to earn,'' Nutt said. ``It is very competitive and they are all trying hard.''<br>
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The Razorbacks return to the practice field Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.<br>
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(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
