Arkansas Razorbacks football
Encyclopedia
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football
team that represents the University of Arkansas
. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference
's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA). The program has 13 conference championships, 45 All-Americans, and a record of 676–451–40. The Razorbacks are 23rd on college football's all-time winningest programs list. The Razorbacks are currently coached by Bobby Petrino
, who is in his fourth year coaching at the University of Arkansas, and home games are played at two locations: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
in Fayetteville, Arkansas
, and War Memorial Stadium
in Little Rock, Arkansas
.
The first University of Arkansas
football team was formed in 1894
and coached by John Futrall
, who was a Latin
professor at the University. That team played three games: two against Fort Smith High School
and one against Texas
. Before the 1909 season, Arkansas was called the Cardinals and a bird was the school's mascot. The name and mascot changed following the 1909
season when the football team, coached by Hugo Bezdek
, finished 7–0.
Arkansas prevailed over powerhouses Oklahoma, LSU and Washington of St. Louis
in 1909, and was declared unofficial champions of the South and Southwest. It was with the help of Steve Creekmore that this was accomplished. Creekmore became perhaps the first Razorback star, a quarterback from Van Buren
who initially played only intramurals
. Bezdek used Creekmore to install a very early edition of the hurry-up offense
, as the team never huddled and chased the ball after every play. Creekmore was also known for "fast and slippery running, blocking, and passing" and could also return punts and tackle well.
There are differing stories about the origins of 'Razorbacks', however. During this season Bezdek proclaimed his team played "like a wild band of razorback
hogs
" and the phrase was so popular that the Cardinals changed their name for the 1910
season. An account from Phil Huntley, a member of the 1909 team, says that when the team got off the train in Dallas
someone yelled "here come the hogs." Bezdek then said, "Boys, I like that. We're the Razorbacks from now on." These accounts could both be true. With the new name, the Hogs defeated LSU 51-0 and gave Texas A&M their only loss in 1910, but fell short of another perfect season, losing 5-0 to Kansas State
.
In 1913, Arkansas quarterback J.L. Carter and the Razorbacks lost to Ole Miss, and took a fateful train to Arkadelphia
to play Ouachita Baptist
. While Carter was eating, he was invited to a meeting of Ouachita boosters. He transferred (which took place immediately at the time) and defeated Arkansas 15-9 in 1914.
The Hogs would be contacted by L. Theo Bellmont
in 1913 in his attempt to create an intercollegiate conference to regulate use of ringers. Hugo Bezdek, since replaced by E. T. Pickering
, had recommended the Hogs to join a conference before he left to coach at Oregon
.
, Rice
, Texas
, Texas A&M
) and Oklahoma
(Oklahoma
, Oklahoma A&M
). Southwestern (TX)
would also join, but leave the following year. The Razorbacks wouldn't have a winning conference record until 1920, and wouldn't win the conference until 1936. Arkansas had the best record during the 1933 season, but had to forfeit the SWC Championship because Ulysses "Heine" Schleuter, who had no eligibility remaining, played on the team. Schleuter had told coach Fred Thomsen
that he was eligible, but he was recognized by an SMU player during the game as a former Cornhusker
. The Hogs did accept an invitation to the 1934 Dixie Classic
, a precursor to today's Cotton Bowl Classic.
Arkansas became rivals
with Ole Miss
due to proximity. Although not SWC members, Ole Miss played Arkansas intermittently until a yearly series began from 1952–1961.
During the 1938 season, the Razorbacks replaced their 300-seat stadium known as The Hill with Bailey Stadium
, named after Arkansas
governor Carl Bailey
. It was known as University Stadium for one game before being changed to honor the governor. This stadium still exists today, although heavily renovated, as Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
, the current home of the Razorbacks.
Arkansas won the conference in 1946, earning a bid in the 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic with LSU
. The game would become known as the Ice Bowl, as a winter storm hit Dallas before the game. The two rivals battled to a scoreless tie, with Razorback great Clyde Scott
tackling an LSU Tiger at the one yardline to preserve the tie on the second-to-last play of the game. LSU would fail to complete the field goal attempt on the next play. The Razorbacks defeated William & Mary the next year in the 1948 Dixie Bowl
.
In 1954, the Ole Miss rivalry
would catch fire. The Hogs played the Rebels in War Memorial Stadium
on October 23, 1954. The Rebels were ranked #5 by the AP Poll entering the game, and Arkansas was picked to finish last in the SWC. The contest would be decided by a 66-yard halfback pass
from tailback Buddy Bob Benson to blocking back Preston Carpenter
, the only score of the game. This is referred to as the Powder River Play, and "perhaps the most important in Arkansas football history to that time" by Orville Henry, a member of the 1954 team. The Hogs would get back to the Cotton Bowl Classic in 1954, only to be defeated by Georgia Tech
. Frank Broyles
was an assistant under Jacket head coach Bobby Dodd
in the game.
During this period, Arkansas developed rivalries with Texas
and Texas A&M
because of the closeness of those campuses.
was hired as head football coach in 1957 and served in that position for 19 years. Arkansas would grow to a national power with Broyles at the helm, including several conference championships and a national title.
Arkansas would earn a share of the 1959 SWC Championship, splitting with Texas. Arkansas lost only to #3 Texas and #6 Ole Miss during the season. The Hogs went to Jacksonville
and defeated Georgia Tech in the 1960 Gator Bowl
14-7, avenging an earlier Cotton Bowl Classic defeat. Barry Switzer
was a co-captain on the team. Some, including University
Chancellor and student during 1958, John White, view the Razorback football team during this period as a revival of Arkansas
, which was recovering from the Little Rock Nine
and racial segregation
problems.
The 1960's
was the best decade in Arkansas football history. ESPN ranked Arkansas the 19th most prestigious program in college football
, but if only this decade was included, the Hogs would be 10th.
1960 brought another SWC crown, and a Cotton Bowl Classic invitation for the Hogs, who were ranked as high as 7th during the season. The Razorbacks lost to #2 Ole Miss and #20 Baylor
, but defeated #11 Texas in Austin
, bringing the championship to Fayetteville
. The Hogs lost to Duke, 7-6, because of a blocked extra point.
The following season brought another shared SWC championship with Texas. The Hogs were defeated by the Longhorns 33-7, as well as the #9 Ole Miss Rebels, warranting an invitation to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl
. #1 Alabama defeated the Razorbacks 10-3. The Crimson Tide had been declared National Champions before the game, which was the procedure at the time. The Hogs would fight this system in 1964, when the same Alabama team would claim the 1964 AP crown before losing the Sugar Bowl to the Texas Longhorns, a team Arkansas defeated in Austin, TX during the regular season. Arkansas won the Cotton Bowl Classic over Nebraska, 10-7
Broyles' team was awarded the 1964 National Championship
by the Football Writers Association of America
and the Helms Athletic Foundation
. The FWAA and HAF awarded their National Championships to Arkansas, who was the only team to go undefeated through the bowl games that year, as Alabama lost in the Sugar Bowl
to Texas, a team Arkansas had defeated. At the time, the Associated Press
(AP) and UPI
awarded their national titles before the bowl games, and gave their trophies to the University of Alabama
.
The next season, 1965
, the Razorbacks were 10-0 in the regular season, and were once again the Southwest Conference Champions. That sent the Razorbacks back to the Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Day, this time to play against LSU. Because of the controversy in determining the national champions in 1964, the AP polls would wait until after the bowl games to announce its champion. With top-ranked Michigan State losing in the Rose Bowl
, the #2 Razorbacks had a chance to become national champions, but were defeated 14-7 by the Tigers.
Arkansas would return to the field in 1966 ranked fifth, but losses against unranked Baylor and Texas Tech would prevent the 8-2 Hogs from playing in a bowl game. Loyd Phillips
was a consensus All-American defensive tackle on the team. Phillips also took home the Outland Trophy
.
After struggling in 1967, the Hogs returned to the postseason in 1968. #9 Arkansas defeated #2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl
, 16-2. Freshman receiver Chuck Dicus
scored the only touchdown of the game for the Razorbacks.
In 1969, the Razorbacks had another chance to claim the national title, when #2 Arkansas played the #1 Texas Longhorns, coached by Darrell Royal
, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
. The game, known as "The Big Shootout
" or the Game of the Century, is perhaps the most notable football game in Razorbacks history. Arkansas led 14-0 at halftime, but Texas stormed back and took a 15-14 lead on a two-point conversion play, after a questionable passing play was called late in the game by then coach Frank Broyles, which was intercepted by Texas. President Richard Nixon
was in attendance, and proclaimed Texas the national champions, even though they had a bowl game to play, and Penn State was also undefeated. Arkansas would lose to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl
, 22–27, and Texas would beat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic
for the national title.
The 1970's
would bring more success for Broyles, led by Razorback standouts Chuck Dicus
and Ben Cowins
. The 1970 edition of the Razorbacks would go 9-2, with the nine consecutive wins bookended by losses in the opener to #10 Stanford and the finale to #1 Texas. The 1971 Razorbacks went 8-3-1, including upset wins over #7 Cal and #10 Texas. They were invited to the Liberty Bowl
, but fell to #9 Tennessee, 13-14. The 1972-1974 seasons would be mediocre, as Arkansas struggled to defeat the Texas teams. The Hogs went 11-8-2 against schools in Texas, but failed to beat the University of Texas during the span. The highlight of the period was an upset of #5 Southern Cal in War Memorial Stadium.
Broyles would win his seventh and final Southwest Conference championship in 1975. The contest with Texas A&M was moved until the end of the year, as it was expected to decide the Southwest Conference championship. The Razorbacks did not disappoint, as Arkansas defeated #2 Texas A&M, 31-6, in War Memorial Stadium. The win forced the Aggies to share the conference championship with Texas and Arkansas. However, the tie-breaker went to Arkansas, thus Arkansas received the invitation to the Cotton Bowl Classic
. Arkansas would fall behind Georgia early on in that game, but came roaring back to beat the Bulldogs easily, 31-10. Arkansas finished ranked #7 in the AP and #6 in the UPI that season.
The Razorbacks would continue under Broyles with limited success in 1976 before Lou Holtz
took over the head coaching position for 1977.
After Broyles left coaching and became athletic director at Arkansas, he hired Lou Holtz
to take his former position. Holtz served as head football coach from 1977 through the 1983 season.
