FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick should be fine to practice this week in preparation for South Carolina.
The Razorbacks (5-3, 1-3 SEC) play the Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPN, but the network will decide today on which of its channels.
Dick sustained a mild concussion on a hit by Florida International safety Ashlyn Parker in the second quarter. Dick did not return for the rest of Arkansas' 58-10 victory.
Backup Nathan Emert replaced Dick and completed 13 of 25 passes for 154 yards and 1 touchdown in his first extendedaction since starting for Missouri Southern in 2005.
Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said Dick should be ready to practice today. Dick had a CT scan done Saturday but could have returned to the game if needed.
His absence at least solved the question of what the Razorbacks could expect from Emert. Granted, Florida International has a 20-game losing streak and trailed 17-0 when Dick was injured, but Emert showed poise and control in the huddle and the pocket.
"Thought [Emert] came in and really did a good job of just taking control of the huddle, executing," Nutt said. "There was bright eyes. He's highly intelligent, and he's always studiedand prepared as if he was going to play every game. That's what you love about him."
South Carolina used two quarterbacks in its 27-24 overtime loss to Tennessee on Saturday. With four SEC games remaining, there is always the possibility that the Razorbacks will need to count on Emert, the son-in-law of Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee.
"Yeah, without a doubt," Nutt said of relying on Emert. "He's a guy you're not afraid to put into the ballgame, no matter where you are on the field, anytime, put him in there and turn him loose.
"You're not afraid to put him in. You know, if that happens, we're not looking for that to happen. Hopefully, Casey's ready to go, and they both will get work like we've been doing and we'll play it from there."
One receiver it appears either quarterback will have a chance to throw to is newly returned standout Marcus Monk. Monk caught 50 passes for 962 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, but he had been on the field for just one play after having two knee surgeries in the preseason.
Monk caught 2 passes for 19 yards against the Golden Panthers, including a 13-yard touchdown from Emert. Nutt said Monk should be able to contribute more the rest of the season, and he's back in time to help against a fast South Carolina defense.
"They fly around the ball," Nutt said. "You see they are not giving up many points. They are not giving up many big plays.They have the No. 1 secondary in the conference, No. 1 in pass defense.
"They've done a great job of getting everything together after they lost [linebacker Jasper Brinkley]. They are physical andfast."
Saturday was a great time for a backup to get his feet wet and a veteran to get back into the swing of things as the Golden Panthers' contributed mightily to the loss by committing seventurnovers, including five interceptions. Arkansas cornerback Jerell Norton picked one off and is tied for the SEC lead with five interceptions.
"They're doing good things at keeping offenses out of balance,off-balance a little bit, keeping them behind in the count, getting some pressure," Nutt said in praise of the defense. "Now as we jump back in the SEC, we've got to play our best football. Our guys know that."
Sports, Pages 15, 20 on 10/29/2007