Nutt: Arkansas can't overlook Boise State challenge

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Not long ago, scheduling the likes of Boise State and the occasional out-of-state directional school meant easy marks in the win column. <br><br>But the gap between the NCAA's also-rans

Thursday, September 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Not long ago, scheduling the likes of Boise State and the occasional out-of-state directional school meant easy marks in the win column.

But the gap between the NCAA's also-rans and established programs is narrowing.

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt has won every non-conference regular-season game in four years with the Razorbacks. However, Boise State is one of those teams closing fast on the rest of the NCAA.

The Broncos have won 28 games in the past three years _ seven more than the Razorbacks. Arkansas beat Boise State, 38-31, in 2000, so Nutt doesn't have a hard time making sure his players take the Broncos seriously.

``There's so much parity in college football, you've got to buckle up and be ready any time you get out there,'' Nutt said during the Southeastern Conference coaches' teleconference Wednesday.

Since Arkansas hasn't played its first game, Nutt and his players watched last week as several lower-tier Division I and Division I-AA schools played tough.

Troy State, Arkansas' opponent on Nov. 2, outgained No. 9 Nebraska, which had two punt returns for touchdown in a 31-16 victory. No. 2 Oklahoma led Tulsa only 3-0 at the half. Penn State held off a Central Florida rally for a 27-24 win. Alabama did the same against Middle Tennessee State in a 39-34 victory.

Boise State presents Arkansas with a balanced offensive attack that should test a defensive line thin on experience beyond captains Jermaine Brooks and Raymond House.

In the Broncos' 38-21 victory over Idaho last week, running backs Brock Forsey and David Mikell combined for 328 yards and five touchdowns.

Forsey, a senior, caught seven passes for 115 yards and he rushed for 91 on 19 carries. Mikell, a junior, rushed for 108 yards on 10 carries and he scored on runs of 4, 27 and 17 yards.

Quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie is the nation's ninth-rated passer after completing 18-of-23 passes, with no interceptions, for 259 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 31 yards.

``They play extremely hard on both sides of the ball,'' Nutt said. ``Brock Forsey is a very talented running back. They've got a quarterback who knows what to do. They distribute the ball to the tight end, wide receivers and the running back.''

Arkansas is one of only two schools receiving votes in The Associated Press poll who hasn't played a game yet _ UCLA is the other. Because of that, Nutt has had an extra week to get ready for Boise State, but the Razorbacks will have first-game jitters to work through.

``You wouldn't mind already having a game under the belt,'' Nutt said. ``We've had some good practice and a good fall. They're ready to play.''