Arkansas' Nutt still looking at quarterbacks

Thursday, April 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas coach Houston Nutt says the three contenders for the starting quarterback position are each doing well, with Matt Jones making up for time he lost playing basketball.

Freshman Tarvaris Jackson and sophomore Ryan Sorahan held an early edge on Jones this spring, Nutt said Wednesday.

``All three quarterbacks have improved,'' Nutt said. ``Matt has had to come the furthest. He is getting better. He is throwing the football better. When you have been out here a year and we've thrown everything at him, when you come back out you feel so much more comfortable because he has been there. Now the play doesn't seem like French to him anymore. He is improving, learning the structure of the defense and executing for us.''

The team worked out for two hours in full pads Wednesday after an off day Tuesday.

``We had some good fundamental work again today,'' Nutt said. ``We have had a real good spirit every time we have hit this field. That is what you appreciate is guys that love to practice. That's not always easy to get. I've been a lot of places and a lot of time young people don't like to practice.''

Nutt said adding a scrimmage segment to the end of each practice has helped the intensity. The coach said he can increase depth with the added hitting.

``We have done some type of scrimmaging every single day,'' Nutt said. ``They have come with a good attitude. Today we ended up with goal line scrimmage. Our defense continues to get better. Elliott Harris, Arrion Dixon and Scott Summers have made some plays. Coach (Kacy) Rodgers has done a good job with the defensive line. They have improved fundamentally.''

The team practices Thursday and Friday before combining a practice and a scrimmage at 10 a.m. Saturday. The final spring scrimmage will be held at Razorback Stadium at noon April 13.