Bobby Petrino 2012 Signing Day Press Conference

Bobby Petrino's 2012 Signing Day Press Conference is interesting. He breaks down the recruits but not with a lot of detail. The press asks Petrino about DGB but neither Petrino nor the press goes to the next level or in too much depth on his situation.

Petrino does touch on the difficulties of the new SEC recruiting rule of hard capping teams at 25 players.

The video quality is not the best but the audio is fine.

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Arkansas Sports Quick Hits

Five players with ties to the state of Arkansas will be playing in this year’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

The New York Giants have three players on their roster: OT Stacy Andrews (Camden, Ark), Mitch Petrus from Carlisle High School (University of Arkansas) in his second season, and Tony Ugoh (University of Arkansas) in his fifth season in the NFL.

The New England Patriots have two players with Arkansas connections with rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett (University of Arkansas) and practice squad linebacker Markell Carter (University of Central Arkansas).

Mallett is listed as the Pats third string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer.

Carter was a 2011 sixth round draft pick of the Pats.

A Transfer for the Razorbacks Basketball Team

According to Hot100Hoops.com 6’2” guard Fred Gulley has transferred from Oklahoma State to the Hogs.

Gulley, a redshirt sophomore from Fayetteville, Ark., enrolled at mid-term and will be allowed to play for the Hogs after the fall semester is completed in 2012 once he is cleared by the NCAA.

To date Gulley has not been officially offered a scholarship by Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson.

Gulley averaged 16.4 points per game on the 2009 Fayetteville High School team that went 30-0 and won the state championship.

Long Time Coming for Jeff Long

After a Top Five finish for the Razorbacks in football what else could athletic director Jeff Long hope for with Arkansas’ athletic program?

Long can boast that the gymnastics team that is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, the men’s track team that is ranked No. 1 (first time since 2009), the women’s track team that is ranked No. 3, men’s golf is No. 3, and the baseball team preseason No. 4.

Congratulations to Jeff Long, the Arkansas athletic department, the coaching staffs, and the players.  

Arkansas College Football Recruiting Update

Arkansas commitment defensive end JaMichael Winston, 3-star, is scheduled to visit Michigan State this weekend. He visited Clemson this past weekend. Clemson has not officially offered Winston a scholarship, Michigan State has.

Defensive tackle Tyler Nero is not visiting Arkansas this weekend.  

4-star defensive end Tawain Johnson was visited at school by Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive line coach Chris Klenakis on Monday. Johnson visited Clemson this past weekend.

Dalton Santos is scheduled to make an official visit to Texas next weekend. Santos, a University of Tennessee commitment, visited the Hogs this past week.

3-star Arkansas wide receiver commitment Eric Hankins was reported to have an in-school visit from Petrino and cornerbacks coach Bobby Allen on Tuesday.

Quarterback Nick Schuessler may only visit Arkansas on Friday. He is scheduled to visit Mississippi State on Saturday. 

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SEC Football: Arkansas Places Six Seniors in Post-Season All-Star Games

The Arkansas Razorbacks has six seniors out of a total of 51 former SEC players that will participate in three of four different post-season all-star games.

Running back Broderick Green (Little Rock, Arkansas) will be the first former Hog to appear in a game when he suits up for the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game January 16.

Green, a punishing runner listed at 6’2”, 244 pounds, finished the 2011 college football season with 260 rushing yards on 68 carries. He led the Razorbacks with five rushing touchdowns this year.

For his career at Arkansas he complied 1,235 rushing yards on 308 attempts for 22 touchdowns.

Five other former SEC players will be appearing in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game: OT Chandler Burden from Kentucky, DE Wayne Dorsey from Ole Miss, QB Jarrett Lee from LSU, CB Anthony Mosley from Kentucky, and LB Austin Johnson from Tennessee.

The Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game takes place in Phoenix, Arizona at the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium and airs on FOX Sports Net at 8 p.m. EST January 16.

In the East-West Shrine Game the NFL Network will showcase the talents of wide receivers Greg Childs and Jarius Wright along with linebacker Jerry Franklin.

Franklin was a four year starter for the Hogs. He led Arkansas in tackles in each of the past four years finishing with 100 or more tackles in his junior and senior seasons- 101 in 2011 and 100 in 2010.  

Franklin was one of eight total Razorbacks voted All-SEC in 2011. He was second team defense as picked by SEC Coaches.

Jarius Wright led the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and touchdown receptions (12) during his senior season. Wright was one catch shy of tying Tennessee’s Da’Rick Rogers conference leading total of 67.

Greg Childs played much of the 2011 season still recovering from a patellar tendon injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of a 2010 game against Vanderbilt. He had his best game of the season in the Cotton Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats finishing with five catches for 48 yards.

Childs ended his college football career with 2,069 total receiving yards, 133 receptions, and 15 total touchdowns.

Nine other SEC players will appear in the East-West Shrine Game including: QB John Brantley from Florida, Tauren Poole from Tennessee, DT DeAngelo Tyson, PK Blair Walsh, FB Bruce Figgins from Georgia, DE Kentrell Lockett and OT Bradley Sowell from Ole Miss, C Quentin Saulsberry from Mississippi State, and DT Travian Robertson from South Carolina.