Holtz led the Razorbacks through a 10-1 regular season, losing only to #2 Texas. The #6 Hogs were invited to play in the Orange Bowl
against #2 Oklahoma. The Sooners had a chance to become national champions with a win over the shorthanded Razorbacks, who had suffered a season-long rash of injuries and player suspensions. Prior to Christmas, the University announced that star running back Ben Cowins
, leading receiver Donny Bobo, and back-up running back Michael Forrest would all be sent back to Fayetteville. Following the suspensions, numerous African-American players on the team threatened to boycott
the game. The always-quotable Holtz said two days before the game, "I'm one step short of suicide".
The Razorbacks found an unlikely hero in Roland Sales, who rushed for 205 yards on 23 carries and two scores. Sales also led the Hogs in receiving in the contest, and quarterback Ron Calcagni
outplayed flashy OU QB Thomas Lott. The Hogs ended the Sooners' hope with a 31–6 victory. This game is notable not only as one of the biggest upsets in Razorback football history, but also for the cast of characters. University of Arkansas alumnus Barry Switzer
coached the Sooners in the contest, and late in the game future Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt
played quarterback for Holtz.
1978 brought a 9-2 regular season, losing back-to-back games at #8 Texas and at #11 Houston
. A 49-7 win over #16 Texas A&M did give the Hogs a Fiesta Bowl
berth, but the Razorbacks and UCLA Bruins
would battle to a 10-10 tie.
In 1979, Holtz's Razorbacks won a share of the Southwest Conference (sharing with Houston). The 10-2 Hogs defeated nemesis #2 Texas in Little Rock, but lost an outright conference title when they lost to #6 Houston in Fayetteville. Earning a bid to the Sugar Bowl
, the #6 Hogs were set to play #2 Alabama with a shot at the national championship. Instead, Alabama defeated the Razorbacks 24–9
, winning their sixth claimed national title.
The Razorbacks would continue to succeed under Holtz, winning the 1980 Hall of Fame Classic following 1980 and defeating the hated #1 Texas Longhorns 42-11 in 1981. Despite winning another bowl game in 1982, a 6-5 season in 1983 would be the end of the Holtz era. At the time, athletic director Frank Broyles stated that Holtz had resigned and was not fired, but two decades later Broyles acknowledged that Holtz was indeed fired because his actions were negatively affecting the fan base.
Holtz left the program with a mark of 60-21-2. His teams reached six consecutive bowls (1977–1983), but only won one split conference championship. Holtz used a very conservative option offense.
Ken Hatfield
would replace Holtz in 1984. Hatfield played defensive back for AD Frank Brolyes on the 1964 National Championship team, but the two did not have a very friendly relationship. Despite a record of 55-17-1 and a SWC title, Hatfield would leave following 1989 when Broyles signed a five year extension with the University.
During this tumultuous period, Broyles engineered the move from the dying Southwest Conference to the flourishing Southeastern Conference (SEC)
. The conference also added the University of South Carolina
for 1991. The SWC would continue until 1996, when it disbanded.
Arkansas next hired rookie head coach Jack Crowe
, but he would be fired following a loss to The Citadel in the 1992 season opener. Danny Ford
, who was replaced by Hatfield at Clemson in 1990, took over in 1993.
On December 10, 1997, Houston Nutt
was hired by the University of Arkansas to succeed Danny Ford
.
In his first year, the Arkansas Razorbacks were 9-3 and had a share of the SEC Western division title. The Razorbacks received their first-ever invitation to the Citrus Bowl
where the Razorbacks lost to the University of Michigan
Wolverines
, ending the season ranked 16th. During this season, Nutt was selected as the Football News' National Coach of the Year.
Nutt resigned during a press conference at Arkansas on November 26, 2007, three days after the Razorbacks defeated the #1 LSU Tigers
50–48 in three overtimes. Over the course of his 10 seasons coaching the Arkansas Razorbacks, Nutt compiled a record of 75–48 and his coached teams went to bowls 8 out of the 10 seasons. His teams were first in the SEC West 3 times: in 1998 (shared with Mississippi State), 2002 (shared with LSU & Auburn), and 2006 (outright). The Hogs played in the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in 2002 and 2006.
to coach the college ranks again. The 2008 season was expected to be a transition year for the team and Petrino. Though eliminated from bowl contention, Petrino led the Razorbacks to a last-second victory over rival and defending national champions LSU
to finish the season 5-7 with a conference mark of 2-6. His 2009 Razorbacks
went 8-5 and won the 2010 Liberty Bowl
against East Carolina. The 2010 Arkansas Razorbacks improved on their 2009 record and won 6 in a row to end the year after earlier losses to Alabama and Auburn. Arkansas finished the season 10-2 overall and earned a BCS bowl birth. The Razorbacks lost the BCS Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans against the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 31 to 26. This marked the first time Arkansas and Ohio State ever met in either a regular season or post season game. This was also the first BCS bowl for Arkansas in the BCS era. Under Petrino's tutelage, quarterback Ryan Mallett
broke numerous school passing records in 2010 as well.
in 1908. Arkansas and Mississippi played many times sporadically in the following years. In addition to several single years of playing each other, the two teams played each other from 1940–47 and 1952-62 on an annual basis. The Razorbacks and Rebels also met twice in the Sugar Bowl
played in New Orleans, in 1963 and 1970. Since 1981, the two teams have played each other annually in football. (since 1992 as conference and Division rivals) In 2001, Arkansas and Ole Miss had an NCAA record seven-overtime game in Oxford, MS; The amount of overtimes has since been tied, but has not yet been beaten. (Arkansas ended up winning with a final score of 58-56) The recent Houston Nutt controversies and departure to Ole Miss has added to and heightened the long standing rivalry between the schools. Ole Miss is also the closest SEC school to Arkansas in terms of distance, and Arkansas has played Ole Miss more total times than any other SEC opponent.
in 1992, the Razorbacks have developed an intense rivalry with the LSU Tigers
. The game is played annually the day after Thanksgiving
and is televised on CBS
. The winner of the game has taken home the "Golden Boot
", which is a 24-karat gold trophy in the shape of the two states, since its creation in 1996.
Recently, the series has come to represent an important game in the SEC Western Division, with either Arkansas or LSU representing the Western Division in the SEC Championship Game
on several occasions. In 2002, the rivalry gained momentum as the game winner would represent the Western Division of the SEC in the SEC Championship Game. The game (called "Miracle on Markham") was won by Arkansas on a last second touchdown pass by Matt Jones
. In 2006, the Tigers
snapped the SEC West champion Razorbacks'
10-game winning streak when they were beaten by LSU in Little Rock
, 26–31. In 2007, Arkansas
stunned top-ranked LSU in triple overtime, 50–48, giving them their first win in Baton Rouge since 1993, and their first victory over a top-ranked team since beating Texas in 1982, winning back the Golden Boot trophy
(after 4 consecutive seasons in the hands of LSU) in the process. In 2008, the Razorbacks defended the trophy, winning 31-30 on a last minute touchdown drive. LSU currently leads the series 34–20–2.
Though the Arkansas-Texas game has not been regularly played since Arkansas's departure from the Southwest Conference in 1991, the Longhorns are still considered by some to be the Razorbacks' top rival. There are many contributions that led to some Razorback fans considering the Longhorns as their top rival, including the result of the 1969 Game of the Century
(also known as "The Big Shootout") which eventually led to the Longhorns' 1969 national championship. The Longhorns lead the series 56–21–0.
in 1903. From 1934–1991, the two had played annually as Southwest Conference members. The series, however, ceased in 1991, when Arkansas left the SWC to join the Southeastern Conference
. Arkansas leads all-time 41–24–3. On March 10, 2008, officials from both schools announced the revival of the series, which continued on October 3, 2009. The game was played in Cowboys Stadium, and was won by Arkansas. 47-19. The initial agreement between the two schools allows the game to be played for at least 10 years, followed by 5 consecutive, 4-year rollover options, allowing the game to be played for a total of 30 consecutive seasons.
era, and have been an alternate off and on for several years. From 1998 to 2002, and then again in 2004, red pants were the standard on the road while white pants were worn as an alternate. Wearing red pants at home, which some fans consider a curse, happened so infrequently that many forgot it was possible. The Razorbacks wore all red in 2000, but did not wear them again until 2008 in the Cotton Bowl Classic. However, when coach Bobby Petrino took the rein
s, he developed an entirely different uniform, and the Hogs came out for the season opener in all red. This marked the first time for all red to be worn in consecutive games and also the first time that red pants were worn with a white stripe. It is unknown how many alternate jerseys may have been designed.
.
Conference affiliations
as winner of the SEC Western Division but are 0-3 in those appearances. Arkansas was also the SEC Western Division co-champions in 1998 with Mississippi State but did not represent the SEC Western Division in the SEC Championship Game. In 2002 Alabama had the best conference record in the west with a 6-2 mark, but had been prohibited by the NCAA from participating in post season activity. Arkansas played in the SEC Championship game via being the winner of a three-way tie with Auburn and LSU, both of whom Arkansas had beaten that season.
Every year, players are selected by several publications to be placed on their All-American team for that season. The NCAA officially recognizes five All-American lists which includes AP, American Football Coaches Association
(AFCA), Football Writers Association of America
(FWAA), Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation
(WCFF). A consensus All-American is determined using a point system; three points if the player was selected for the first team, two points for the second team, and one point for the third team. Arkansas has had 45 All-Americans (20 consensus) in its history.
Offense
Lineman
Bud Brooks
Fred Childress
Leotis Harris
Glen Ray Hines
Steve Korte
R.C. Thielemann
Receivers
Jim Benton
Bobby Crockett
Chuck Dicus
Wear Schoonover
Running Backs
Lance Alworth
Leon Campbell
Barry Foster
Jim Mooty
Clyde Scott
Quarterbacks
Joe Ferguson
Quinn Grovey
Lamar McHan
Bill Montgomery
Defense
Lineman
Dan Hampton
Dave Hanner
Wayne Martin
Loyd Phillips
Billy Ray Smith, Sr.
Billy Ray Smith, Jr.
