Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors on the team “coaching itself” after blowing out the Golden Hurricane at Bud Walton Arena to improve record to 9-1 on season.
Gaulden, Tolefree after Razorbacks’ blow out Tulsa on Wednesday night
Arkansas players A’Tyanna Gaulden (14 points, 4 assists) and Alexis Tolefree (20 points, 6-of-10 on 3-pointers) after a 50-point win over the Golden Hurricane.
???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Chad Morris is the new OC at Auburn
Phil & Tye on Chad Morris heading to Auburn, Clay Henry on Sam Pittman, plus some Hog news!
Razorbacks ranked in first swimming-diving poll after Mizzou Invitational
Fayetteville — Arkansas swimming landed in the Top 30 of the latest CSCAA/TYR poll, checking in at 26th in the nation heading into 2020.
The Hogs earned the spot inside the Top 30 with their stellar performances at the three-day Mizzou Invite in late November.
Anna Hopkin broke six records and posted the fastest 200 free in the nation along with the fifth-best performance in split history in the 200-medley relay.
Peyton Palsha set a new personal best in the 400 IM with the fourth-fastest time in the nation, and sophomore Molly Moore came in fifth in the 100 back, clocking a lifetime best of 54.14.
Arkansas finishes the calendar year with a total of 40 lifetime bests, and multiple NCAA ‘A’ and ‘B’ cuts.
The Razorbacks return to action at the Tennessee Diving Invite Jan. 3.
Gymbacks ranked No. 19 in preseason poll by WCGA; 14th straight year in Top 20
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas gymnastics will begin the year ranked 19th by the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA), as the organization released its preseason poll less than a month from the start of the 2019 season.
It marks the 14th consecutive year the Gymbacks have been ranked in the top 20 in the debut rankings. Last season, Arkansas started the year at No. 12 and climbed as high as 10th in the WCGA poll.
Fifteen student-athletes represent this year’s Arkansas gymnastics squad, including junior Sophia Carter and senior Hailey Garner, who competed at the NCAA Championships last year on floor and beam, respectively.
It is the first season under head coach and Olympic & World Champion Jordyn Wieber and her staff of Chris Brooks and Catelyn Orel.
Arkansas will host five teams at Barnhill Arena over the course of the 2020 season, beginning with Denver on Friday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m.
The Gymbacks will also square off with Kentucky (Jan. 24), Georgia (Feb. 7), Auburn (Feb. 21) and Penn State (March 13) as part of their home slate.
The Gymbacks kick off their 2020 season on Friday, Jan. 10, at Florida, with the home opener slated for the following weekend against Denver in Barnhill Arena.
Hogs’ McFadden officially inducted into College Hall of Fame
FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame class of 2019 on Tuesday night in a ceremony in New York City.
McFadden is the 20th Razorback to earn a spot in the illustrious Hall and the 10th player to receive the accolade, including the first inductee chosen for his University of Arkansas playing career since Ronnie Caveness in 2010.
“Growing up in Arkansas, my dream was to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks,” McFadden said. “To be able to do that and now to be recognized with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame is something I couldn’t have imagined.
“I’m so grateful to my family, Coach Houston Nutt and my many other coaches, Dean Weber, my teammates and everyone in the Razorback Nation for supporting me throughout my collegiate and professional career.
“When I look at the others who have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, including many from the University of Arkansas, I am truly honored and humbled to be included in such a distinguished group.”
One of the most decorated players in Arkansas history and a two-time runner up for the Heisman Trophy, McFadden was the 2007 Player of the Year by the Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News.
He racked up 25 first-team All-America honors (six Freshman All-American selections), won the Doak Walker Award twice and is a two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He is the only Razorback in program history to win multiple national awards in his career.
McFadden ranks second on the SEC career rushing list with 4,590 yards and averaged 120.8 yards per game during his three-year career, third-best in league history.
He rushed for 100 yards or more a school-record 22 times, and is one of only three players in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. His 321 yards vs. South Carolina in 2007 remains tied for the SEC record for rushing yards in a game.
He capped his Arkansas campaign with 41 rushing touchdowns, good for second-most in school history.
After his collegiate career, McFadden was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He played 10 seasons in the NFL for the Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys.
Last year, he was named to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and was honored as an SEC Legend during the 2018 SEC Championship game.
McFadden and the other inductees in the 2019 class will be recognized at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 10, 2019, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City.