The East-West Shrine Game starts at 4 p.m. EST and will be shown on the NFL Network January 21. The game will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Senior Bowl has the largest collection of former SEC players among the post-season all-star games with 23 total players appearing including two Razorbacks- WR Joe Adams and DE Jake Bequette.

Jake Bequette was first team All-SEC in 2011 after totaling 10 sacks, five quarterback hurries, and 10.5 tackles for a loss while appearing in 10 games. He had multiple sack games against South Carolina (3), Mississippi State (2), and Kansas State (2).

Joe Adams was a consensus All-American as a punt returner for Arkansas. He ranked No. 2 in Division 1-A in total punt return yards (321), average return yards per punt (16.89), but led all players in returns for a touchdown (4).

Adams was a primary threat in the SEC one of the Razorbacks top wide receivers. He ranked No. 8 in the SEC with 652 total receiving yards and No. 4 in total receptions with 54 while catching three touchdown passes.

As a threat out of the backfield, Adams had 10 rushing attempts for 139 yards with one touchdown.

The 21 other former SEC players scheduled to play in the Senior Bowl include: RB Vick Ballard from MSU, DT Josh Chapman, Safety Mark Barron, WR Marquis Maze, CB DeQuan Menzie, LB Courtney Upshaw, and C William Vlachos from Alabama, Punter Drew Butler, CB Brandon Boykin, OT Cordy Glenn, and C Ben Jones from Georgia, DT Jaye Howard and RB Chris Rainey from Florida, RT Brandon Mosley and LS Josh Harris from Auburn, CB Casey Hayward from Vanderbilt, DE Melvin Ingram and S/LB Antonio Allen from South Carolina, and OG Will Blackwell, TE Deangelo Peterson, and Safety Brandon Taylor from LSU.

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama will air on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. EST January 28.

No former Razorback players will appear in the Battle for Florida played on January 21 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX College Sports in Boca Raton, Florida. 

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SEC Football: Arkansas Heats up the College Football Recruiting Trail

The next three weekends are important for every college football program as high school seniors and junior college recruits from across the country begin to narrow their choices of favorite schools before National Signing Day on February 1.

Of all the Division 1-A teams set to host future colligate players no university may have as much impressive talent scheduled to visit than the Arkansas Razorbacks over the next two weekends.

The Hogs host 10 recruits over the weekend of January 13, with 20 more set to visit the weekend of the 20th.

With 21 recruits currently committed to the program, what will the Razorbacks do with all of the potential talent coming to campus?

Recruits Visiting January 13

WR Eric Hawkins, Longview, Texas, 5’11”, 172 pounds, 4.5 40 yard dash, 3-Stars

CB Will Hines, Waco, Texas, 6’1”, 175 pounds, 4.5 40 yard dash, 3-Stars

DE JaMichael Winston, Prichard, Alabama, 6’5”, 226 pounds, N/A 40 yard dash, 3-Star

MLB Beau Hankins, Birmingham, Alabama, 6’2”, 226 pounds, 4.6 40 yard dash, 3-Star

OLB Harding Harper, Montgomery, Alabama, 6’2”, 212 pounds, 4.6 40 yard dash, 3-Star

CB Chris Humes, Hoover, Alabama, 6’1”, 195, N/A 40 yard dash, 3-Star

DE Deatrich Wise, Carlton, Texas, 6’5”, 235 pounds, 4.7 40 yard dash, 3-Star

OT Evan Goodman, Lakeland, Florida, 6’4”, 290 pounds, N/A 40 yard dash, 4-Star

LB Vin Ascolese, North Bergen, New Jersey, 6’2”, 215 pounds, 4.5 40 yard dash, 2-Star

LB Kenny Orjioke, Marietta, Georgia, 6’3”, 215 pounds, N/A 40 yard dash, 3-Star

*All rankings are per Rivals.com

Eric Hawkins committed to the Razorbacks on July 16.

Will Hines is ranked the No. 35 cornerback in the nation. He is currently committed to Missouri.

JaMichael Winston committed to Arkansas on October 11. He has visits scheduled to Michigan State and Clemson upcoming.

Beau Hankins has been offered by Stanford, Purdue, Iowa State, Wake Forest, and Arkansas.

Harding Harper is listed as the 55th best linebacker in this year’s senior class. He has been offered by Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Illinois among other schools.

Chris Humes has been reportedly offered by Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Louisville.

Deatrich Wise committed to Arkansas on August 6.

Evan Goodman, ranked No. 36 in the nation as an offensive tackle, committed to Arizona State on August 1. Goodman committed while Dennis Erickson was still the head coach at ASU. Erickson was fired November 28.

Vin Ascolese has been offered by Illinois, Cincinnati, and reports an offer from Michigan State. He has not been offered by the Razorbacks to date. Ascolese played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Game in Phoenix, Arizona January 3. He was one of 100 players selected for the game.

