Hogs planning return to natural grass for 2019 season

According to a report at WholeHogSports.com, Arkansas will replace its worn artificial surface with grass for the 2019 season at Razorback Stadium.

In the report from Tom Murphy:

Razorbacks Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek said in Hoover, Ala., the decision has been made to install real grass when the 2018 season comes to an end.

The life cycle for the turf was 10 years and it was put in for the 2009 season because then-coach Bobby Petrino wanted it for his offense.

Back in the spring, Chad Morris had made it clear what his preference was.

“Worrying about what the next surface out here looks like is irrelevant to me,” he said on March 3. “I just want to get through a practice and get better today. But I prefer, I’m a natural grass type of guy. I love being on a grass field. There’s nothing better than that in college football, or football period.”

He admitted it was a hint of nostalgia that might be traced back to his high school coaching roots.

“That’s just me,” he said. “Maybe that’s just the high school coach in me.”