Fred Williams
Linebackers
Ronnie Caveness
Wayne Harris
Cliff Powell
Dennis Winston
Secondary
Steve Atwater
Alton Baldwin
Martine Bercher
Ken Hatfield
Billy Moore
Kickers
Steve Cox
Steve Little
Pat Summerall
. The Razorbacks began playing football at Razorback Stadium in 1938 where they beat Oklahoma A&M
27–7. The stadium was dedicated to Donald W. Reynolds
for the $20 million donation from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to help finance the major expansion in 2001 which raised the seating capacity from 51,000 to 76,000. The playing field was dedicated to former head coach and athletic director Frank Broyles
in 2007 and is now called the Frank Broyles Field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
with a seating capacity of 53,727. War Memorial Stadium usually host two to three Razorbacks' football games a season, including the Battle for the Golden Boot
when the Razorbacks host the game against LSU. They also play Mississippi State in Little Rock.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team that represents the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA). The program has 13 conference championships, 45 All-Americans, and a record of 676–451–40. The Razorbacks are 23rd on college football's all-time winningest programs list. The Razorbacks are currently coached by Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
, who is in his fourth year coaching at the University of Arkansas, and home games are played at two locations: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and serves as the home field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team since its opening in 1938. The stadium was formerly known as Razorback Stadium since 1941 before being renamed in 2001...
in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
, and War Memorial Stadium
War Memorial Stadium (Arkansas)
War Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The stadium is primarily used for American football and is the home stadium for the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes, Catholic High School Rockets, and the secondary home stadium for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks...
in Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
.
Early years (1894–1914)
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
football team was formed in 1894
Arkansas Razorbacks football, 1894-1899
The Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas between 1894 and 1899.-1894:-1895:-1896:-1897:-1898:-1899:...
and coached by John Futrall
John C. Futrall
-External links:*...
, who was a Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
professor at the University. That team played three games: two against Fort Smith High School
Northside High School (Fort Smith, Arkansas)
Northside High School is one of two public high schools in the city of Fort Smith, Arkansas . Within the state, the school is commonly known as Fort Smith Northside.-History:On November 19, 1928, Fort Smith High School moved into a new building on 23rd and B Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas...
and one against Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. Before the 1909 season, Arkansas was called the Cardinals and a bird was the school's mascot. The name and mascot changed following the 1909
Arkansas Razorbacks football, 1900-1909
-1900:-Schedule:-1901:-Schedule:-1902:-Schedule:-1903:-Schedule:-1904:-Schedule:-1905:-Overview:...
season when the football team, coached by Hugo Bezdek
Hugo Bezdek
Hugo Francis Bezdek was a Czech-American sports figure who played American football and was a coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He was the head football coach at the University of Oregon , the University of Arkansas , Penn State University , and Delaware Valley College...
, finished 7–0.
Arkansas prevailed over powerhouses Oklahoma, LSU and Washington of St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
in 1909, and was declared unofficial champions of the South and Southwest. It was with the help of Steve Creekmore that this was accomplished. Creekmore became perhaps the first Razorback star, a quarterback from Van Buren
Van Buren, Arkansas
Van Buren is the second largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area and the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. The city is located directly northeast of Fort Smith at the Interstate 40 - Interstate 540 junction...
who initially played only intramurals
Intramural sports
Intramural sports or intramurals are recreational sports organized within a set geographic area. The term derives from the Latin words intra muros meaning "within walls", and was used to indicate sports matches and contests that took place among teams from "within the walls" of an ancient city...
. Bezdek used Creekmore to install a very early edition of the hurry-up offense
Hurry-up offense
The hurry-up offense is an American football offensive style which has two different but related forms in which the offensive team avoids delays between plays. The no-huddle offense refers to avoiding or shortening the huddle to limit or disrupt defensive strategies and flexibility...
, as the team never huddled and chased the ball after every play. Creekmore was also known for "fast and slippery running, blocking, and passing" and could also return punts and tackle well.
There are differing stories about the origins of 'Razorbacks', however. During this season Bezdek proclaimed his team played "like a wild band of razorback
Razorback
Razorback is an Americanism, loosely applied to any type of feral pig or wild boar in North America. The term has also appeared in Australia, to describe said animals in that country.-Introduction to the Americas:...
hogs
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
" and the phrase was so popular that the Cardinals changed their name for the 1910
Arkansas Razorbacks football, 1910-1919
-1910:-Overview:This was the first season that the team representing the University of Arkansas was nicknamed Razorbacks instead of Cardinals. This change came because coach Hugo Bezdek said his team "fought like a band of wild razorback hogs" during their 7–0 1909 campaign.Texas Southwestern...
season. An account from Phil Huntley, a member of the 1909 team, says that when the team got off the train in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
someone yelled "here come the hogs." Bezdek then said, "Boys, I like that. We're the Razorbacks from now on." These accounts could both be true. With the new name, the Hogs defeated LSU 51-0 and gave Texas A&M their only loss in 1910, but fell short of another perfect season, losing 5-0 to Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
.
In 1913, Arkansas quarterback J.L. Carter and the Razorbacks lost to Ole Miss, and took a fateful train to Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,548. The city is the county seat of Clark County. The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State...
to play Ouachita Baptist
Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University is a private, liberal arts, undergraduate institution located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, which is about 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. The university's name is taken from the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern campus boundary. It is affiliated with the Arkansas...
. While Carter was eating, he was invited to a meeting of Ouachita boosters. He transferred (which took place immediately at the time) and defeated Arkansas 15-9 in 1914.
The Hogs would be contacted by L. Theo Bellmont
L. Theo Bellmont
L. Theo Bellmont was an Athletics Director, Professor and Director of Physical Training, and men's basketball coach at The University of Texas at Austin....
in 1913 in his attempt to create an intercollegiate conference to regulate use of ringers. Hugo Bezdek, since replaced by E. T. Pickering
E. T. Pickering
-External links:...
, had recommended the Hogs to join a conference before he left to coach at Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
.
Early Southwest Conference (1915–1957)
The Razorbacks joined the Southwest Conference (SWC) as charter members in 1915. The conference also included teams from Texas (BaylorBaylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
, Rice
Rice Owls football
The Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
, Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
, Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
) and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
(Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, Oklahoma A&M
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
). Southwestern (TX)
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is a private, four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Texas, USA. Founded in 1840, Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church although the curriculum is nonsectarian...
would also join, but leave the following year. The Razorbacks wouldn't have a winning conference record until 1920, and wouldn't win the conference until 1936. Arkansas had the best record during the 1933 season, but had to forfeit the SWC Championship because Ulysses "Heine" Schleuter, who had no eligibility remaining, played on the team. Schleuter had told coach Fred Thomsen
Fred Thomsen
-External links:*...
that he was eligible, but he was recognized by an SMU player during the game as a former Cornhusker
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference...
. The Hogs did accept an invitation to the 1934 Dixie Classic
1934 Dixie Classic
The 1934 Dixie Classic was a post-season college football bowl game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the . Arkansas and Centenary tied the game, 7-7...
, a precursor to today's Cotton Bowl Classic.
Arkansas became rivals
Arkansas-Ole Miss rivalry
The Arkansas–Ole Miss football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the Ole Miss Rebels football team of the University of Mississippi...
with Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels
University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school...
due to proximity. Although not SWC members, Ole Miss played Arkansas intermittently until a yearly series began from 1952–1961.
During the 1938 season, the Razorbacks replaced their 300-seat stadium known as The Hill with Bailey Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and serves as the home field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team since its opening in 1938. The stadium was formerly known as Razorback Stadium since 1941 before being renamed in 2001...
, named after Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
governor Carl Bailey
Carl Edward Bailey
Carl Edward Bailey was the 31st Governor of Arkansas from 1937 to 1941.-Early life and career:Carl Edward Bailey was born in Bernie, Missouri. He attended Missouri public schools and graduated from high school in Campbell, Missouri in 1912. Bailey wished to attend the University of Missouri but...
. It was known as University Stadium for one game before being changed to honor the governor. This stadium still exists today, although heavily renovated, as Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and serves as the home field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team since its opening in 1938. The stadium was formerly known as Razorback Stadium since 1941 before being renamed in 2001...
, the current home of the Razorbacks.
Arkansas won the conference in 1946, earning a bid in the 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic with LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
. The game would become known as the Ice Bowl, as a winter storm hit Dallas before the game. The two rivals battled to a scoreless tie, with Razorback great Clyde Scott
Clyde Scott
Clyde Scott is a retired American athlete who competed professionally in the National Football League and earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles....
tackling an LSU Tiger at the one yardline to preserve the tie on the second-to-last play of the game. LSU would fail to complete the field goal attempt on the next play. The Razorbacks defeated William & Mary the next year in the 1948 Dixie Bowl
1948 Dixie Bowl
The 1948 Dixie Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the William & Mary Indians. In the inaugural Dixie Bowl, Arkansas defeated William & Mary, who was ranked fourteenth by the AP Poll, 21–29. The final Dixie Bowl was played on 1949...
.
In 1954, the Ole Miss rivalry
Arkansas-Ole Miss rivalry
The Arkansas–Ole Miss football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the Ole Miss Rebels football team of the University of Mississippi...
would catch fire. The Hogs played the Rebels in War Memorial Stadium
War Memorial Stadium (Arkansas)
War Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The stadium is primarily used for American football and is the home stadium for the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes, Catholic High School Rockets, and the secondary home stadium for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks...
on October 23, 1954. The Rebels were ranked #5 by the AP Poll entering the game, and Arkansas was picked to finish last in the SWC. The contest would be decided by a 66-yard halfback pass
Trick play
A trick play, also known as a gadget play or a gimmick play, is a play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team. A trick play is often risky, offering the potential for a large gain or a touchdown if it is successful, but with the chance of a...
from tailback Buddy Bob Benson to blocking back Preston Carpenter
Preston Carpenter
Verba Preston Carpenter was a professional American football player who played wide receiver, tight end, running back and special teams for eleven seasons for five different teams in the National Football League and the American Football League...
, the only score of the game. This is referred to as the Powder River Play, and "perhaps the most important in Arkansas football history to that time" by Orville Henry, a member of the 1954 team. The Hogs would get back to the Cotton Bowl Classic in 1954, only to be defeated by Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. Frank Broyles
Frank Broyles
John Franklin Broyles is a former American football player and coach, athletics administrator, and broadcaster. He served as the head football coach the University of Missouri in 1957 and at the University of Arkansas from 1958 to 1976...
was an assistant under Jacket head coach Bobby Dodd
Bobby Dodd
Robert Lee Dodd was an American college football coach at Georgia Tech. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player and coach, something that only three people have accomplished....
in the game.
During this period, Arkansas developed rivalries with Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
and Texas A&M
Arkansas-Texas A&M rivalry
The Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry, also known as the Southwest Classic, is an American college football rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the Texas A&M Aggies football team of Texas A&M University. The football rivalry dates back to...
because of the closeness of those campuses.
