2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2008
Team=Arkansas Razorbacks


ImageSize=150
Conference=Southeastern Conference
Division=West
ShortConference=SEC
CoachRank=
APRank=
Record=3–3
ConfRecord=1–2
HeadCoach=Bobby Petrino
OffCoach=Paul Petrino
DefCoach=Willy Robinson
OScheme=
DScheme=
StadiumArena=Razorback Stadium (76,000)
Champion=
Bowl=
BowlResult=2008 SEC Standings

The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represents the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks will play five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.ref label|Note1|a|a The Razorbacks will play eight teams that played in bowl games in the 2007 football season, including defending national championship LSU Tigers, in Bobby Petrino's inaugural season.

Leading into the 2008 season

Coaching change

Following the final game of the 2007 season, head coach Houston Nutt resigned from his position at Arkansas. [cite news|url=http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30726&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=1327084 |title=Houston Nutt Steps Down as Razorback Football Coach |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2007-11-26 |work=Hogwired ] He would later accept the head coaching position at Arkansas's division rival, the Ole Miss Rebels. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3129559 |title=Nutt agrees with Ole Miss hours after resigning from Arkansas |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2007-11-28 |work=ESPN]

After Houston Nutt's resignation, former Louisville Cardinals' and Atlanta Falcons' head coach Bobby Petrino was hired to be the new head coach of the Razorbacks. [cite news|url=http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=1351537 |title=Bobby Petrino Named Razorback Football Coach |date=2007-12-11 |accessdate=2008-01-27 |work=Hogwired] Petrino's contract with Arkansas is a five-year deal worth $2.85 million per year in annual compensation. [cite web |url=http://www.coacheshotseat.com/ArkansasCoachesHotSeat.pdf |title=Bobby Petrino's Arkansas Contract |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2007-12-11 |work=University of Arkansas |published=Coaches Hot Seat] [cite web |url=http://www.coacheshotseat.com/SalariesContracts.htm |title=Salaries & Contracts |accessdate=2008-01-27 |work=Coaches Hot Seat]

Petrino hired Bobby Allen (defensive tackles) [cite news|url=http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30726&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=1356945 |title=Bobby Allen Named to Head Coach Bobby Petrino's Football Staff |accessdate=2008-01-02 |date=2007-12-29 |work=Hogwired] cite news|url=http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=1363458 |title=Petrino Names Remainder of Razorback Football Staff |accessdate=2008-01-04 |date=2008-01-04 |work=Hogwired] , Kirk Botkin (defensive ends and special teams coordinator) [cite news|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801040334 |title=Botkin to leave ULM football staff for Arkansas |accessdate=2008-01-04 |date=2008-01-04 |author= Letlow, Paul J. |work=The News Star] , Dean Campbell (director of high school relations), Tim Horton (running backs, tight ends and recruiting coordinator) [cite news|url=http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30726&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=1353983 |title=Horton Named to Petrino’s Razorback Football Staff |accessdate=2008-01-02 |date=2007-12-18 |work=Hogwired] , Reggie Johnson (linebackers), Chip Long (graduate assistant), Garrick McGee (quarterbacks) [cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/721290,CST-SPT-nu01.article |title=NU loses McGee to Arkansas |accessdate=2008-01-02 |date=2008-01-01 |author=Watts, Larry |work=Chicago Sun Times] , Paul Petrino (offensive coordinator) [cite news|url=http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30726&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=135273848699 |title=Paul Petrino Named UA Offensive Coordinator |accessdate=2007-12-15 |date=2007-12-14 |work=Hogwired ] , Mark Robinson (director of football operations), Courtney Sanders (graduate assistant), Mike Summers (offensive line) [cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/01/03/falcoaches_0103.html |title=Falcons' line coach joins Petrino at Arkansas |accessdate=2008-01-03 |date=2008-01-04 |author=Wyche, Steve |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution] , Jason Veltkamp (strength and conditioning), and Lorenzo Ward (secondary). Ellis Johnson was originally hired to be the defensive coordinator [cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=331489 |title=Petrino hires Miss. St. aide to be coordinator |accessdate=2007-12-31 |date=2007-12-31 |author=Dienhart, Tom |work=SportingNews] ; however, Johnson resigned from his post to take a job with the South Carolina Gamecocks on January 24, 2008. [cite news|url=http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_article.asp?aID=102543.64526.114662 |title=Johnson Resigns as Hogs' Defensive Coordinator, Joins Gamecocks |accessdate=2008-01-24 |date=2008-01-24 |work=Arkansas Business] On February 6, 2008, Bobby Petrino hired former St. Louis Rams' secondary coach Willy Robinson as defensive coordinator. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3234133 |title=Arkansas hires Rams secondary coach as defensive coordinator |accessdate=2008-02-06 |date=2008-02-06 |work=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN]

