LITTLE ROCK - One week after going toe-to-toe with one of the nation's top receivers, Chris Houston could've been forgiven for slacking off in Arkansas' easy win over Utah State.<br>
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But the Razorbacks had a shutout to preserve.<br>
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``It was kind of hard coming in the fourth quarter when they started driving the field,'' Houston said. ``It's always hard to get a shutout.''<br>
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Houston emerged last season as one of Arkansas' top defensive backs, and he's picked up where he left off so far in 2006. In the opener against No. 4 Southern California, he stuck close to All-American receiver Dwayne Jarrett, and the following week, Houston helped the Razorbacks to a 20-0 win over Utah State.<br>
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``Chris has been so consistent for us,'' coach Houston Nutt said. ``He's very physical. He's a guy we really rely on to shut down their best offensive weapons.''<br>
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As a sophomore in 2005, Houston started the last nine games at cornerback when Darius Vinnett was out with a knee injury. He finished the year with 20 tackles and tied for the team lead by breaking up eight passes.<br>
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Coming into this season, Houston was entrenched as a starter, but he faced a difficult test against USC. The 6-foot-5 Jarrett is six inches taller than Houston.<br>
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``I just wanted to come in and be physical,'' Houston said. ``I just studied a lot of film on him and just looked at things that I probably could do to stop the timing of him and his quarterback.''<br>
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Arkansas lost the game 50-14, but Houston didn't back down. He held Jarrett to five catches for 35 harmless yards.<br>
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``I could take something out of that individually, but we play as a team,'' Houston said. ``I can build on that and just come out and try to dominate every other wide receiver that I face.''<br>
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Houston made three tackles against Utah State. The Aggies drove into Arkansas territory on their last three possessions, but they couldn't score.<br>
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Late in the fourth quarter, Houston committed a pass interference penalty that put Utah State at the Razorbacks' 9-yard-line, but the Arkansas secondary held on for three straight incompletions and the Aggies turned the ball over on downs.<br>
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The Razorbacks allowed only 77 yards passing in the game.<br>
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Now, Houston's challenge is to continue his strong start. Arkansas plays at Vanderbilt (0-2) on Saturday.<br>
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Last year, the Commodores beat the Razorbacks 28-24 when Jay Cutler threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes. Cutler is in the NFL now, but Vanderbilt's passing game is still a threat. Receiver Earl Bennett was amazing in the final four games of 2005, catching 49 passes for 545 yards and nine touchdowns over that stretch.<br>
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Nutt said he wasn't sure if Houston would cover Bennett. But the fiery defensive back seems ready. After his matchup with Jarrett, confidence is hardly an issue.<br>
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``It just made me believe in myself even more me holding the best wide receiver in the nation,'' Houston said.<br>
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(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