Broyles era (1958–1976)
Frank BroylesFrank Broyles
John Franklin Broyles is a former American football player and coach, athletics administrator, and broadcaster. He served as the head football coach the University of Missouri in 1957 and at the University of Arkansas from 1958 to 1976...
was hired as head football coach in 1957 and served in that position for 19 years. Arkansas would grow to a national power with Broyles at the helm, including several conference championships and a national title.
Arkansas would earn a share of the 1959 SWC Championship, splitting with Texas. Arkansas lost only to #3 Texas and #6 Ole Miss during the season. The Hogs went to Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
and defeated Georgia Tech in the 1960 Gator Bowl
1960 Gator Bowl (January)
The 1960 Gator Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Southwest Conference co-champion Arkansas Razorbacks and the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech representing the SEC. Arkansas defeated Georgia Tech, 14-7, in front of 45,104 spectators...
14-7, avenging an earlier Cotton Bowl Classic defeat. Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...
was a co-captain on the team. Some, including University
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Chancellor and student during 1958, John White, view the Razorback football team during this period as a revival of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, which was recovering from the Little Rock Nine
Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine was a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The ensuing Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, and then...
and racial segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
problems.
The 1960's
Arkansas Razorbacks football, 1960-1969
-1960:-Schedule:-Cotton Bowl Classic:-1961:-Schedule:-Sugar Bowl:-1962:-Overview:Quarterback Billy Moore was voted an All-American. Moore scored 14 touchdowns, which tied him with Miami University's kicker Bob Jencks in scoring...
was the best decade in Arkansas football history. ESPN ranked Arkansas the 19th most prestigious program in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
, but if only this decade was included, the Hogs would be 10th.
1960 brought another SWC crown, and a Cotton Bowl Classic invitation for the Hogs, who were ranked as high as 7th during the season. The Razorbacks lost to #2 Ole Miss and #20 Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
, but defeated #11 Texas in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, bringing the championship to Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. The Hogs lost to Duke, 7-6, because of a blocked extra point.
The following season brought another shared SWC championship with Texas. The Hogs were defeated by the Longhorns 33-7, as well as the #9 Ole Miss Rebels, warranting an invitation to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl
1962 Sugar Bowl
The 1962 Sugar Bowl featured the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, and the 9th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.-Alabama:Alabama entered the contest undefeated and as champions of the SEC.-Arkansas:...
. #1 Alabama defeated the Razorbacks 10-3. The Crimson Tide had been declared National Champions before the game, which was the procedure at the time. The Hogs would fight this system in 1964, when the same Alabama team would claim the 1964 AP crown before losing the Sugar Bowl to the Texas Longhorns, a team Arkansas defeated in Austin, TX during the regular season. Arkansas won the Cotton Bowl Classic over Nebraska, 10-7
1964 NCAA University Division football season
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA cites national champions based on the final results of '"wire service'" polls. The AP poll in 1964 consisted of the votes of 55 sportswriters, each of whom...
by the Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
and the Helms Athletic Foundation
Helms Athletic Foundation
The Helms Athletic Foundation was an athletic foundation based in Los Angeles, founded in 1936 by Bill Schroeder and Paul Helms. It put together a panel of experts to select National Champion teams and make All-America team selections in a number of college sports including football and basketball...
. The FWAA and HAF awarded their National Championships to Arkansas, who was the only team to go undefeated through the bowl games that year, as Alabama lost in the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
to Texas, a team Arkansas had defeated. At the time, the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
(AP) and UPI
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
awarded their national titles before the bowl games, and gave their trophies to the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
.
The next season, 1965
1965 college football season
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA did recognize a national champion based upon the final results of "wire service" polls. The "writers' poll" by Associated Press was the most popular,...
, the Razorbacks were 10-0 in the regular season, and were once again the Southwest Conference Champions. That sent the Razorbacks back to the Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Day, this time to play against LSU. Because of the controversy in determining the national champions in 1964, the AP polls would wait until after the bowl games to announce its champion. With top-ranked Michigan State losing in the Rose Bowl
1966 Rose Bowl
The 1966 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1966 was the 52nd Rose Bowl Game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the #1 ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 14–12. UCLA defensive back Bob Stiles was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.-Teams:...
, the #2 Razorbacks had a chance to become national champions, but were defeated 14-7 by the Tigers.
Arkansas would return to the field in 1966 ranked fifth, but losses against unranked Baylor and Texas Tech would prevent the 8-2 Hogs from playing in a bowl game. Loyd Phillips
Loyd Phillips
Loyd Phillips is a former professional football player and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the 1966 Outland Trophy as the country's most outstanding interior lineman while playing at the University of Arkansas.As a defensive tackle at Arkansas, Phillips was...
was a consensus All-American defensive tackle on the team. Phillips also took home the Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
.
1969 Sugar Bowl
The 1969 edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the 4th ranked Georgia Bulldogs, and the 9th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. Chuck Dicus was named Sugar Bowl MVP after catching 12 passes.-Arkansas:...
, 16-2. Freshman receiver Chuck Dicus
Chuck Dicus
Charles Wayne "Chuck" Dicus is a former American football wide receiver and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dicus played college football at the University of Arkansas as well as two seasons in the National Football League...
scored the only touchdown of the game for the Razorbacks.
In 1969, the Razorbacks had another chance to claim the national title, when #2 Arkansas played the #1 Texas Longhorns, coached by Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. The game, known as "The Big Shootout
1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game
The 1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game, dubbed The Big Shootout and sometimes referred to as the "Game of The Century", was a legendary college football game on December 6, 1969 in which the top-ranked Texas Longhorns visited the second-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium in...
" or the Game of the Century, is perhaps the most notable football game in Razorbacks history. Arkansas led 14-0 at halftime, but Texas stormed back and took a 15-14 lead on a two-point conversion play, after a questionable passing play was called late in the game by then coach Frank Broyles, which was intercepted by Texas. President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
was in attendance, and proclaimed Texas the national champions, even though they had a bowl game to play, and Penn State was also undefeated. Arkansas would lose to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl
1970 Sugar Bowl
The 1970 Sugar Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the . In the thirty-sixth Sugar Bowl, #13 Ole Miss upset #3 Arkansas, 27–22.-Setting:...
, 22–27, and Texas would beat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic
1970 Cotton Bowl Classic
The 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic was a postseason college football bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Texas won the game, 21–17, and secured its second consensus National Championship in school history.-External links:...
for the national title.
The 1970's
Arkansas Razorbacks football, 1970-1979
-1970:-Overview:Tackle Dick Bumpas was a consensus All-American for Arkansas in 1970, with Chuck Dicus also earning first-team honors. Bill McClard averaged 7.3 points per game from the kicking position, the best in the nation for 1970. McClard converted on 50 of 51 extra points and 10 of 15 field...
would bring more success for Broyles, led by Razorback standouts Chuck Dicus
Chuck Dicus
Charles Wayne "Chuck" Dicus is a former American football wide receiver and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dicus played college football at the University of Arkansas as well as two seasons in the National Football League...
and Ben Cowins
Ben Cowins
Ben Cowins is a former college football running back who played for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 1975-1978. He was the University of Arkansas all-time leader in rushing attempts , rushing yards , rushing touchdowns and 100-yard rushing games prior to all his team records being...
. The 1970 edition of the Razorbacks would go 9-2, with the nine consecutive wins bookended by losses in the opener to #10 Stanford and the finale to #1 Texas. The 1971 Razorbacks went 8-3-1, including upset wins over #7 Cal and #10 Texas. They were invited to the Liberty Bowl
1971 Liberty Bowl
The 1971 Liberty Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Tennessee Volunteers. In the thirteenth Liberty Bowl, #9 Tennessee defeated #18 Arkansas 14-13 in front of 45,410 patrons.-#18 Arkansas:...
, but fell to #9 Tennessee, 13-14. The 1972-1974 seasons would be mediocre, as Arkansas struggled to defeat the Texas teams. The Hogs went 11-8-2 against schools in Texas, but failed to beat the University of Texas during the span. The highlight of the period was an upset of #5 Southern Cal in War Memorial Stadium.
Broyles would win his seventh and final Southwest Conference championship in 1975. The contest with Texas A&M was moved until the end of the year, as it was expected to decide the Southwest Conference championship. The Razorbacks did not disappoint, as Arkansas defeated #2 Texas A&M, 31-6, in War Memorial Stadium. The win forced the Aggies to share the conference championship with Texas and Arkansas. However, the tie-breaker went to Arkansas, thus Arkansas received the invitation to the Cotton Bowl Classic
1976 Cotton Bowl Classic
The 1976 Cotton Bowl Classic was a post-season college football bowl game between the co-Southwest Conference champion #18 Arkansas Razorbacks and the #12 Georgia Bulldogs. Arkansas defeated Georgia, 31-10 in front of 77,500 spectators.-Arkansas:...
. Arkansas would fall behind Georgia early on in that game, but came roaring back to beat the Bulldogs easily, 31-10. Arkansas finished ranked #7 in the AP and #6 in the UPI that season.
The Razorbacks would continue under Broyles with limited success in 1976 before Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
took over the head coaching position for 1977.
Holtz era (1977–1983)
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
to take his former position. Holtz served as head football coach from 1977 through the 1983 season.
Holtz led the Razorbacks through a 10-1 regular season, losing only to #2 Texas. The #6 Hogs were invited to play in the Orange Bowl
1978 Orange Bowl
The 1978 Orange Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 2, 1978, featuring the Arkansas Razorbacks against the heavily-favored Oklahoma Sooners....
against #2 Oklahoma. The Sooners had a chance to become national champions with a win over the shorthanded Razorbacks, who had suffered a season-long rash of injuries and player suspensions. Prior to Christmas, the University announced that star running back Ben Cowins
Ben Cowins
Ben Cowins is a former college football running back who played for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 1975-1978. He was the University of Arkansas all-time leader in rushing attempts , rushing yards , rushing touchdowns and 100-yard rushing games prior to all his team records being...
, leading receiver Donny Bobo, and back-up running back Michael Forrest would all be sent back to Fayetteville. Following the suspensions, numerous African-American players on the team threatened to boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
the game. The always-quotable Holtz said two days before the game, "I'm one step short of suicide".