Kenny Orjioke committed to UCLA December 19. He reports offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss, UCLA, North Carolina, and Arizona State.

All 10 recruits made the trip to Arkansas for their official visit.

Recruits Visiting January 20

WR Dorial Green-Beckham, 5-Star, not committed, possible delayed arrival

RB Trey Williams, 5-Star, committed to Texas A&M

OL Germain Ifedi, 3-Star, committed to Texas A&M

DT Tyler Nero, 3-Star, committed to Auburn

WR Davonte Neal, 4-Star, not committed

OT Jordan Diamond, 4-Star, not committed

LB Dalton Santos, 3-Star, committed to Tennessee

DE Darius English, 3-Star, committed to South Carolina

TE Sean Price, 4-Star, committed to South Florida

OL Jeremy Ward, 4-Star, committed to Arkansas

LB A.J. Turner, 4-Star, committed to Arkansas

RB Donovan Roberts, 3-Star, committed to Arkansas

Arkansas is currently ranked No. 29 by Rivals.com, No. 18 by Scout.com, and is not ranked by ESPN.com at this time.

The Razorbacks recruiting coordinator is running back coach Tim Horton.

Dann Kabala is Arkansas’ eligibility coordinator and director of on-campus recruiting.

Recruiting Updates

Jalen Cobb of Warren, Arkansas is no longer committed to the Razorbacks due to possible academic problems. Cobb is listed as a 4-star receiver and ranked the No. 43 high school wide receiver in the nation.

Cobb has not committed to another team since de-committing from the Razorbacks.

Norman, Oklahoma running back Donovan Roberts was recently offered by hometown heavy University of Oklahoma. Roberts has maintained his commitment to the Hogs and remains a solid verbal commitment. 

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All-SEC Running Back Knile Davis Announces his Return to the Hogs in 2012

After weeks of speculation and internet rumors Razorback fans no longer have to worry, All-SEC running back Knile Davis announced that he will officially return to the Hogs next season.

In 2010 Knile Davis helped lead the Razorbacks to their first BCS Bowl game appearance when the Hogs squared off against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

Davis finished the season as the leading rusher from the tailback position in the SEC gaining 1,322 yards with a 6.5 yard per carry average. He finished No. 16 in total rushing in Division 1-A.

Davis did not start the 2010 season as the Hogs primary running option. In the first four games of the season he had 20 rushing attempts for 121 yards. He caught fire against Texas A&M in the fifth game of the season running for 82 yards on 10 carries.

From that point on Davis accreted himself as one of the premiere running backs in college football. Over the remaining 9 games he tallied 1,201 yards rushing averaging 133 yards per game with 13 total touchdowns.  

During fall practices Davis injured his ankle for the third time in his football career causing him to miss the entire 2011 season. His senior season in high school was cut short when he broke his ankle limiting Davis to a total of 33 carries. As a freshman in spring practices he re-injured the same ankle.

Speculation centered on Davis’ return when he submitted his name to the NFL Draft Advisory Board in December causing message boards and rumors to swirl about the future of Davis in a Razorback uniform.

Davis will be considered a redshirt junior next season when he returns to action. 

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SEC Football: Recapping the 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks with a Look Ahead to 2012

What more can be said about the season Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and his Razorback’s have had that has not already been said? Simply put, they had one of the best seasons in the school’s history. With all due respect to all previous Arkansas teams, maybe the second best ever?

Petrino guided Arkansas to their third 11 win season in school history (1964, Broyles, and 1977, Holtz), first in the BCS era. In the process the Razorbacks played four teams ranked in the BCS Top 10 finishing the season with a 29-16 win over Big 12 runner-up, No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats.

Entering the 2011 season the Hogs’ offense only returned four starters from 2010’s 10-win BCS Sugar Bowl team. Players gone to the NFL included: starting quarterback Ryan Mallett, All-SEC offensive linemen DeMarcus Love and Wade Grayson, and Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams.

The Hogs were dealt two significant losses during spring and fall practices when running backs Knile Davis (foot) and Broderick Green (knee) suffered major injuries. Adding to the offensive woes was a hamstring injury to junior running back Dennis Johnson, a 2009 All-American as a kickoff returner.

Petrino had the arduous task of getting first-year starter Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson, three offensive linemen, running back Ronnie Wingo Jr., and a new starting tight end ready for one of the more demanding schedules in college football.

The 2010 Arkansas team was one of the most prolific scoring teams in school history finishing the season No. 17 in scoring offense (36.5 points per game) and No. 9 in total offense (482.5 yards per game) in Division 1-A.

Life was no easier on defense for coordinator Willy Robinson. The Razorbacks returned seven starters after losing players like Rudell Crim, Anthony Leon, and Ramon Broadway.

During the 2010 season the Hogs ranked 36th in total defense (348 yards per game) after playing six ranked teams- No. 1 Alabama, No. 7 Auburn, No. 18 South Carolina, No. 22 Mississippi State, No. 6 LSU, and No. 6 Ohio State.