Players

Arkansas will return with seven starters on offense and four starters on defense. Returnees on offense include quarterback Casey Dick, who threw for 1,695 yards and 18 touchdowns in the 2007 season, and 2007 Dave Rimington Trophy winner Jonathan Luigs. [cite news|url=http://nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/60818/ |title=Cotton Bowl Notes: Luigs to stay; McFadden, Jones still undecided |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2008-01-02 |work=Northwest Arkansas Times] Three players were named to the Southeastern Conference’s Pre-Season All-SEC Team: Jonathan Luigs, Mitch Petrus, and Antwain Robinson. [cite news |url=http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30726&SPID=2419&ATCLID=1515364&DB_OEM_ID=6100 |accessdate=2008-07-21 |date=2008-07-21 |work=Razorback Media Relations |publisher=Arkansas Razorbacks]

Departures

The University of Arkansas graduated 11 starting seniors in 2007, which included All-SEC offensive tackle Robert Felton, offensive tackle Nate Garner, fullback Peyton Hillis, wide receiver Robert Johnson, wide receiver Marcus Monk, defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, linebacker Weston Dacus, cornerback Michael Grant, cornerback Matterral Richardson, strong safety Matt Hewitt, and free safety Kevin Woods.

Arkansas also lost consensus All-American tailback Darren McFadden [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3192816 |title=Arkansas' McFadden declares for NFL draft |author=Pasquarelli, Len |work=ESPN |accessdate=2008-01-14 |date=2008-01-14] , All-American tailback Felix Jones [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3195375 |title=Junior running back Jones joins McFadden, heads to NFL |author=Schad, Joe |work=ESPN |accessdate=2008-01-14 |date=2008-01-14] , and wide receiver Sean Penix [cite news|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80603d33&template=with-video&confirm=true |title=Official list of underclassmen declaring for draft |work=NFL |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2008-01-20] as they decided to skip their senior season and declare for the 2008 NFL Draft. The team also lost three quarterbacks in the off-season. Brian Reader stated he would transfer to Monterey Peninsula College, [cite news|url=http://thecalifornian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/SPORTS/801240304/1006 |title=College football: Ex-Palma QB picks MPC |work=The Salinas Californian |author=Watkins, George |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2008-01-24] Nathan Emert left the team to pursue a career as a minister, [cite news|url=http://www.nwarktimes.com/nwat/Sports/60671 |title=Emert leaving Razorbacks for the pulpit |work=Northwest Arkansas Times |author=Allen, Nate |accessdate=2008-01-27 |date=2007-12-28] and Clark Irwin left the team to pursue a career in finance and real estate. Placekicker Brian Vavra also decided to leave the team to pursue other opportunities.cite news| url=http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/02/04/razorback_central/020508uafbnotebook.txt | title=Vavra, Irwin Leave Hogs | author=Abrams, Alex | publisher=The Morning News | work=The Morning News | date=2008-02-04 | accessdate=2008-02-04] Citing lack of playing time, fullback Hezekiah Smith transferred to in-state UAPB. [cite news| url=http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2008/02/07/sports/sports3.txt | title=Coleman's First Class Includes 23 Players | publisher=Pine Bluff Commercial Edition | accessdate=2008-02-10] After spring training began, redshirt freshman linebacker Tim Dial announced that he was leaving the team to transfer to East Central University. [cite news|url=http://media.www.thetraveleronline.com/media/storage/paper688/news/2008/04/04/Sports/Dial-Leaves.Football.Team-3304974.shtml |title=Dial leaves football team|author=Jones, Matt|work=The Arkansas Traveler|date=2008-04-04|accessdate=2008-04-06]