Other members of the 2019 class include: Terrell Buckley, Rickey Dixon, Dennis Erickson, London Fletcher, Jacob Green, Torry Holt, Raghib Ismail, Jake Plummer, Troy Polamalu, Joe Taylor, Joe Thomas, Lorenzo White, Patrick Willis and Vince Young.
Razorbacks in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame
2019 – Darren McFadden (RB)
2017 – Danny Ford (HC)
2012 – Jimmy Johnson (DL/AC)
2010 – Ronnie Caveness (LB)
2008 – Lou Holtz (HC)
2004 – Wayne Harris (LB)
2004 – Tracy Rocker (AC)
2003 – Doug Dickey (AC)
2003 – Hayden Fry (AC)
2001 – Barry Switzer (AC)
2000 – Billy Ray Smith Jr. (LB)
1999 – Chuck Dicus (WR)
1997 – Bowden Wyatt (HC)
1992 – Loyd Phillips (DL)
1987 – Johnny Majors (AC)
1984 – Lance Alworth (WR)
1983 – Frank Broyles (HC)
1971 – Clyde Scott (RB/DB)
1967 – Wear Schoonover (WR)
1954 – Hugo Bezdek (HC)
???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Pittman/Yurachek comments plus Nikki Chavanelle
Phil & Tye react to Sam Pittman and Hunter Yurachek’s press conference, plus Nikki Chavanelle!
Malzahn hiring Morris as offensive coordinator one way to land QB
Gus Malzahn’s hiring of former Arkansas coach Chad Morris is one way Auburn can land a four-star quarterback.
Morris, who went 4-18 with the Razorbacks before getting fired with two games left in his second season, will be replacing Kenny Dillingham, who left to join Mike Norvell’s first staff at Florida State.
Morris was on Auburn’s campus with his son, Chandler, during the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30.
Chandler Morris is a 4-star quarterback prospect in the class of 2020, and is considering Auburn, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and others. He was previously committed to Arkansas before his father was fired in November.
Chad Morris had said before Chandler committed to the Hogs “he’s the only recruit that I can buy a car for him and his mother.”
Relax, it’s within the rules. Quite frankly if there are any other potential coaches with kids that are four-star recruits, newly-hired Hogs’ coach Sam Pittman should lock them down right now.
They have been close friends since their days coaching high school football (Morris in Texas and Malzahn in Arkansas). Morris adopted and adapted Malzahn’s offense in 2004 after the two met and shared ideas for nearly a week at Springdale High in Arkansas.
One thing it will do is likely mitigate some of Arkansas’ buyout to Morris. The last time he was a coordinator he was pulling down $1.3 million a year at Clemson. Considering that school is pretty much Auburn with a lake, the Tigers may be a little above that which could reduce the $2.45 million a year buyout he’s getting here.
But he will likely more than former coach Bret Bielema claims to be making coaching the defensive line for the New England Patriots.
Razorbacks’ Burks named to SEC’s second team as return specialist
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ Treylon Burks has been named to the 2019 All-SEC second team as a return specialist by the conference’s coaches.
It is the first return specialist award for the Razorbacks since De’Vion Warren in 2017 (All-Freshman Team) and Burks is the first to earn the honor as a first or second team designee since Joe Adams landed on the first team as a wide receiver and punt returner in 2011.
Burks, a freshman from Warren, Arkansas, saw action on both kickoff and punt returns this season, totaling 22 between the two. He returned 10 kickoffs for 226 yards, averaging 22.6 per play, while returning 12 punts for 130 yards for a clip of 10.8 per return.
He ranked sixth in the conference this season in kickoff return yards per game at 20.5 and eighth in punt return yards per game at 11.8. His top return game came against Mississippi State on Nov. 2, totaling 134 kick return yards, which were the most by a Razorback since 2017.
On top of his prowess in the return game, Burks also made an impact on offense, leading Arkansas in receiving yards with 475 on 29 receptions for a team-best 16.4 yards per catch.
He led all SEC freshmen during the regular season in yards per game (43.2) and receptions per game (2.6).
2019 Postseason Honors
Treylon Burks — Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team (Honorable Mention)
Treylon Burks — Coaches All-SEC Return Specialist (Second Team)
De’Jon Harris — Associated Press All-SEC (Second Team)
Trey Knox — Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team (Honorable Mention)
Ricky Stromberg — Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team (Third Team)
