Arkansas-Red 13, White 7

<br>FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson passed for 108 yards and a touchdown and tailback DeArrius Howard racked up 53 yards as the Red held off a late White charge for a 13-7 victory

Sunday, April 14th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson passed for 108 yards and a touchdown and tailback DeArrius Howard racked up 53 yards as the Red held off a late White charge for a 13-7 victory Saturday.

Saturday's scrimmage was the culmination of spring practice for Arkansas. The Razorbacks will report for two-a-day practices in August.

``I feel good,'' said Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. ``But you always want a few more defensive linemen. You want some guys to improve. We still have a long way to go, and I'm glad we still have 29 more practices before our first game.''

Arkansas opens the season Sept. 7 against Boise State in Fayetteville.

On Saturday, Jackson hooked up with Sparky Hamilton on a 36-yard touchdown pass and Brennan O'Donohoe connected on field goals of 32 and 38 yards to give the Red the victory.

Red coach and defensive lineman Jermaine Brooks earned his first career win and was doused with a cooler full of water. Brooks is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Howard was leading rusher despite missing the final seven practices of the spring. Last week, Howard returned home when his older brother died unexpectedly. Saturday, Howard carried the ball nine times and averaged 5.9 yards per run.

``He is a powerful guy,'' Nutt said.

Hamilton led all receivers with 67 yards on three catches.

Ryan Sorahan led the White comeback in the fourth quarter. With the White trailing 13-0, Sorahan connected with Decori Birmingham on a 54-yard pass. On the next snap, Kyle Dickerson made an 11-yard TD run.

Birmingham made four catches for 65 yards. Cedric Cobbs was the top rusher for the White with 33 yards on three carries. Sorahan completed 4-of-9 for 64 yards. Matt Jones completed 2-of-3 for two yards.

Safety Jimarr Gallon led all tacklers with nine stops, including a tackle for loss for the White. Gavin Walls had six tackles. Jeb Huckeba, Bo Mosley and Jackson Purcell each had five tackles for the White. Red team captain Raymond House tallied two tackles including a 13-yard sack.