Arkansas ready to test young, inexperienced team

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, with a young and inexperienced team, says Saturday&#39;s season-opener against New Mexico State is not the startup that he would prefer a sure-win game where players can get away with novice mistakes and still end up on top.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s not a cupcake at all,&#39;&#39; Nutt said Wednesday during his weekly teleconference. ``Part of me would love to have a much easier ballgame, especially the first one, just to get your feet wet and get everybody on the same page.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Instead, New Mexico State is bringing a team loaded with veterans to Fayetteville. Nutt described the matchup as ``a very, very good opener.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> New Mexico State has what Nutt termed ``an excellent defense&#39;&#39; with 10 starters returning from a team that lost to Arkansas 48-20 last season after trailing only 14-10 at halftime. Nutt in particular praised the Aggies&#39; linebacking corps, which includes returning starters Richard Glover, a senior, and Jimmy Cottrell, a junior. They are joined by senior Simon Ocampo.<br> <br> To face them, Arkansas has one returning offensive starter, quarterback Matt Jones. It was Jones who led last year&#39;s second-half breakout, running for three touchdowns in the third quarter on his way to recording 132 yards rushing and 139 passing in the game.<br> <br> Nutt said despite their collective youth, the 2004 Razorbacks are itching to put themselves to the test against an opponent after a month of preseason practices.<br> <br> ``We are very excited about starting the season,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I&#39;m sure, like everybody, we&#39;re ready to hit another color jersey.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Kickoff at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is at 6 p.m.

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