The Razorbacks also lost linebacker Freddie Fairchild when he was dismissed from the team on June 11, 2008. [cite news|url=http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/06/12/razorback_central/061208uafbfairchilddmiss.txt |title=FOOTBALL: Fairchild Kicked Off Arkansas Football Team |author=Abrams, Alex |work=The Morning News |publisher=Razorback Central |date=2008-06-11 |accessdate=2008-06-12]

Transfers

In January 2008, former five-star quarterback recruit Ryan Mallett transferred from Michigan to Arkansas. [cite news|url=http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/01/14/razorback_central/011508uafbmallettupdate.txt |title=Mallett In The Process of Transferring To UA |author=Abrams, Alex |work=The Morning News |accessdate=2008-01-16 |date=2008-01-14] Due to NCAA transfer rules, Mallett would redshirt his sophomore year and would be able to compete in the 2009 season; however, he would be allowed on the scout team in the 2008 season.

Recruits

On National Signing Day, February 6, 2008, Arkansas received 25 letters of intent by the following players listed below:College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Joe Adams
position = ATH
hometown = Little Rock, AR
highschool = Central Arkansas Christian
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 171
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 02/06/2008
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 83College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Lavunce Askew
position = DL
hometown = Camden, AR
highschool = Camden Fairview HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 280
40 = 4.83
commitdate = 07/28/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Khiry Battle
position = ATH
hometown = Dacula, GA
highschool = Dacula HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 204
40 = 4.58
commitdate = 07/21/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 76College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Greg Childs
position = WR
hometown = Warren, AR
highschool = Warren HS
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 198
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 07/26/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Brian Christopher
position = DE
hometown = Camden, AR
highschool = Camden Fairview HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 240
40 = 4.84
commitdate = 02/06/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = De'Anthony Curtis
position = RB
hometown = Camden, AR
highschool = Camden Fairview HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 204
40 = 4.41
commitdate = 07/07/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Alfred Davis
position = DT
hometown = College Park, GA
highschool = Banneker HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 292
40 = 5.56
commitdate = 01/27/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 72College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Austin Eoff
position = OG
hometown = Fort Smith, AR
highschool = Northside HS
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 309
40 = 5.32
commitdate = 06/14/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 75 College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Elton Ford
position = LB
hometown = Lithonia, GA
highschool = Lithonia HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 203
40 = 4.52
commitdate = 01/27/2008
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 75 College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Albert Gary
position = RB
hometown = Citra, FL
highschool = North Marion HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 177
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 02/06/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Gragg
position = WR
hometown = Warren, AR
highschool = Warren HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 195
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 07/22/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Matt Hall
position = OT
hometown = Russellville, AR
highschool = Russellville HS
feet = 6
inches = 10
weight = 313
40 = 5.62
commitdate = 09/03/2006
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 77 College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Dennis Johnson
position = RB
hometown = Texarkana, AR
highschool = Arkansas HS
feet = 5
inches = 8
weight = 180
40 = 4.4
commitdate = 01/14/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Basmine Jones
position = ATH
hometown = Warren, AR
highschool = Warren HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 195
40 = 4.51
commitdate = 06/26/2007
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jerico Nelson
position = ATH
hometown = Destrehan, LA
highschool = Destrehan HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 192
40 = 4.48
commitdate = 02/03/2008
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Anthony Oden
position = OL
hometown = Indianapolis, IN
highschool = Dunbar HS
feet = 6
inches = 8
weight = 288
40 = 4.87
commitdate = 01/27/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 72College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Raggett
position = DB/WR
hometown = Beaumont, TX
highschool = Ozen HS
feet = 5
inches = 11
weight = 288
40 = 4.50
commitdate = 02/05/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jelani Smith
position = LB
hometown = Abbeville, LA
highschool = Abbeville HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 209
40 = 4.63
commitdate = 06/01/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Zach Stadther
position = DT
hometown = North Little Rock, AR
highschool = North Little Rock HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 275
40 = 4.9
commitdate = 01/29/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 75College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tramain Thomas
position = ATH
hometown = Winnie, TX
highschool = East Chambers HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 175
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 02/03/2008
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 75College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Cruz Williams
position = WR
hometown = Little Rock, AR
highschool = Pulaski Academy
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 201
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 05/18/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tyler Wilson
position = QB
hometown = Greenwood, AR
highschool = Greenwood HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 184
40 = 4.75
commitdate = 12/17/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jarius Wright
position = WR
hometown = Warren, AR
highschool = Warren HS
feet = 5
inches = 11
weight = 178
40 = 4.4
commitdate = 07/25/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tenarius Wright
position = LB
hometown = Memphis, TN
highschool = Whitehaven HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 220
40 = 4.71
commitdate = 11/07/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 70College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jim Youngblood
position = QB
hometown = Camden, AR
highschool = Camden Fairview HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 215
40 = 4.69
commitdate = 02/27/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 75College Athlete Recruit End
40 = yes
year = 2008
rivals ref title = Arkansas Commit List for 2008
scout ref title = Scout.com Football Recruiting: Arkansas
espn ref title = 2008 Player Commitments - Arkansas
rivals school = 6
scout s = 10
espn schoolid = 8
scout overall = 23
rivals overall = 37
accessdate = 2008-02-06
collapse = yes