The Razorbacks found an unlikely hero in Roland Sales, who rushed for 205 yards on 23 carries and two scores. Sales also led the Hogs in receiving in the contest, and quarterback Ron Calcagni
Ron Calcagni
Ron Calcagni is a former quarterback for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1975 to 1978. Calcagni was born in Youngstown, Ohio. An All-State in high school, Calcagni was initially recruited by Bo Rein to play for North Carolina State University...
outplayed flashy OU QB Thomas Lott. The Hogs ended the Sooners' hope with a 31–6 victory. This game is notable not only as one of the biggest upsets in Razorback football history, but also for the cast of characters. University of Arkansas alumnus Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...
coached the Sooners in the contest, and late in the game future Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
played quarterback for Holtz.
1978 brought a 9-2 regular season, losing back-to-back games at #8 Texas and at #11 Houston
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
. A 49-7 win over #16 Texas A&M did give the Hogs a Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
berth, but the Razorbacks and UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
would battle to a 10-10 tie.
In 1979, Holtz's Razorbacks won a share of the Southwest Conference (sharing with Houston). The 10-2 Hogs defeated nemesis #2 Texas in Little Rock, but lost an outright conference title when they lost to #6 Houston in Fayetteville. Earning a bid to the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
, the #6 Hogs were set to play #2 Alabama with a shot at the national championship. Instead, Alabama defeated the Razorbacks 24–9
1980 Sugar Bowl
The 1980 Sugar Bowl featured the second ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, and the sixth ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. Alabama defeated Arkansas, 24-9, winning their third national championship of the decade.-Arkansas:...
, winning their sixth claimed national title.
The Razorbacks would continue to succeed under Holtz, winning the 1980 Hall of Fame Classic following 1980 and defeating the hated #1 Texas Longhorns 42-11 in 1981. Despite winning another bowl game in 1982, a 6-5 season in 1983 would be the end of the Holtz era. At the time, athletic director Frank Broyles stated that Holtz had resigned and was not fired, but two decades later Broyles acknowledged that Holtz was indeed fired because his actions were negatively affecting the fan base.
Holtz left the program with a mark of 60-21-2. His teams reached six consecutive bowls (1977–1983), but only won one split conference championship. Holtz used a very conservative option offense.
Final days of the Southwest Conference, transition to the SEC
Ken Hatfield
Ken Hatfield is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Air Force Academy , the University of Arkansas , Clemson University , and Rice University , compiling a career college football record of 168–140–4.-Playing...
would replace Holtz in 1984. Hatfield played defensive back for AD Frank Brolyes on the 1964 National Championship team, but the two did not have a very friendly relationship. Despite a record of 55-17-1 and a SWC title, Hatfield would leave following 1989 when Broyles signed a five year extension with the University.
During this tumultuous period, Broyles engineered the move from the dying Southwest Conference to the flourishing Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The conference also added the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
for 1991. The SWC would continue until 1996, when it disbanded.
Arkansas next hired rookie head coach Jack Crowe
Jack Crowe
Jack Crowe is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, a position he has held since 2000. Crowe served as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas from 1990 until he resigned one game into the 1992 season after an upset...
, but he would be fired following a loss to The Citadel in the 1992 season opener. Danny Ford
Danny Ford
Danny Lee Ford is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Alabama from 1967 to 1969. He served as the head football coach at Clemson University in South Carolina from 1978 to 1989 and at the University of Arkansas from 1993 to 1997, compiling...
, who was replaced by Hatfield at Clemson in 1990, took over in 1993.
Houston Nutt (1998–2007)
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
was hired by the University of Arkansas to succeed Danny Ford
Danny Ford
Danny Lee Ford is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Alabama from 1967 to 1969. He served as the head football coach at Clemson University in South Carolina from 1978 to 1989 and at the University of Arkansas from 1993 to 1997, compiling...
.
In his first year, the Arkansas Razorbacks were 9-3 and had a share of the SEC Western division title. The Razorbacks received their first-ever invitation to the Citrus Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
where the Razorbacks lost to the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, ending the season ranked 16th. During this season, Nutt was selected as the Football News' National Coach of the Year.
Nutt resigned during a press conference at Arkansas on November 26, 2007, three days after the Razorbacks defeated the #1 LSU Tigers
2007 LSU Tigers football team
The 2007 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the college football season of 2007–2008, winning the Southeastern Conference championship and the national championship. The team's Head Coach was Les Miles who entered his third year at the helm of LSU Football...
50–48 in three overtimes. Over the course of his 10 seasons coaching the Arkansas Razorbacks, Nutt compiled a record of 75–48 and his coached teams went to bowls 8 out of the 10 seasons. His teams were first in the SEC West 3 times: in 1998 (shared with Mississippi State), 2002 (shared with LSU & Auburn), and 2006 (outright). The Hogs played in the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in 2002 and 2006.
Bobby Petrino (2008–present)
After Nutt's departure Bobby Petrino came to Arkansas from the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
to coach the college ranks again. The 2008 season was expected to be a transition year for the team and Petrino. Though eliminated from bowl contention, Petrino led the Razorbacks to a last-second victory over rival and defending national champions LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
to finish the season 5-7 with a conference mark of 2-6. His 2009 Razorbacks
2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2009 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Head coach...
went 8-5 and won the 2010 Liberty Bowl
2010 Liberty Bowl (January)
The 2010 Liberty Bowl was the fifty-first edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. The game started at 5:30 PM US EST on Saturday, January 2, 2010...
against East Carolina. The 2010 Arkansas Razorbacks improved on their 2009 record and won 6 in a row to end the year after earlier losses to Alabama and Auburn. Arkansas finished the season 10-2 overall and earned a BCS bowl birth. The Razorbacks lost the BCS Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans against the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 31 to 26. This marked the first time Arkansas and Ohio State ever met in either a regular season or post season game. This was also the first BCS bowl for Arkansas in the BCS era. Under Petrino's tutelage, quarterback Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett , nicknamed "Big Tex", is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League , taken in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks...
broke numerous school passing records in 2010 as well.
Current coaching staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Bobby Petrino Bobby Petrino Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season... |
Head Coach |
| Garrick McGee Garrick McGee Garrick McGee is a former American Football player and current coach. He serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team.-Early life:... |
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
| Willy Robinson Willy Robinson Willy Robinson is an American football coach. He currently serves as defensive coordinator under head coach Bobby Petrino at the University of Arkansas... |
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach |
| John L. Smith John L. Smith John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino... |
Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach |
| Tim Horton Tim Horton Myles Gilbert "Tim" Horton was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in 24 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He was also a businessman and a co-founder of Tim Hortons. He died in an... |
Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs Coach |
| Bobby Allen Bobby Allen Robert Paul Allen is an American professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:... |
Defensive Tackles Coach |
| Steve Caldwell | Defensive Ends Coach |
| Kris Cinkovich | Wide Receivers Coach |
| Reggie Johnson Reggie Johnson Reggie Dwayne Johnson is a southpaw American boxer who held the WBA middleweight title and IBF light heavyweight title during his career.-Professional career:... |
Inside Linebackers Coach |
| Chris Klenakis | Offensive Line Coach |
Coaching history
| Name | Seasons | Overall | Overall % | Conference | Conference % | Bowls | Bowls % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Petrino Bobby Petrino Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season... |
2008–present | 32–16 | 66.6% | 16–14 | 53.3% | 1–1–0 | 50% |
| Reggie Herring Reggie Herring -External links:*... † |
2007 | 0–1 | 0.0% | — | — | 0–1–0 | 0.0% |
| Houston Nutt Houston Nutt Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas... |
1998–2007 | 75–46 | 62.0% | 42–36–0 | 53.8% | 2–5–0 | 28.6% |
| Danny Ford Danny Ford Danny Lee Ford is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Alabama from 1967 to 1969. He served as the head football coach at Clemson University in South Carolina from 1978 to 1989 and at the University of Arkansas from 1993 to 1997, compiling... |
1993–1997 | 26–30–1 | 46.5% | 16–23–1 | 41.3% | 0–1–0 | 0.0% |
| Joe Kines Joe Kines -External links:... † |
1992 | 3–6–1 | 35.0% | 3–4–1 | 43.8% | — | — |
| Jack Crowe Jack Crowe Jack Crowe is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, a position he has held since 2000. Crowe served as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas from 1990 until he resigned one game into the 1992 season after an upset... |
1990–1992 | 9–15–0 | 37.5% | 6–10–0 | 37.5% | 0–1–0 | 0.0% |
| Ken Hatfield Ken Hatfield Ken Hatfield is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Air Force Academy , the University of Arkansas , Clemson University , and Rice University , compiling a career college football record of 168–140–4.-Playing... |
1984–1989 | 55–17–1 | 76.0% | 36–10–0 | 78.3% | 1–6–0 | 14.3% |
| Lou Holtz Lou Holtz Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States... |
1977–1983 | 60–21–2 | 67.0% | 37–18–1 | 73.5% | 3–2–1 | 58.3% |
| Frank Broyles Frank Broyles John Franklin Broyles is a former American football player and coach, athletics administrator, and broadcaster. He served as the head football coach the University of Missouri in 1957 and at the University of Arkansas from 1958 to 1976... |
1958–1976 | 144–58–5 | 70.8% | 91–36–5 | 70.8% | 4–6–0 | 40.0% |
| Jack Mitchell Jack Mitchell (coach) -External links:... |
1955–1957 | 17–12–1 | 58.3% | 8–9–1 | 47.2% | — | — |
| Bowden Wyatt Bowden Wyatt -External links:... |
1953–1954 | 11–10–0 | 52.4% | 7–5–0 | 58.3% | 0–1–0 | 0.0% |
| Otis Douglas Otis Douglas -External links:* at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum... |
1950–1952 | 9–21–0 | 30.0% | 4–14–0 | 22.2% | — | — |
| John Barnhill | 1946–1949 | 22–17–3 | 56.0% | 10–13–1 | 43.8% | 1–0–1 | 75.0% |
| Glen Rose Glen Rose -External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com... |
1944–1945 | 8–12–1 | 40.5% | 3–7–1 | 31.8% | — | — |
| John Tomlin | 1943 | 2–7–0 | 22.2% | 1–4–0 | 20.0% | — | — |
| George Cole George Cole (American football) -External links:... |
1942 | 3–7–0 | 30.0% | 0–6–0 | 0.0% | — | — |
| Fred Thomsen Fred Thomsen -External links:*... |
1929–1941 | 56–61–10 | 48.0% | 26–42–3 | 38.7% | 0–0–1 | 50.0% |
| Francis Schmidt Francis Schmidt Francis Albert Schmidt was an American football player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He served as the head football coach at the University of Tulsa , the University of Arkansas , Texas Christian University , Ohio State University , and the University of Idaho , compiling a... |
1922–1928 | 42–20–3 | 66.9% | 14–13–2 | 51.7% | — | — |
| George McLaren | 1920–21 | 8–5–3 | 59.4% | 4–1–1 | 75.0% | — | — |
| J. B. Craig J. B. Craig -References:... |
1919 | 3–4–0 | 42.9% | 1–2–0 | 33.3% | — | — |
| Norman Paine Norman C. Paine -External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com... |
1917–1918 | 8–3–1 | 70.8% | 0–2–1 | 16.7% | — | — |
| T. T. McConnell T. T. McConnell -External links:... |
1915–1916 | 8–6–1 | 56.7% | 1–3–0 | 25.0% | — | — |
| E. T. Pickering E. T. Pickering -External links:... |
1913–1914 | 11–7–0 | 61.1% | — | — | — | — |
| Hugo Bezdek Hugo Bezdek Hugo Francis Bezdek was a Czech-American sports figure who played American football and was a coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He was the head football coach at the University of Oregon , the University of Arkansas , Penn State University , and Delaware Valley College... |
1908–1912 | 29–13–1 | 68.6% | — | — | — | — |
| Frank Longman Frank Longman -External links:... |
1906–1907 | 5–8–3 | 40.6% | — | — | — | — |
| A. D. Brown A. D. Brown A. D. Brown was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas from 1904 to 1905, compiling a record of 6–11.-Head coaching record:-External links:... |
1904–1905 | 6–9–0 | 40.0% | — | — | — | — |
| D. A. McDaniel D. A. McDaniel -External links:... |
1903 | 3–4–0 | 42.9% | — | — | — | — |
| Charles Thomas Charles Thomas (coach) -External links:... |
1901–1902 | 9–8–0 | 52.9% | — | — | — | — |
| Colbert Searles Colbert Searles -External links:... |
1899–1900 | 5–2–2 | 66.7% | — | — | — | — |
| B. N. Wilson B. N. Wilson -External links:... |
1897–1898 | 4–1–1 | 75.0% | — | — | — | — |
| John Futrall John C. Futrall -External links:*... |
1894–1896 | 5–2–0 | 71.4% | — | — | — | — |
| † denotes Interim Head Coach. Source: | |||||||
Ole Miss Rebels
The Razorbacks first played the Ole Miss RebelsOle Miss Rebels
University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school...