The overlooked Razorback defense had a stronger finish than most expected ending No. 47 in total defense in 2011 allowing an average of 363 yards per game. Their scoring defense improved from No. 47 (23.4 points per game) in 2010 to No. 33 (22.23 points per game).

Playing not only in the toughest football conference in Division 1-A but perhaps the toughest division in college football history, the Hogs managed to finish the 2011 season with only two defeats, both coming on the road to then No. 3 Alabama and No. 1 LSU.

Regardless of the shortage on returning starters, Petrino added to his reputation as one of the greatest offensive football minds in the game after leading the Hogs to an average of 438.08 yards per game (No. 1 in the SEC) and the No. 16 ranked scoring offense in Division 1-A, averaging 36.77 points per game.

The Razorback offense played four teams that finished in the Top 20 in total defense- No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 LSU, No. 3 South Carolina, and No. 18 Vanderbilt.

On the schedule for the Hogs were Tennessee and Mississippi State. Both teams ended up No. 27 and No. 35 respectively in total defense.

Quarterback Tyler Wilson led the SEC in total passing yards (3,638), completion percentage among quarterbacks with over 300 passing attempts (63.2), total completions (277), and finished second in total touchdown passes (24).

Comparing Wilson’s 2011 season to Mallett’s 2010: Wilson had 11 more completions, eight fewer touchdown passes but threw six fewer interceptions (6 total) than Mallett’s 12. Mallett threw for 231 more total yards than Wilson.

Wilson spread the ball around to his receivers in Petrino’s offense. His favorite target was Senior receiver Jarius Wright. Wright led the SEC in yards (1,117) and touchdowns (12). He finished second to Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) in total receptions with 66 to Rogers’ 67.

Seven Arkansas players caught 20 or more passes, four amassing over 500 total receiving yards- Wright, Joe Adams 54 catches 652 yards, Cobi Hamilton 34 receptions for 542 yards, Chris Gragg 41 catches for 518 yards, Dennis Johnson 24 receptions for 255 total yards, Greg Childs 21 receptions for 240 yards, and Ronnie Wingo Jr. 20 catches 187 total yards.

Wright, Adams, and Childs are all graduating seniors. Which returning Razorback receivers will replace this dynamic trio?

Cobi Hamilton is a junior with great speed and a knack for breaking loose in the oppositions secondary. As a freshman Hamilton averaged 18.3 yards per catch, as a sophomore he averaged 19.7, and this year he posted a 15.9 yard per catch average.

True freshman wide receiver Marquel Wade (Jacksonville, Florida) made an immediate impact on special teams for the Hogs with his game-breaking speed. Wade averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff return taking one of 14 returns to the house for an 85-yard touchdown.

Julian Horton, Quinta Funderburk, Keante Minor, Maudrecus Humphrey, and Javontee Herndon are all eagerly waiting for their chance to replace the aforementioned departing Razorback receiving core.

Perhaps two of the most difficult players to replace on the entire team will be linebacker Jerry Franklin and defensive end Jake Bequette.

Franklin led the team in tackles in each of the past four seasons. Franklin registered over 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons and was the heart and soul of the Razorback defense.

Bequette finished the season tied for second in the SEC with 10 sacks despite missing action in four different games. Bequette graduates third on the Razorback career sack list with 23.5- Wayne Martin 25.5 and Henry Ford 25.

Junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith, sophomore defensive end Chris Smith, and true freshman defensive end Trey Flowers (Huntsville, Alabama) all appear ready to take over for the senior players.

Highsmith was second on the team with 4.5 sacks and third in total tackles with 80. Highsmith finished No. 10 in the SEC with 12.5 tackles for a loss. Smith was third on the team with 3.5 sacks and Flowers plays with a motor that never stops.

The secondary will miss the athletic play of safety Tramain Thomas. Thomas led the Razorbacks in interceptions the past two seasons- four in 2010 and five in 2011. He was also second in total tackles for the Hogs this year with 91.

Not accounting for players leaving early for the NFL, the Razorbacks should return seven starters on offense- Wilson, guard Alvin Bailey, center Travis Swanson, tackle Jason Peacock, early season starter true freshman Mitch Smothers (Springdale, Arkansas), tight end Chris Gragg, and running back Dennis Johnson.

Fullback Kiero Small, receiver Cobi Hamilton, and running back Ronnie Wingo’s contributions as starters cannot be overlooked heading into 2012.

Much speculation has centered on the return of All-SEC running back Knile Davis. Most Razorback fans expect Davis to return to his 2010 form in 2012 when he totaled 1,322 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns- second highest total in the SEC to Cam Newton’s 1,473. Rumblings have Davis possibly declaring for the NFL Draft despite missing the entire 2011 season.

Is it too late to start a “one more year” campaign for Davis in Fayetteville?

Regardless of Davis’ 2012 status the Hogs will be stacked at running back with Johnson, Wingo, and Kody Walker returning.

Defensively the Hogs will return seven starters- linemen Bryan Jones, Robert Thomas, and Tenarius Wright, Highsmith, corners Darius Winston and true freshman Tevin Mitchell (Mansfield, Texas) with safety Eric Bennett.

