Bonner can run, Nutt says

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Dusty Bonner has the passing numbers of a<br>quarterback in the system of Kentucky coach Hal Mumme and a little<br>something else.<br> <br>Bonner can run some, Arkansas coach Houston

Wednesday, September 29th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Dusty Bonner has the passing numbers of a
quarterback in the system of Kentucky coach Hal Mumme and a little
something else.

Bonner can run some, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said Wednesday.

Arkansas and Kentucky, two teams looking for their first
Southeastern Conference victory, meet Saturday in Lexington. Last
year, Arkansas beat Kentucky, led by quarterback Tim Couch and wide
receiver Craig Yeast, 27-20 in Little Rock. Couch was the first
player taken in the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns and Yeast was
picked by Cincinnati in the fourth round.,

"You're hoping that since Craig Yeast, Tim Couch are gone,
you're thinking, hey, they're not going to be as good," Nutt said.
"Then you turn on the film and these guys can move the ball."

Bonner has thrown for at least 250 yards in each of Kentucky's
four games this year and is first in the SEC in passing yardage
with almost 336 yards per game. He leads the nation in pass
completions with 128 and ranks in the top five in attempts (181),
yardage (1,343) and touchdown passes (12).

"Bonner escapes a little better than Tim," Nutt said. "He
knows the offense, he understands it completely."

"He's probably about two steps faster than Tim in the 40,"
Mumme said Wednesday. "He's not quite as tall and lanky a kid.
When he pulls the ball down to run, he's pretty much trying to
score."

Bonner's ability to scramble is another dimension for the
Kentucky offense, Mumme said.

Bonner completed 36-of-48 for 254 yards, but no touchdowns, in
last week's 38-10 loss to Florida.

Mumme called the loss disappointing, but said the Wildcats
improved in certain areas. "We're anxious to get back out there
and try it again Saturday," he said.

"Any time you lose, there is a sense of urgency to win,"
Bonner said. "I don't put a whole season on one game, but to get
to a bowl game, you've got to win six. And until you get to six,
every game is important."

No. 20 Arkansas lost 35-28 at Alabama last week and Nutt said
the players were down on Monday because they expected to win. By
Tuesday, he said, the attitude had improved.

He said the Wildcats have two backs who can catch the ball and
run. Anthony White rushed for more than 100 yards against
Connecticut and Indiana and his backup, Derek Homer, carried 16
times for 83 yards against Florida.

"We've got to do a good job with the front four," he said.
"We've got to eliminate the big play."

Alabama quarterback Andrew Zow completed passes of 43 and 35
yards against Arkansas and a pass by wide receiver Freddie Milons
was good for 66 yards and the deciding touchdown. The Crimson Tide
also had a 33-yard run on its way to 494 yards.

Arkansas ran for a Nutt-era low 64 yards against Alabama. "Part
of it ... I probably didn't really give the run much of a chance,
as much as I should have," Nutt said. Tailbacks Cedric Cobbs and
Chrys Chukwuma had nine carries each and no fullback carried the
ball.

Clint Stoerner, a week after a shoulder separation, completed
24-of-52 for 316 yards.