Regular season

chedule

CFB Schedule Entry
date = August 30
time = 6:00 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Western Illinois
opprank =
site_stadium = Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR
gamename =
tv =
score = 28–24
overtime =
attend = 70,537CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 6
time = 6:00 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Louisiana-Monroe
opprank =
site_stadium = War Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Little Rock, ARref label|Note2|b|b
gamename =
tv = PPV
score = 28–27
overtime =
attend = 55,048 CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 20
time = 11:30 am
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Alabama
opprank = 13
site_stadium = Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR
gamename =
tv = Raycom
score = 49–14
overtime =
attend = 72,315CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 27
time = 2:30 pm
w/l = l
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Texas
opprank = 7
site_stadium = Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 52–10
overtime =
attend = 97,833 CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 4
time = 11:30 am
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Florida
opprank = 13
site_stadium = Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR
gamename =
tv = Raycom
score = 38–10
overtime =
attend = 70,072 CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 11
time = 4:00 pm
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Auburn
opprank = 23
site_stadium = Jordan-Hare Stadium
site_cityst = Auburn, AL
gamename =
tv = PPV
score = 25–22
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 18
time = 6:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Kentucky
opprank =
site_stadium = Commonwealth Stadium
site_cityst = Lexington, KY
gamename =
tv = ESPNU
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 25
time =
w/l =
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Ole Miss
opprank =
site_stadium = Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR
gamename =
tv =
score =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 1
time = 1:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf = yes
homecoming = yes
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Tulsa
opprank =
site_stadium = Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 8
time =
w/l =
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = South Carolina
opprank =
site_stadium = Williams-Brice Stadium
site_cityst = Columbia, SC
gamename =
tv =
score =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 22
time =
w/l =
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Mississippi State
opprank =
site_stadium = Davis Wade Stadium
site_cityst = Starkville, MS
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 28
time = 1:30 pm
w/l =
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = LSU
opprank =
site_stadium = War Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Little Rock, AR
gamename = Battle for the Boot
tv = CBS
score =
overtime =
attend =

Rankings

valign="top"

Passing

pecial teams

ee also

*2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
*Arkansas Razorbacks
*Arkansas Razorbacks football
*Southeastern Conference

Footnotes

*note label|Note1|a|anote label|Note2|b|bnote label|Note3|c|cThe University of Arkansas officially play one home game at War Memorial Stadium despite playing there two times. Under the agreement with the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the game at Little Rock, Arkansas against the Warhawks would be considered a home game for the Warhawks and the attendanace count was used for their figures. [cite news|url=http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/227700/ |title=Tulsa will play UA, cash $850,000 check |author=Murphy, Tom |date=2008-06-04 |accessdate=2008-09-07 |work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northeast Edition |publisher=WholeHogSports]

References