The play of the Razorback front seven against Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl has fans excited about the arrival of new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes.

Arkansas held the Wildcats to 87 total rushing yards while totaling six sacks. The secondary limited KSU quarterback Collin Klein to 173 passing yards.

Is this a sign of things to come from Arkansas’ defense?

On special teams Arkansas will return punter Dylan Breeding and place kick Zach Hocker. Breeding led the SEC in punting averaging 45.28 yards per punt. His ability to flip the field of play was a defensive weapon throughout the season.

Hocker was fourth in the SEC in field goal percentage (78) and tied for second in total field goals (21). Hocker led the SEC with 40 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Dennis Johnson and Marquel Wade give the Razorbacks two of the better return specialist in the SEC. Johnson and Wade both returned kickoffs for touchdowns in 2011.

The schedule plays into Arkansas’ favor in 2012. With seven home games, including SEC rivals Alabama and LSU, and the possible addition of another home non-conference game, the Hogs should find comfort in the friendly confines of Reynolds Razorback Stadium and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas was undefeated at home in 2011.

Vanderbilt and Tennessee are rotated off the schedule for a home game against Kentucky. SEC newcomer Texas A&M, a team the Hogs have beaten three straight years in non-conference play, becomes a permanent fixture as a SEC West divisional rival.

With all of the returning talent and home schedule a third straight 10-win season for the Hogs is a more than reasonable expectation.

Petrino leading Arkansas to their only back-to-back 11 win season is a possibility worth visiting Las Vegas.

Watching the Razorbacks roll to the SEC Championship Game in 2012 with a chance to play in the BCS National Championship game is what Razorback Nation has been waiting for.

Any Razorback fans ready for fall practices yet?

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2012 Cotton Bowl Depth Chart: Arkansas Razorbacks versus Kansas State Wildcats

It comes as no surprise that the 2012 Cotton Bowl between No. 6 Arkansas and No. 8 Kansas State features two depth charts loaded with upper classmen.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have five seniors and seven juniors listed on their two-deep offensive depth chart. The notable Hog seniors include a trio of wide receivers – Jarius Wright, Greg Childs, and Joe Adams.

Adams was a consensus All-American as a punt returner and Wright leads the SEC in receiving touchdowns.

The Kansas State Wildcats list five seniors and 10 juniors on their offensive depth chart. None more important on offense than junior quarterback Collin Klein and junior running back John Hubert.

On defense the Wildcats have a pair of junior transfers, cornerback Nigel Morgan from City College of San Francisco and linebacker Arthur Brown from University of Miami, that are the heart and soul of their team.

Jerry Franklin, the Razorbacks’ Senior middle linebacker, is a four-year starter and team leader in tackles. Tramain Thomas leads the Hogs in interceptions (5) while senior defensive end Jake Bequette leads the team in sacks (8.5).

Kansas State does not have an Arkansas player listed on their team.

Defensive tackle Robert Thomas is the only Arkansas player with immediate ties to the state of Kansas. Thomas graduated high school from Muskogee, Oklahoma but is a junior college transfer from Coffeyville, Kansas.

                                     

The following is a two-deep listing of the depth charts for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Kansas State Wildcats heading into the 2012 Cotton Bowl.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Offense

WR Joe Adams (Sr.)             

Julian Horton (So.)

WR Jarius Wright (Sr.)          

Marquel Wade (Fr.)

WR Cobi Hamilton (Jr.) or    

Greg Childs (Sr.)

RB Dennis Johnson (Jr.) or    

Ronnie Wingo Jr. (Jr.)

FB Kiero Small (Jr.)

QB Tyler Wilson (Jr.)             

Brandon Mitchell (So.)

TE Chris Gragg (Jr.)               

Austin Tate (So.)

OT Jason Peacock (Jr.) or      

Mitch Smothers (Fr.)

OG Grant Cook (Sr.)             

Luke Charpentier (Fr.)

C Travis Swanson (So.)         

Tyler Deacon (Jr.)

OG Alvin Bailey (So.)           

Chris Stringer (So.)

OT Grant Freeman (Sr.)         

Brey Cook (Fr.)

Defense

DE Jake Bequette (Sr.)          

Chris Smith (So.)

DT Bryan Jones (So.)             

Alfred Davis (Jr.)

DT Robert Thomas (So.)        

DeQuinta Jones (Jr.)

DE Tenarius Wright (Jr.)        

Trey Flowers (Fr.)

OLB Alonzo Highsmith (Jr.) 

Bret Harris (Sr.)

MLB Jerry Franklin (Sr.)       

Terrell Williams (Jr.)

OLB Jerrico Nelson (Sr.)       

Ross Rasner (Jr.)

CB Darius Winston (Jr.)        

Tevin Mitchell (Fr.)

S Eric Bennett (So.)               

Elton Ford (Sr.)

S Tramain Thomas (Sr.)         

Ryan Farr (Jr.)

CB Isaac Madison (Sr.)         

Greg Gatson (Sr.)

Special Teams

K Zach Hocker (So.)

P Dylan Breeding (Sr.)

