ANOTHER NORMAN CONQUEST IN THE WORKS; EX-JACKSON PLAYER STARTS FOR 6-0 ARKANSAS

The way the University of Arkansas Razorbacks are rolling this year, it's enough to almost remind Nathan Norman of the days when he played high school football for Jackson's Indians.

During Norman's last two years at Jackson, the Indians went a combined 23-5 and played in two Class 4A state championship games.

Now Norman is experiencing that same kind of success at Arkansas, where the 6-foot, 234-pound junior is the starting fullback for the Razorbacks, who are 6-0 and ranked 12th and 15th nationally in the two major polls.

"It's definitely a lot of fun," said the good-natured Norman during a telephone interview from Fayetteville, Ark. "It's something else. We've always had good fans, but when you're winning, the people really get behind you."

Recalling all the success Jackson had during his final two seasons there, Norman said, "There was a quote in the locker room that said losing is a habit and winning is a habit. That's really true on any level. Once you start that winning, you get on a roll. It happened like that at Jackson and it's happening here."

Arkansas, under first-year coach Houston Nutt, is off to its best start since 1988. The Razorbacks went 4-7 in each of Norman's first two seasons, which led to coach Danny Ford's dismissal.

Norman said that Nutt, who turned struggling Murray State into one of the nation's top Division I-AA programs a few years ago, impressed the Arkansas players right off the bat.

"He really won us over early," Norman said. "He's a really good coach and I think what got all of us going with him is how he and all the new coaches he brought in are just really positive. You can tell they're really for you.

"Our record wasn't very good last year, but toward the end we were playing everybody really close. We just never could get over the hump but we had a lot of good seniors coming back. We knew we were good enough to play with everybody and we've just played with a lot of emotion. The new coaches have given us a lot of confidence."

A 1996 Jackson graduate, Norman was a standout linebacker and running back for the Indians, earning all-state honors as a senior, when he rushed for 1,200 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. He was also a wrestling star, winning the state heavyweight championship.

The winner of the Carr Trophy as the top football player in Southeast Missouri, Norman was recruited by several major colleges before choosing Arkansas.

As a true freshmen, Norman saw considerable action, then last season he started nine games at fullback, primarily serving as a blocker. He didn't touch the ball much, gaining 15 yards on six carries and catching four passes for 18 yards.

This year, despite being hampered early by an ankle injury, Norman is again the Razorbacks' regular at fullback -- and once again he's primarily serving as a blocker for the likes of tailbacks Chrys Chukwuma and Madre Hill, who have combined for nearly 900 yards.

Norman has only carried one time for one yard and caught two passes for 30 yards. But the team-oriented Norman said he really couldn't care if he ever touches the football as long as he's helping the Razorbacks win games.

"People ask me about not getting to score touchdowns or run the ball much," said Norman with a laugh. "Heck, as long as we're winning and I can help the team, that's what it's all about. You just take a lot of pride in your team. It was like that when I was at Jackson and it's the same thing now."

The Arkansas coaches certainly appreciate Norman's work habits and his unselfish play.

"He got better every day of spring practice," said running backs coach Danny Nutt, the brother of the head coach. "He is a hard worker. He comes in every day and wants to know how he can get better."

Norman is particularly pleased that many of his family members are able to see most of his games. He said his parents have been to every game -- home and away -- so far this year while his brothers also try to make it whenever possible. One of his brothers, Brandon, is an assistant coach at Jackson and was a standout at Southeast Missouri State.

"I think it's great a lot of my family members can come see me," he said.

A Kinesiology major who would perhaps some day like to own a fitness center, Norman said he's extremely happy with the decision he made three years ago to attend Arkansas -- and that held true even when the Razorbacks were struggling the last two seasons.

"Even when we weren't doing so well, I never had any regrets about coming here," he said. "The school is really good, so I'm getting a good education. The coaches always stress that, which is important. And all the teammates, the friends you make, you can't ever doubt that. I don't have any regrets."

Added Norman with a chuckle, "But the winning helps."

And Norman is hoping he can help the winning continue. The Razorbacks, after an open date this weekend, have five games left, including major tests at Tennessee and against LSU.

Arkansas figures to have an excellent chance of playing in its first bowl game since 1995, which was the last time the Razorbacks had a winning record (8-5).

"If you win six games, you're bowl eligible, so we've reached that," Norman said. "Now we're just trying to take it one week at a time and let the bowl situation take care of itself."