in 1908. Arkansas and Mississippi played many times sporadically in the following years. In addition to several single years of playing each other, the two teams played each other from 1940–47 and 1952-62 on an annual basis. The Razorbacks and Rebels also met twice in the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
played in New Orleans, in 1963 and 1970. Since 1981, the two teams have played each other annually in football. (since 1992 as conference and Division rivals) In 2001, Arkansas and Ole Miss had an NCAA record seven-overtime game in Oxford, MS; The amount of overtimes has since been tied, but has not yet been beaten. (Arkansas ended up winning with a final score of 58-56) The recent Houston Nutt controversies and departure to Ole Miss has added to and heightened the long standing rivalry between the schools. Ole Miss is also the closest SEC school to Arkansas in terms of distance, and Arkansas has played Ole Miss more total times than any other SEC opponent.
| Games played | First meeting | Last meeting | ARK win | ARK loss | Ties | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | October 10, 1908 (won 33–0) | October 22, 2011 (won 29–24) | 32 | 25 | 1 | 56.1% |
LSU Tigers
Since joining the Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
in 1992, the Razorbacks have developed an intense rivalry with the LSU Tigers
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers are the athletic teams of Louisiana State University. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Southeastern Conference. It fields teams in 14 varsity sports . Its official team nickname is the Fighting Tigers and the school mascot is Mike the Tiger...
. The game is played annually the day after Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
and is televised on CBS
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
. The winner of the game has taken home the "Golden Boot
Golden Boot (LSU-Arkansas)
The Arkansas–LSU football rivalry, also known as The Battle for the Golden Boot, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the LSU Tigers football team of Louisiana State University. The first game...
", which is a 24-karat gold trophy in the shape of the two states, since its creation in 1996.
Recently, the series has come to represent an important game in the SEC Western Division, with either Arkansas or LSU representing the Western Division in the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
on several occasions. In 2002, the rivalry gained momentum as the game winner would represent the Western Division of the SEC in the SEC Championship Game. The game (called "Miracle on Markham") was won by Arkansas on a last second touchdown pass by Matt Jones
Matt Jones (American football)
Matthew Jones is a former American football wide receiver . He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and retired officially in November 2010. He played college football at Arkansas....
. In 2006, the Tigers
2006 LSU Tigers football team
The 2006 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2006–2007. The team's coach was former Oklahoma State coach Les Miles. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
snapped the SEC West champion Razorbacks'
2006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team completed the season with a 10–4 record. The Razorbacks had a regular season SEC record of 7–1.-Schedule:-USC:...
10-game winning streak when they were beaten by LSU in Little Rock
War Memorial Stadium (Arkansas)
War Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The stadium is primarily used for American football and is the home stadium for the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes, Catholic High School Rockets, and the secondary home stadium for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks...
, 26–31. In 2007, Arkansas
2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007–2008 football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W...
stunned top-ranked LSU in triple overtime, 50–48, giving them their first win in Baton Rouge since 1993, and their first victory over a top-ranked team since beating Texas in 1982, winning back the Golden Boot trophy
Golden Boot (LSU-Arkansas)
The Arkansas–LSU football rivalry, also known as The Battle for the Golden Boot, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the LSU Tigers football team of Louisiana State University. The first game...
(after 4 consecutive seasons in the hands of LSU) in the process. In 2008, the Razorbacks defended the trophy, winning 31-30 on a last minute touchdown drive. LSU currently leads the series 34–20–2.
| Games played | First meeting | Last meeting | ARK win | ARK loss | Ties | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | December 5, 1901 (lost 0–15) | November 25, 2011 (lost 17–41) | 20 | 35 | 2 | 37% |
Texas Longhorns
1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game
The 1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game, dubbed The Big Shootout and sometimes referred to as the "Game of The Century", was a legendary college football game on December 6, 1969 in which the top-ranked Texas Longhorns visited the second-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium in...
(also known as "The Big Shootout") which eventually led to the Longhorns' 1969 national championship. The Longhorns lead the series 56–21–0.
| Games played | First meeting | Last meeting | ARK win | ARK loss | Ties | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | November 29, 1894 (lost 0–54) | September 27, 2008 (lost 10–52) | 21 | 56 | 0 | 27.6% |
Texas A&M Aggies
The Razorbacks first played the Texas A&M AggiesTexas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
in 1903. From 1934–1991, the two had played annually as Southwest Conference members. The series, however, ceased in 1991, when Arkansas left the SWC to join the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. Arkansas leads all-time 41–24–3. On March 10, 2008, officials from both schools announced the revival of the series, which continued on October 3, 2009. The game was played in Cowboys Stadium, and was won by Arkansas. 47-19. The initial agreement between the two schools allows the game to be played for at least 10 years, followed by 5 consecutive, 4-year rollover options, allowing the game to be played for a total of 30 consecutive seasons.
| Games played | First meeting | Last meeting | ARK win | ARK loss | Ties | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | October 31, 1903 (lost 0–6) | October 1, 2011 (Won 42–38) | 41 | 24 | 3 | 62.5% |
Uniforms
The Razorbacks have always worn cardinal red jerseys. The team wore red helmets with players' numbers on the side through 1963, and in 1964 the first helmets with an early version of the razorback logo appeared. Throughout the team's history, Arkansas has typically worn red jerseys with white pants at home and white jerseys with white pants on the road. However, red pants were introduced on an occasional basis during the Lou HoltzLou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
era, and have been an alternate off and on for several years. From 1998 to 2002, and then again in 2004, red pants were the standard on the road while white pants were worn as an alternate. Wearing red pants at home, which some fans consider a curse, happened so infrequently that many forgot it was possible. The Razorbacks wore all red in 2000, but did not wear them again until 2008 in the Cotton Bowl Classic. However, when coach Bobby Petrino took the rein
Rein
Reins are items of horse tack, used to direct a horse or other animal used for riding or driving. Reins can be made of leather, nylon, metal, or other materials, and attach to a bridle via either its bit or its noseband.-Use for riding:...
s, he developed an entirely different uniform, and the Hogs came out for the season opener in all red. This marked the first time for all red to be worn in consecutive games and also the first time that red pants were worn with a white stripe. It is unknown how many alternate jerseys may have been designed.
National championships
|
|||||
Conference championships
Arkansas has won 13 Southwest Conference championships but has yet to win a conference championship in the Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
.
Conference affiliations
- 1894-1914: IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1915-1991: Southwest Conference
- 1992–present: Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Year Conference Overall Record Conference Record 1936 SWC 7-3 5-1 1946 SWC 6-3-2 5-1 1954 SWC 8-3 5-1 1959 SWC 9-2 5-1 1960 SWC 8-3 6-1 1961 SWC 8-3 5-1 1964 SWC 11-0 7-0 1965 SWC 10-1 7-0 1968 SWC 10-1 6-1 1975 SWC 10-2 6-1 1979 SWC 10-2 7-1 1988 SWC 10-2 7-0 1989 SWC 10-2 7-1 Total Conference Championships 13
Divisional championships
Arkansas has made 3 appearances in the SEC Championship GameSEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
as winner of the SEC Western Division but are 0-3 in those appearances. Arkansas was also the SEC Western Division co-champions in 1998 with Mississippi State but did not represent the SEC Western Division in the SEC Championship Game. In 2002 Alabama had the best conference record in the west with a 6-2 mark, but had been prohibited by the NCAA from participating in post season activity. Arkansas played in the SEC Championship game via being the winner of a three-way tie with Auburn and LSU, both of whom Arkansas had beaten that season.
| Year | Division Championship | Conference Game Result | Opponent | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | SEC Western | L | Florida | 3 | 34 |
| 1998* | SEC Western | Did not represent the SEC Western Division in the SEC Championship Game | |||
| 2002* | SEC Western | L | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football under Mark Richt Mark Richt is the 25th head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team. His first year at Georgia was 2001. So far, Mark Richt has accumulated a winning percentage of slightly less than .750 as head coach.-2001 season:... |
3 | 30 |
| 2006 | SEC Western | L | Florida 2006 Florida Gators football team The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season... |
28 | 38 |
| Totals | 4 | 0-3 | - | 34 | 102 |
| * denotes Co-Champions | |||||
Awards and honors
Player awards
- John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
- D.J. Williams - 2010
- Doak Walker AwardDoak Walker AwardThe Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
- Doak Walker Award
- Darren McFaddenDarren McFaddenDarren McFadden is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Arkansas from 2005 to 2007...