SNP Alan D’Appollonio (Fr.)

H Brian Buehner (Fr.)

KOR Dennis Johnson (Sr.)    

Marquel Wade (Fr.)

PR Joe Adams (Sr.)               

Marquel Wade (Fr.)

*Information obtained from the 2012 Arkansas Razorback Cotton Bowl Media Guide

Kansas State Wildcats

Offense

WR Chris Harper (Jr.)            

Tramaine Thompson (So.)

WR Sheldon Smith (Sr.)        

Curry Sexton (Fr.)

WR Brodrick Smith (Jr.)        

Torell Miller (So.)

RB John Hubert (So.)            

Angelo Pease (Jr.)

FB Braden Wilson (Jr.)          

Jay Hanley (Jr.)

QB Collin Klein (Jr.)              

Sammuel Lamur (Sr.)

TE Travis Tannahill (Jr.)         

Andre McDonald (So.)

RT Clyde Aufner (Sr.)           

Cornelius Lucas (So.)

RG Colten Freeze (Sr.)          

Jordan Allred (Jr.)

C B.J. Finney (Fr.)                 

Tomasi Mariner (Fr.)

LG Nick Puetz (Jr.)                

Keenan Taylor (So.)

LT Zach Hanson (Sr.)            

Ethan Douglas (Jr.)    

Defense

CB Nigel Malone (Jr.)            

Allen Champman (Jr.)

FS Tysyn Hartman (Sr.)         

Matthew Pearson (Sr.)

SS Ty Zimmerman (So.)        

Thomas Ferguson (Jr.)

CB David Garrett (Sr.)          

Kip Daily (Jr.)

WLB Tre Walker (So.)           

Blake Slaughter (Jr.)

MLB Arthur Brown (Jr.)       

Jarell Childs (Jr.)

SLB Emmanuel Lamur (Sr.)  

Jonathan Truman (Fr.)

DE Jordan Voelker (Sr.)        

Meshak Williams (Jr.)

DT Vai Lutui (Jr.)                  

Raphael Guidry (Sr.)

NT Ray Kibble (Sr.)               

John Sua (Jr.)

DE Adam Davis (Jr.)             

Laton Dowling (Fr.)

Special Teams

K Anthony Cantele (Jr.)

P Ryan Doerr (Jr.)

KOR Tramaine Thompson (So.)        

Chris Harper (Jr.)

PR Tramaine Thompson (So.)

Ty Zimmerman (So.)

*Information obtained from the 2011-2012 Kansas State Cotton Bowl Media Guide

The Cotton Bowl will be played January 6, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Game time is 8:00 p.m. EST on FOX.

FOX Broadcast Team

Gus Johnson – Play-by-play

Charles Davis – Color

Tim Brewster – Sideline Reporter

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Arkansas Razorback Records on the Line versus Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl

 

Since the arrival of Bobby Petrino as Arkansas’ head coach in 2008 the Razorback offense has taken off to new heights, especially in the passing game. It comes as no surprise that the 2011 Razorback college football team could see several offensive records broken by season’s end. 

Here are a few team and individual single season and career records that could be lost or achieved for the Hogs in the 2012 Cotton Bowl against Kansas State.

Points per Game:

Arkansas currently averages 37.42 points per game ranking No. 14 in college football for the season. The previous single season record for the Razorbacks was in 2007 when the Hogs averaged 37.3 points per game. 

If the Hogs pull up short of their season’s scoring average against the Wildcats they will fall behind the 2007 team.

Kansas State allows 27.83 points per game ranking No. 70 in college football.

Pass Completions for the Season:

In 2010 Arkansas completed 301 passes. Led by Ryan Mallett’s 266 pass completions with the help of Tyler Wilson’s 34. 

This season Tyler Wilson has the Hogs on the cusp of breaking a record he helped set.

The Hogs have completed 279 passes entering the Cotton Bowl, 257 by Wilson. 22 more completions will tie the single season mark. 

The Wildcat pass defense is ranked No. 104 in CFB allowing an average of 267.33 yards per game.

KSU allows an opponent completion rate of 63 percent.

Total Team Points Scored in a Season:

The 2007 Razorback team was the most prolific scoring team in school history compiling 485 points behind the play of Doak Walker Award winner Darren McFadden and his backfield teammates Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. 

The Hogs almost eclipsed the 2007 scoring record last season when they posted 474 points, the second highest total in school history. 

If Arkansas hits their 2011 points per game average (37.4) against the Wildcats they will pass the 36 total points needed to tie the 2007 mark and set the single season scoring record.

Total Individual Points Scored in a Season:

Sophomore kicker Zach Hocker is 13 points behind Bill Burnett’s 1969 record of 120 points scored in a season and 2 points behind Alex Tejada’s second place mark of 109 points set in 2007.

Hocker has kicked 53 PATs and 18 field goals in 2011 to reach the third highest total in a season – 107.  

Total Touchdowns in a Season:

The 2007 Razorback team scored 62 total touchdowns to set the school record. The past two seasons Bobby Petrino’s offense has scored 60 touchdowns each year to set the mark for second most touchdowns scored passing the 2003 mark of 56.

