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Razorbacks Recapped: 130 years of Hog football
By Reagan Netherland,
8 hours ago
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The University of Arkansas football program turns 130 this year, and there are many fond (and not so fond) memories for Hogs fans to look back on.
Arkansas won 13 conference championships , all in the Southwest Conference.
Their titles came in the following seasons: 1936, 1946, 1954, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1975, 1979, 1988 and 1989.
Arkansas has won four SEC Western Division championships and has appeared in the SEC Championship Game three times but has not won any of those games:
1995 : vs. Florida – Lost 3–34
2002 : vs. Georgia – Lost 3–30
2006 : vs. Florida – Lost 28–38
There have been 33 total coaches of the University of Arkansas’s football program since 1894.
Origins of Razorback Football (1894–1939)
1894: Formation of the team
Team photo of the 1899 Arkansas Razorbacks (then Cardinals) football team. (Public Domain)
In 1894, the University of Arkansas fielded its first football team, led by Latin professor John C. Futrall, according to “ The Razorbacks: A Story of Arkansas Football ” by Orville Henry and Jim Bailey.
The team played its first game against Fort Smith High School, losing 54-0. Futrall organized the team without previous football experience.
The University of Arkansas became a charter member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) in 1915, competing against schools such as Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor, according to The Razorbacks: A Story of Arkansas Football .
Arkansas did not achieve a winning conference record until 1920 and won their first conference championship in 1936. The team had to forfeit the 1933 SWC Championship due to an ineligible player, Ulysses “Heine” Schleuter, playing despite having no remaining eligibility.
During this time, Arkansas developed a rivalry with Ole Miss, with the teams playing each other intermittently despite Ole Miss not being in the SWC. This rivalry solidified into a yearly series from 1952 to 1961.
1936: First Southwest Conference title
In 1936, under coach Fred Thomsen, Arkansas won its first Southwest Conference title.
In 1938 , Arkansas replaced its 300-seat stadium, The Hill, with Bailey Stadium, later renamed Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, which still serves as the team’s home today.
The program given to attendees of the 1947 Cotton Bowl football game between the University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University. (Public Domain)
1947 Cotton Bowl: The ‘Ice Bowl’
The Razorbacks appeared in the 1947 Cotton Bowl, facing LSU in a game that ended in a 0-0 tie . Played in freezing conditions, this game earned the nickname “Ice Bowl.” LSU reached inside the Arkansas 20-yard line five times but failed to score.
Arkansas managed only one first down and 54 yards of offense. In the fourth quarter, the Hogs stopped LSU at the 4-yard line, and a bad snap thwarted a game-winning field goal attempt.
1954: Southwest Conference title and “25 Little Pigs”
In 1954, under Coach Bowden Wyatt, Arkansas won the SWC title. The team’s success was notable as it relied on a roster of just 25 players, earning the nickname “25 Little Pigs.”
Despite the AP and UPI awarding the national title to Alabama before the bowl games, the Football Writers Association of America named Arkansas the national champion after Alabama’s bowl game loss.
1965–1966: Consecutive SWC titles
Arkansas won back-to-back SWC titles in 1965 and 1966.
Bill Montgomery leading the Hogs against previously unbeaten Georgia in the 1969 Sugar Bowl. (Public Domain)
During this time, the team was known for its strong defense and balanced offensive attack, consistently ranking among the nation’s top programs, according to The Razorbacks: A Story of Arkansas Football .
1969: The Big Shootout
On December 6, 1969, Arkansas played Texas in a game that determined the national champion. Texas, ranked No. 1, came back from a 14-0 deficit to defeat Arkansas 15-14 in Fayetteville.
Frank Broyles retired as head coach in 1976 after 19 successful seasons, boasting a record of 144-58-5. His tenure included seven SWC championships, a national title and ten bowl game appearances.
1977: Lou Holtz Appointed Head Coach Lou Holtz was hired as head coach in 1977, succeeding Frank Broyles. In his first season, he led the Razorbacks to a 10-1 record, according to Sports Reference .
American football player Roland Sales, of Arkansas University, is hugged by his dad Fred and mum Mattie after leading his team to victory in the Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, January 3rd 1978. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
The team, ranked No. 6, lost only to No. 2 Texas during the regular season and was invited to the Orange Bowl against No. 2 Oklahoma. Despite significant player suspensions and injuries, the Razorbacks pulled off a 31-6 victory over the Sooners.
Arkansas finished the season 11-1 and was selected as a co-national champion by the Rothman Foundation.
1979 Southwest Conference Title In 1979, Holtz’s Razorbacks won a share of the Southwest Conference title, defeating No. 2 Texas but losing the title to No. 6 Houston. The team earned a Sugar Bowl bid but lost to No. 2 Alabama.
1980-1981 Success Holtz led the Razorbacks to a Hall of Fame Classic win in 1980 and a victory over No. 1 Texas in 1981.
1983: Holtz’s Resignation Lou Holtz resigned as head coach after the 1983 season, following a 6-5 campaign. His tenure included a 60-21-2 record, seven bowl appearances, and a revitalization of the program.
2 Jan 1989: Quinn Grovey of the Arkansas Razorbacks throws the ball during a game against the California at Los Angeles Bruins at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. California at Los Angeles won the game 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Patronite /Allsport
Ken Hatfield, who replaced Lou Holtz in 1984, was a standout defensive back on Frank Broyles’ 1964 national championship team. At Arkansas, Hatfield amassed a record of 55–17–1, securing back-to-back Southwest Conference titles in 1988 and 1989, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas .
He achieved a 76% win rate, the highest in Razorback history, and led his teams to ten-win seasons in 1985, 1988, and 1989, with nine-win seasons in 1986 and 1987.
However, he struggled in bowl games, winning only one of six. His conservative play-calling, especially in high-stakes games, and a losing record against Texas (2–4) drew criticism.
Hatfield’s strained relationship with Broyles and rumors about his job security led him to resign abruptly after the 1990 Cotton Bowl Classic.
1989: Hatfield’s Departure
Following a successful but strained relationship with university administrators, Hatfield resigned after the 1989 season to take the head coaching job at Clemson.
Frank Broyles appointed Jack Crowe as head coach in 1990. Crowe, who had previously faced challenges at Livingston University, was selected partially due to the time crunch ahead of National Signing Day.
The Razorbacks posted a 3–8 record, their first losing season since 1967, plagued by injuries and disciplinary issues.
1991–1992: Upset loss to The Citadel and dismissal
In 1991, Arkansas continued to struggle under Crowe’s leadership. One of the low points came with a shocking upset loss to The Citadel.
Houston Nutt was appointed head coach on December 10, 1997. He wasted no time making an impact, leading the Razorbacks to a 9–3 record and a share of the SEC Western Division title in 1998.
This impressive performance earned him National Coach of the Year honors. The following season in 1999, Nutt’s Razorbacks finished 9–3 and delivered a historic victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic, holding the Longhorns to negative rushing yards.
1 Jan 2002: Quarterback Nate Hybl #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The Sooners won 10-3. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
2000–2003: Memorable moments and consistency
Nutt’s tenure saw several memorable moments, including the record-setting 58–56 seven-overtime victory over Ole Miss in 2001.
That game remains the longest in NCAA history. Arkansas also shared the SEC Western Division title in 2002, though they fell short in the SEC Championship Game and lost to Minnesota in the Music City Bowl.
Despite some mid-season slumps, the team rallied with five consecutive wins to end the 2002 season.
The 2004 and 2005 seasons were less successful, with the Razorbacks posting a 5–6 record in 2004 and failing to make a bowl appearance in 2005.
Nutt’s team rebounded in 2006, winning the SEC Western Division and making it to the SEC Championship Game, though they lost to Florida. Star running back Darren McFadden finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
In 2007, Arkansas capped the season with a dramatic 50–48 triple-overtime win over top-ranked LSU. Nutt resigned after the season, citing a “divided fan base”, finishing with a 75–48 record, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas .
Bobby Petrino Era (2008–2011)
2008: Petrino’s hiring and transitional first year
AUBURN, AL – OCTOBER 11: Bobby Petrino of the Arkansas Razorbacks yells to his team during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 11, 2008 in Auburn, Alabama. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 25 to 22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Bobby Petrino was hired on December 11, 2007, becoming Arkansas’ 31st head coach, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas .
His first season was marked by transition, ending with a 5–7 record.
Despite the struggles, a highlight came with a dramatic last-second victory over LSU, known as “Miracle on Markham II.”
2009–2010: Rise under Petrino and Ryan Mallett’s leadership
In 2009, quarterback Ryan Mallett led the Razorbacks to an improved 8–5 record.
They nearly upset the top-ranked Florida Gators and won the Liberty Bowl against East Carolina.
The following year, Arkansas posted a 10–2 record and earned its first BCS bowl berth. Although they lost to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, Mallett set multiple school passing records, and Petrino received a seven-year contract extension.
In 2011, Tyler Wilson took over as quarterback, leading the Razorbacks to an 11–2 record.
They won the Cotton Bowl Classic against Kansas State and finished ranked No. 5, with only losses to Alabama and LSU. However, Petrino’s tenure ended in scandal. After a motorcycle accident revealed an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and undisclosed payments.
Petrino was dismissed in April 2012, leaving with a 34–17 record, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas .
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks during game action against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on September 13, 2014 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Arkansas defeated Texas Tech 49-28. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
However, Bielema began to turn things around in 2014, leading Arkansas to a 7–6 record and a Texas Bowl victory over Texas.
2015–2016: Progress and bowl success
The 2015 season saw further improvement, as the Razorbacks finished 8–5 and won the Liberty Bowl against Kansas State.
Bielema’s final season in 2017 ended with a 4–8 record. He was dismissed after a loss to Missouri on November 24, 2017, leaving Arkansas with a five-year record of 29–34.
2020: Pittman’s early years and COVID-19 challenges
Sam Pittman was hired on December 8, 2019. In his first season, the Razorbacks posted a 3–7 record, though their scheduled Mercari Texas Bowl was canceled due to COVID-19 issues with TCU.
2021: Improvement
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Sam Pittman of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on during a timeout in the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
In 2021, Pittman led the Razorbacks to a much-improved 9–4 record, including a win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. The season also featured key victories over Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Missouri, restoring excitement to the program.
In 2022, Arkansas started strong but finished with a 7–6 record. Despite setbacks, the Razorbacks ended the year with a win over Kansas in the Liberty Bowl, continuing Pittman’s positive momentum as head coach.
KNWA & FOX24 - Northwest Arkansas & River Valley News1 day ago
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