- 2006, 2007
- Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
- Darren McFaddenDarren McFaddenDarren McFadden is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Arkansas from 2005 to 2007...
- 2007
- Dave Rimington TrophyDave Rimington TrophyThe Dave Rimington Trophy is awarded to the player considered to be the best center in college football. Dave Rimington was a center who played at the University of Nebraska from 1979-1982....
- Jonathan LuigsJonathan Luigs-Cincinnati Bengals:Luigs was selected by the Bengals in the fourth round, 106th overall. He signed a four-year, $2.26 million deal with a $509,000 signing bonus. A backup to Kyle Cook in the 2009 NFL season, Luigs played in eight games for the Bengals before being waived on August 17, 2010, after...
- 2007
- Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
- William "Bud" BrooksBud BrooksWilliam "Bud" Brooks is a former college American football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the winner of the 1954 Outland Trophy as the year's best interior lineman....
- 1954 - Loyd PhillipsLoyd PhillipsLoyd Phillips is a former professional football player and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the 1966 Outland Trophy as the country's most outstanding interior lineman while playing at the University of Arkansas.As a defensive tackle at Arkansas, Phillips was...
- 1966
Coaching awards
- Walter Camp Coach of the YearWalter Camp Coach of the YearThe Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football head coach adjudged by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football...
- Lou HoltzLou HoltzLouis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
- 1977
- Eddie Robinson Coach of the YearEddie Robinson Coach of the YearThe Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
- Lou HoltzLou HoltzLouis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
- 1977
- Football News Division I-A National Coach of the Year
- Houston NuttHouston NuttHouston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
- 1998
- SEC Coach of the Year
- Houston NuttHouston NuttHouston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
- 2001 - Houston NuttHouston NuttHouston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
- 2006
All-Americans
American Football Coaches Association
The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
(AFCA), Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
(FWAA), Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation
Walter Camp Football Foundation
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
(WCFF). A consensus All-American is determined using a point system; three points if the player was selected for the first team, two points for the second team, and one point for the third team. Arkansas has had 45 All-Americans (20 consensus) in its history.
| Name | Position | Years at Arkansas | AFCA American Football Coaches Association The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of... | AP Associated Press The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists... | FWAA Football Writers Association of America The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA... | TSN | WCFF Walter Camp Football Foundation The Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Alworth Lance Alworth Lance Dwight Alworth is a former American collegiate and Professional Football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame... |
B | 1959–1961 | 1961 | ||||
| Shawn Andrews Shawn Andrews -Philadelphia Eagles:Andrews was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles as the 16th overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, after trading up with the San Francisco 49ers. The day after selecting Andrews, the Eagles traded John Welbourn to the Kansas City Chiefs, officially making Andrews the team's starting... * |
OT | 2001–2003 | 2002; 2003 | 2003 | 2002; 2003 | 2002; 2003 | 2003 |
| Jim Barnes* | OG | 1966–1968 | 1968 | ||||
| Jim Benton Jim Benton (football player) James Warren Benton was a record setting Arkansas, Southwest Conference, NCAA and National Football League pass receiver who was selected for the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team... |
E | 1935–1937 | 1937 | ||||
| Martine Bercher | S | 1962–1966 | 1966 | ||||
| Rodney Brand* | C | 1969 | 1969 | 1969 | |||
| Bud Brooks Bud Brooks William "Bud" Brooks is a former college American football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the winner of the 1954 Outland Trophy as the year's best interior lineman.... * |
OG/DT | 1954 | 1954 | 1954 | 1954 | ||
| Dick Bumpas* | DT | 1968–1970 | 1970 | ||||
| Brandon Burlsworth Brandon burlsworth Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1996-1998... |
OG | 1995–1998 | 1998 | ||||
| Ronnie Caveness Ronnie Caveness Ronald Glen Caveness is a former American football linebacker for the American Football League's Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs from 1965 to 1968.... |
LB | 1964 | 1964 | 1964 | 1964 | ||
| Tony Cherico | NG | 1984–1987 | 1987 | ||||
| Bobby Crockett | E | 1965 | |||||
| Chuck Dicus Chuck Dicus Charles Wayne "Chuck" Dicus is a former American football wide receiver and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dicus played college football at the University of Arkansas as well as two seasons in the National Football League... * |
WR | 1968–1970 | 1969; 1970 | 1970 | 1970 | ||
| Ron Faurot | DE | 1980–1983 | |||||
| Robert Felton | OG | 2003–2007 | 2007 | ||||
| Ken Hamlin Ken Hamlin Ken Hamlin an American football safety, who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas.... |
FS | 1999–2002 | |||||
| Dan Hampton Dan Hampton Daniel Oliver Hampton also known as "Danimal" is a retired Hall of Fame American football defensive tackle who played twelve seasons for the Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990 in the National Football League. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002... |
DT | 1975–1978 | 1978 | ||||
| Leotis Harris Leotis Harris Leotis Harris is a former American football offensive guard in the NFL. He played his entire six year career for the Green Bay Packers. He attended the University of Arkansas. Harris is also a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks All-Century Team.... * |
OG | 1974–1977 | 1977 | 1977 | 1977 | ||
| Wayne Harris Wayne Harris Carroll Wayne Harris is a retired American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League from 1961 through 1972.-High school and college:... |
LB | 1958–1960 | 1960 | ||||
| Glen Ray Hines Glen Ray Hines Glen Ray Hines is a former American college and professional football player.Hines played collegiately for the University of Arkansas and was drafted by the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals and the American Football League's Houston Oilers in 1965... * |
T | 1965 | 1965 | 1965 | 1965 | ||
| Greg Horne Greg Horne Gregory Lee Horne is a former professional American football punter in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Arkansas.... |
P | 1983–1986 | 1986 | ||||
| Bruce James | DE | 1968–1970 | 1970 | ||||
| Felix Jones Felix Jones Felix Jones is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football and majoring in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft... |
TB/KR | 2005–2007 | 2007 | 2007 | |||
| Kenoy Kennedy Kenoy Kennedy Kenoy Kennedy is a professional American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft... |
FS | 1996–1999 | 1999 | ||||
| Greg Kolenda* | OT | 1976–1979 | 1979 | 1979 | 1979 | 1979 | |
| Steve Korte Steve Korte Steve Korte is a former offensive guard and center in the NFL. He played his entire career for the New Orleans Saints from 1983 to 1990. Scored one touchdown from a fumble recovery.... * |
OG | 1982 | 1982 | 1982 | 1982 | ||
| Bruce Lahay | K/P | 1981 | |||||
| Steve Little* | K/P | 1974–1977 | 1976 | 1977 | 1977 | 1977 | |
| Anthony Lucas | SE | 1996–1999 | 1999 | ||||
| Jonathan Luigs Jonathan Luigs -Cincinnati Bengals:Luigs was selected by the Bengals in the fourth round, 106th overall. He signed a four-year, $2.26 million deal with a $509,000 signing bonus. A backup to Kyle Cook in the 2009 NFL season, Luigs played in eight games for the Bengals before being waived on August 17, 2010, after... * |
C | 2004–2008 | 2006; 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | |
| Jim Mabry Jim Mabry Jim Mabry is an American football player. He played on both offensive line and defensive line at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1981-1985. He then attended the University of Arkansas and was an offensive lineman from 1985-1989... * |
OT | 1986–1989 | 1989 | 1989 | 1989 | ||
| Wayne Martin* | DT | 1985–1988 | 1988 | 1988 | 1988 | ||
| Bill McClard | K | 1969–1971 | 1970 | 1971 | 1971 | ||
| Darren McFadden Darren McFadden Darren McFadden is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Arkansas from 2005 to 2007... * |
RB | 2005–2007 | 2006; 2007 | 2006; 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 |
| Billy Moore | QB | 1962 | |||||
| Jim Mooty Jim Mooty James W. Mooty is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected 1st team All-American by the Associated Press in 1959 while playing college football for the University of Arkansas.... |
B | 1959 | |||||
| Stephen Parker Stephen Parker (American football) Stephen Parker is an American football offensive guard who is a free agent in the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played collegiately at Arkansas, where he garnered "All American" honors in 2006 from The Sporting News.... |
OG | 2003–2006 | 2006 | ||||
| Jermaine Petty* | LB | 1998–2001 | 2001 | ||||
| Loyd Phillips Loyd Phillips Loyd Phillips is a former professional football player and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the 1966 Outland Trophy as the country's most outstanding interior lineman while playing at the University of Arkansas.As a defensive tackle at Arkansas, Phillips was... * |
T | 1965; 1966 | 1965; 1966 | 1966 | 1966 | 1965: 1966 | |
| Cliff Powell | LB | 1967–1969 | 1969 | ||||
| Wear Schoonover Wear Schoonover Wear Schoonover was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He was the first Arkansas Razorback football player to be on the All-american team. He has the Pocahontas Redskins high-school football field and basketball court named after him.... |
E | 1927–1929 | 1929 | ||||
| Clyde Scott Clyde Scott Clyde Scott is a retired American athlete who competed professionally in the National Football League and earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles.... * |
TB | 1944–1948 | 1948 | 1948 | |||
| Billy Ray Smith, Jr.* | DE | 1979–1982 | 1981; 1982 | 1981; 1982 | 1981; 1982 | 1981; 1982 | 1981; 1982 |
| Kendall Trainor Kendall Trainor Kendall Trainor from Fredonia, Kansas was an All American placekicker for the University of Arkansas in 1988.He led the nation in field goals per game as a senior in 1988 under head coach Ken Hatfield... * |
K | 1985–1988 | 1988 | 1988 | 1988 | 1988 | |
| Tony Ugoh Tony Ugoh Anthony Ike "Tony" Ugoh, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas.... |
OG | 2002–2006 | 2006 | ||||
| Jimmy Walker | DT | 1975–1978 | 1978 | ||||
| * denotes Consensus All-Americans. Source: | |||||||
College Football Hall of Fame
| Year Inducted | Name | Position | Years at Arkansas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Lou Holtz Lou Holtz Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States... |
Coach | 1977–1983 | |
| 2004 | Wayne Harris Wayne Harris Carroll Wayne Harris is a retired American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League from 1961 through 1972.-High school and college:... |
Linebacker | 1958–1960 | |
| 2000 | Billy Ray Smith, Jr. | Defensive End | 1979–1982 | |
| 1999 | Chuck Dicus Chuck Dicus Charles Wayne "Chuck" Dicus is a former American football wide receiver and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dicus played college football at the University of Arkansas as well as two seasons in the National Football League... |
Wide Receiver | 1968–1970 | |
| 1997 | Bowden Wyatt Bowden Wyatt -External links:... |
Coach | 1953–1954 | |
| 1992 | Loyd Phillips Loyd Phillips Loyd Phillips is a former professional football player and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the 1966 Outland Trophy as the country's most outstanding interior lineman while playing at the University of Arkansas.As a defensive tackle at Arkansas, Phillips was... |
Tackle | 1964–1966 | |
| 1984 | Lance Alworth Lance Alworth Lance Dwight Alworth is a former American collegiate and Professional Football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame... |
Back | 1959–1961 | |
| 1983 | Frank Broyles Frank Broyles John Franklin Broyles is a former American football player and coach, athletics administrator, and broadcaster. He served as the head football coach the University of Missouri in 1957 and at the University of Arkansas from 1958 to 1976... |
Coach | 1958–1976 | |
| 1971 | Francis Schmidt Francis Schmidt Francis Albert Schmidt was an American football player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He served as the head football coach at the University of Tulsa , the University of Arkansas , Texas Christian University , Ohio State University , and the University of Idaho , compiling a... |
Coach | 1922–1928 | |
| 1971 | Clyde Scott Clyde Scott Clyde Scott is a retired American athlete who competed professionally in the National Football League and earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles.... |
Tailback | 1944–1948 | |
| 1967 | Wear Schoonover Wear Schoonover Wear Schoonover was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He was the first Arkansas Razorback football player to be on the All-american team. He has the Pocahontas Redskins high-school football field and basketball court named after him.... |
End | 1927–1929 | |
| 1954 | Hugo Bezdek Hugo Bezdek Hugo Francis Bezdek was a Czech-American sports figure who played American football and was a coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He was the head football coach at the University of Oregon , the University of Arkansas , Penn State University , and Delaware Valley College... |
Coach | 1908–1912 |
All-Century Team
(Selected by fan ballot prior to the 1994 season as part of the UA football centennial celebration)Offense
Lineman
Bud Brooks
Bud Brooks
William "Bud" Brooks is a former college American football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the winner of the 1954 Outland Trophy as the year's best interior lineman....