If Petrino’s offense can score six more touchdowns against Kansas State they will tie the single season record of 62.

Kansas State’s total defense is ranked No. 73 in college football giving up 398.75 yards per game.

Single Season Receiving Touchdowns:

Senior wide receiver Jarius Wright is tied with former Razorback receiver Markus Monk for the most touchdown receptions in a season with 11. One more receiving touchdown places Wright as the single season record setter.

Career Receiving Yards:

Jarius Wright set the single season receiving yardage total at Arkansas in 2011 – 1,029.

Anthony Lucas set the career receiving yard mark for the Razorbacks between 1995-1999 piling up 2,879 total yards. 

Wright has 2,846 total career receiving yards entering the Cotton Bowl putting him 33 yards away from tying Lucas’ career total.

Career Receiving Touchdowns:

Wright is also within reach of tying Markus Monks’ career receiving touchdown total of 27 for the Razorbacks. Monk set the record during the 2004-2007 seasons.

Wright has 23 career touchdowns.

2011 SEC Receiving Totals:

Wright needs 11 more receiving yards to overtake Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for the SEC lead in receiving yards. Rogers has 1,040 total yards.

Wright is also five receptions (63) shy of passing Rogers for the SEC lead in total catches. Rogers has 67 total receptions.

Wright is the league leader in total receiving touchdowns with 11.

The 2012 Cotton Bowl will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas January 6, at 7:00 p.m. CST on FOX.

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Trying to Understand Arkansas’ Route to Paul Haynes over Randy Shannon as New DC

Tuesday December 6, Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino announced Willy Robinson was “resigning” from his position as defensive coordinator with the Razorbacks. The following day sources close to the Razorback program let it known that Randy Shannon, the former head coach at the University of Miami, was in line to be the next defensive coordinator for the Hogs pending financial agreements.

Razorback fans are now led to believe that Paul Haynes was Petrino’s top choice for defensive coordinator all along? Haynes hiring raises more questions than it provides answers. Something is amiss with this story.

The spin on Haynes selection as defensive coordinator is one of the best to come out of Arkansas in some time. To save face Razorback fans are now supposed to believe that it took Petrino four days to hire Paul Haynes as the new defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

Haynes had a nice title before leaving Ohio State, co-defensive coordinator. Haynes was promoted to co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State before the 2011 season after Luke Fickell left his co-defensive coordinator position to become the interim head coach for the Buckeyes.

Fickell shared co-defensive coordinators duties with Jim Heacock from 2005-2010 until former OSU head coach Jim Tressel left the program May 30, of this year following a major NCAA scandal surrounding the football team.

Haynes worked under Fickell and Jim Heacock during the past six years primarily coaching the secondary for the Buckeyes.

Between the two new co-defensive coordinators, Heacock was the defensive play caller during the 2011 season, not Haynes.

The next question to ask regarding Haynes hire at Arkansas is, “How great of a coach was Jim Tressel?” Or maybe the better question to ask is, “How bad was the staff under Tressel?”

This year could prove to be one of the worst football seasons in Columbus, Ohio, since 1999 when the Buckeyes finished 6-6. OSU finished the 2011 regular season 6-6 with a chance to finish with either a winning or losing record after they face off against the Florida Gators in the Gator Bowl January 2.

Should OSU lose to the Gators their season record would be the worst finish for the program since 1988 when they finished 4-6-1.

An argument in support of the Buckeye’s coaching staff could be made because five of their players were suspended for the first five games of the season or left the program before the season started. The big headline loss for the team was former starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Arkansas fans do not need to be reminded that the Razorbacks lost starting quarterback Ryan Mallett, Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams, and three starting offensive linemen after the 2010 season to graduation or the NFL.

The Hogs also lost All-SEC running back Knile Davis to injury before the season began. Two more running backs would miss significant game time as well due to injuries – Dennis Johnson and Broderick Green.

The Razorbacks losses did not stop with those players on offense as four starters on defense missed games due to injury in 2011- Jake Bequette, Darius Winston, Tank Wright, and Isaac Madison.

Petrino managed to lead Arkansas to a 10-2 regular season record, in arguably the toughest conference in college football, despite all of the adversity he faced due to player injuries.

Looking closer at the two program’s defensive numbers, Ohio State’s defense was No. 24 in total defense this season allowing an average of 328.58 yards per game. The Buckeyes scoring defense finished No. 26 giving up 20.75 per game.

Arkansas’ scoring defense was No. 37 allowing 22.75 points per game. The Hogs total defense was No. 51 giving up 371.42 yards per game. There is not a major difference between the team defenses statistically.

Arkansas faced two opponents, Texas A&M and Alabama, ranked in the Top 30 in total offense. Ohio State faced one – Wisconsin.

What recruiting help can Haynes bring to Petrino’s staff?

Ohio State is a school that recruits itself on a national level. According to Rivals.com, OSU is currently ranked No. 15 in recruiting. Arkansas is No. 25.