Fred Childress
Fred Childress
Fred Childress , born September 17, 1966 is a former all-star offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.-College:...
Leotis Harris
Leotis Harris
Leotis Harris is a former American football offensive guard in the NFL. He played his entire six year career for the Green Bay Packers. He attended the University of Arkansas. Harris is also a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks All-Century Team....
Glen Ray Hines
Glen Ray Hines
Glen Ray Hines is a former American college and professional football player.Hines played collegiately for the University of Arkansas and was drafted by the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals and the American Football League's Houston Oilers in 1965...
Steve Korte
Steve Korte
Steve Korte is a former offensive guard and center in the NFL. He played his entire career for the New Orleans Saints from 1983 to 1990. Scored one touchdown from a fumble recovery....
R.C. Thielemann
Receivers
Jim Benton
Jim Benton (football player)
James Warren Benton was a record setting Arkansas, Southwest Conference, NCAA and National Football League pass receiver who was selected for the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team...
Bobby Crockett
Chuck Dicus
Chuck Dicus
Charles Wayne "Chuck" Dicus is a former American football wide receiver and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dicus played college football at the University of Arkansas as well as two seasons in the National Football League...
Wear Schoonover
Wear Schoonover
Wear Schoonover was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He was the first Arkansas Razorback football player to be on the All-american team. He has the Pocahontas Redskins high-school football field and basketball court named after him....
Running Backs
Lance Alworth
Lance Alworth
Lance Dwight Alworth is a former American collegiate and Professional Football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
Leon Campbell
Leon Campbell (American football)
Leon L. Campbell was an American football fullback who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, the Chicago Bears, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Campbell played college football at the University of Arkansas before being a 2nd round selection in the 1950 NFL...
Barry Foster
Jim Mooty
Jim Mooty
James W. Mooty is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected 1st team All-American by the Associated Press in 1959 while playing college football for the University of Arkansas....
Clyde Scott
Clyde Scott
Clyde Scott is a retired American athlete who competed professionally in the National Football League and earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles....
Quarterbacks
Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson
Joseph Carlton Ferguson, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the NFL. Ferguson played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he still holds the school's single game record for most completions and in that same season was named the Southwest Conference's Offensive...
Quinn Grovey
Quinn Grovey
Quinn Grovey is a former American football quarterback for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1987 to 1990.Grovey led the team to Southwest Conference championships in 1988 and 1989. He has been named to the Arkansas All-Century team and Alltel Southeastern Conference Football Legends...
Lamar McHan
Lamar McHan
Clarence Lamar McHan was a professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. McHan played football collegiately at the University of Arkansas. He was ninth in the 1953 Heisman Trophy balloting.McHan played for the Green Bay Packers from 1959-1960...
Bill Montgomery
Bill Montgomery
William Acker "Bill" Montgomery is a former American football player for The University of Arkansas and a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall Of Fame, The University of Arkansas All-Century Team, The University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, the SEC Football Legends, among others...
Defense
Lineman
Dan Hampton
Dan Hampton
Daniel Oliver Hampton also known as "Danimal" is a retired Hall of Fame American football defensive tackle who played twelve seasons for the Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990 in the National Football League. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002...
Dave Hanner
Dave Hanner
Dave "Hawg" Hanner – Joel David Hanner was an American football player, coach and scout who spent his entire 42 year career with the Green Bay Packers....
Wayne Martin
Loyd Phillips
Loyd Phillips
Loyd Phillips is a former professional football player and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the 1966 Outland Trophy as the country's most outstanding interior lineman while playing at the University of Arkansas.As a defensive tackle at Arkansas, Phillips was...
Billy Ray Smith, Sr.
Billy Ray Smith Sr.
Billy Ray Smith, Sr. was a National Football League defensive lineman .-NFL career:Billy Ray Smith, Sr. began his NFL career in 1957, as the third round draft pick for the Los Angeles Rams. He was traded to the Steelers in 1958 and played for Pittsburgh until 1960...
Billy Ray Smith, Jr.
Fred Williams
Fred Williams (football player)
Fred Williams was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins. He went to four Pro Bowls during his 14-year career. Williams played college football at the University of Arkansas and was drafted in the fifth round of the...
Linebackers
Ronnie Caveness
Ronnie Caveness
Ronald Glen Caveness is a former American football linebacker for the American Football League's Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs from 1965 to 1968....
Wayne Harris
Wayne Harris
Carroll Wayne Harris is a retired American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League from 1961 through 1972.-High school and college:...
Cliff Powell
Dennis Winston
Dennis Winston
Dennis Edward Winston is a former professional American football linebacker in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at the University of Arkansas....
Secondary
Steve Atwater
Steve Atwater
Stephen Dennis "Smiling Assassin" Atwater is a former American football player who spent most of his career playing free safety for the Denver Broncos of the NFL. Atwater and Dennis Smith made up a Broncos secondary that was known for their ferocious hits on opposing players...
Alton Baldwin
Al Baldwin
Alton Baldwin was a professional American football end/defensive back who played in the All-America Football Conference, the National Football League and the Canadian Football League....
Martine Bercher
Martine Bercher
Martine Bercher was an American football defensive back for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1962-1966...
Ken Hatfield
Ken Hatfield
Ken Hatfield is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Air Force Academy , the University of Arkansas , Clemson University , and Rice University , compiling a career college football record of 168–140–4.-Playing...
Billy Moore
Kickers
Steve Cox
Steve Cox (football player)
Stephen Everett Cox is a former American football punter and placekicker. Cox was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and played for them for four seasons. Cox played four more seasons for the Washington Redskins...
Steve Little
Pat Summerall
Pat Summerall
George Allen "Pat" Summerall is a former American football player and television sportscaster, having worked at CBS, Fox, and ESPN.Summerall is best known for his work with John Madden on NFL telecasts for CBS and Fox.-High school:...
Facilities
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (formerly Razorback Stadium) is the on-campus and primary home stadium for the Razorbacks located in Fayetteville, ArkansasFayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. The Razorbacks began playing football at Razorback Stadium in 1938 where they beat Oklahoma A&M
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater is a land-grant, sun-grant, coeducational public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. OSU was founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act...
27–7. The stadium was dedicated to Donald W. Reynolds
Donald W. Reynolds
Donald W. Reynolds was an American businessman and philanthropist. During his lifetime, he was best known for his involvement in the Donrey Media Group.-Biography:...
for the $20 million donation from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to help finance the major expansion in 2001 which raised the seating capacity from 51,000 to 76,000. The playing field was dedicated to former head coach and athletic director Frank Broyles
Frank Broyles
John Franklin Broyles is a former American football player and coach, athletics administrator, and broadcaster. He served as the head football coach the University of Missouri in 1957 and at the University of Arkansas from 1958 to 1976...
in 2007 and is now called the Frank Broyles Field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
War Memorial Stadium
War Memorial Stadium is the secondary home stadium for the Razorbacks. War Memorial Stadium is located in Little Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
with a seating capacity of 53,727. War Memorial Stadium usually host two to three Razorbacks' football games a season, including the Battle for the Golden Boot
Golden Boot (LSU-Arkansas)
The Arkansas–LSU football rivalry, also known as The Battle for the Golden Boot, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the LSU Tigers football team of Louisiana State University. The first game...
when the Razorbacks host the game against LSU. They also play Mississippi State in Little Rock.
Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion
The Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion was built in 1998 and is the indoor practice facility for the Arkansas Razorbacks.Pro Football Hall of Fame
| Year Inducted | Name | Position | Years at Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Dan Hampton Dan Hampton Daniel Oliver Hampton also known as "Danimal" is a retired Hall of Fame American football defensive tackle who played twelve seasons for the Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990 in the National Football League. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002... |
Defensive Line | 1975–1978 |
| 1978 | Lance Alworth Lance Alworth Lance Dwight Alworth is a former American collegiate and Professional Football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame... |
Back | 1959–1961 |