Of the 16 recruits that have orally committed to the Buckeyes 14 are in-state recruits. In 2011 14 of the 24 OSU recruits were from Ohio, which led to a No. 14 national recruiting ranking. Will Haynes be able to parlay his time in Ohio with top recruits for Arkansas?

Arkansas fans also do not need to be reminded that in last year’s Sugar Bowl, Petrino’s offense racked up 402 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes. Ryan Mallett threw for 277 yards with two touchdowns against Haynes’ secondary.

Next question: If Randy Shannon was not at the top of Petrino’s list, why wasn’t he?

Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010. He was the defensive coordinator for the Hurricanes from 2001-2006.

During his tenure as defensive coordinator Miami’s defense ranked No. 7 or better in 5 out of 6 years. Arkansas’ defense finished 2010 ranked No. 36 and No. 51 in 2011.

For his defensive coaching efforts, Shannon won the 2001 Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in college football. That same year Miami won the BCS National Championship Game as the Big East Conference Champions over Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl.

Shannon had Top 20 recruiting classes every year he was a either the defensive coordinator or the head coach at the University of Miami.

Shannon would have been able to help open new doors for the Razorback program in the state of Florida with top recruits.

Most SEC recruits want to know that their coaches can help them “make it” to the NFL once their collegiate career is finished. Shannon was an assistant with the Miami Dolphins from 1998-1999 and their linebackers coach in 2000. He would’ve brought extra credibility to the Razorback staff with his NFL background.

Another area Shannon could have helped in recruiting is the state of Texas. Shannon played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1989-1990. Although his playing career was short-lived, he was still part of “America’s Team” which carries a lot of weight in Texas.

If his resume was not impressive enough, Shannon was one of the starting linebackers for Jimmy Johnson’s 1987 University of Miami’s National Championship team.

Still we are supposed to believe that Paul Haynes was the top choice for Petrino over Shannon?

Leaked information from sources close to the Razorback program said Shannon’s hire was hinging on money. Regardless of the current spin centering on Haynes over Shannon, this seems credible. Bottom line, Arkansas does not pay their assistants on the level of other SEC teams. If Shannon wanted a top coordinator’s salary, why didn’t the Razorbacks pay him?

Former Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn makes $1.3 million per year as Auburn’s OC. Auburn’s football assistants will make a total of $4, 085,000 for the 2011 season.

Charlie Weis, the former offensive coordinator for the University of Florida, former head coach at Notre Dame, and offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots was set to make $765,000 this season and a total of $2.6 million over three years, including a $100,000 signing bonus to join the Gator’s staff. Weis was hired as the head coach at University of Kansas over the weekend after one year in Gainesville.

Paul Petrino was hired back as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator at $425,000 per year plus $50,000 for appearance fees, the same salary Garrick McGee was receiving before he took the head coaching job at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Arkansas already has one of the best offensive minds in college football on staff in Bobby Petrino. What they do not have is the defensive coordinator to match Petrino’s offense.

Will Haynes be the answer for Arkansas’ defensive woes? Time will tell. On paper, Arkansas did not necessarily improve their defense by letting Willy Robinson “resign” and hiring Haynes. The truth is the Razorbacks hired the co-defensive coordinator for the sixth best defense in the Big Ten.

Would Petrino add more confusion to Arkansas’ staff after the loss of Garrick McGee and John L. Smith if he did not already have a new coordinator in mind? If the new coordinator was Haynes, again why did it take four days to hire him?

Another truth is Haynes worked with John L. Smith at Louisville in 2002 and at Michigan State in 2003-2004. Petrino, it seems, shook the coaching family tree he loyally supports after talks with Shannon stopped.

One more puzzling question, why would Haynes take four days to accept the job at Arkansas when a demotion of some sort was sure to come his way at Ohio State? This is assuming new OSU head coach Urban Myer was even planning on keeping Haynes on his staff after the end of the season.

Luke Fickell and Jim Heacock were co-defensive coordinators before this season. Assuming Myer kept all three defensive coaches on staff one would expect that Fickell and Heacock would resume their previous roles as co-coordinators – right? That means that even if Haynes kept the title of co-defensive coordinator his role on the staff would be diminished in game planning at the very least; thus a demotion.

If Randy Shannon was not on the top of Arkansas’ list in favor of Paul Haynes because of money, Arkansas has showed that they talk-the-talk about wanting to win but don’t walk-the-walk when it comes time to pay for experienced coordinators like the other winning programs in the SEC. This only makes Petrino’s task more difficult.

Petrino has taken Arkansas to new heights over the past two seasons not seen since the 1980’s. He has proven his desire and dedication to making Arkansas an elite program. With Petrino on the sidelines Arkansas will always have a shot at winning.

If Petrino feels Haynes is a good hire for the team, then Haynes deserves the support of Razorback Nation.

As fans we may never know the truth about how Paul Haynes came to be the new defensive coordinator for the Razorbacks other than one positive spin article in hopes of rallying support around the new hire.

Should the Hogs defense falter in upcoming seasons, perhaps the Razorbacks will pay for what they want next time, a complete coaching staff that can help them win a BCS National Championship. 

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