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Hogs’ season ends in double overtime at Virginia Tech

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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CARY, N.C. — Arkansas had to battle through an aggressive match into overtime with Virginia Tech Friday afternoon in its second-round match of the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, it was the Hokies that found the golden goal in the 107th minute, ending Arkansas’ season with a 1-0 defeat in double-overtime.

Virginia Tech’s goal came in the second overtime period with four minutes left until both teams would decide with penalty kicks. The Hokies were granted their fifth corner kick of the match and Jordan Hemmen attempted a header in the middle, sending it in at the far post.

“I thought we created enough chances to win,” Arkansas coach Colby Hale said. “Virginia Tech was incredibly direct. It’s a testament to our press and players. Soccer can be cruel. It was a good season and another step forward for this program.

“I’m gutted for this group of players and this senior class. I wanted it for them. They have been courageous in helping us build this to national prominence. They will be missed, but their legacy will last forever.”

Junior Stefani Doyle and sophomore Taylor Malham were the main offensive weapons for the Razorbacks, contributing to 85 percent of Arkansas’ shots being on target. Malham and Doyle came into Friday’s match with six and three goals on the year, respectively.

Doyle led all Razorbacks with five shots in the match, four finding the frame in 104 minutes. Kayla McKeon, Haley VanFossen and Taylor Malham each added two shots of their own.

Arkansas also won the corners game, 9-5, four coming in the second half.

Some of the Razorbacks’ best chances to break the scoreless tie came off corners, including a 96th minute chance by Doyle in the left portion of the box, but Virginia Tech’s keeper Mandy McGlynn made one of her nine saves of the match.

The Razorbacks’ season was successful, once again, reaching its third-straight SEC Tournament final and third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance in Hale’s seventh year at the helm.

Arkansas also unseated No. 2 Texas A&M earlier in the season, earning its first win over the Aggies since 1993. The win also was the fifth result over a top-10 team since 2016, which is more than any other SEC team in that time frame.

For only the second time in school history, Arkansas won 10 games at Razorback Field, but this year marked the first time in school history that the team went unbeaten at home (10-0-1). The 10 wins matches the win total from 2016, which was a school record.

???? Friday Halftime Pod — featuring Jerod Morris

Tye Richardson
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Phil & Tye discuss Wes Johnson leaving for the Twins, FOMO Friday, plus Jerod Morris of Assembly Call!

No one expecting Razorbacks to down Bulldogs as season winds down

Andy Hodges
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The football season that has turned into a nightmare for many Arkansas fans is coming to a conclusion and finding anyone looking for a win in Starkville on Saturday is difficult.

In the modern era that I define from 1970 forward, this is easily the worst season in program history. We’re not going to go into all the of the how’s, why’s and whatever … we have an entire offseason for that.

You get the feeling Chad Morris didn’t think coming in it was going to be like this in his first season. In my view, a lot of people didn’t realize the lack of buy-in from some players who waited until the season started to play a couple of games before quitting.

No, this team should not have lost to Colorado State, North Texas, Ole Miss or Vanderbilt. Those are the four games that baffled me. From watching Morris’ body language and his tone, he was, at times, everywhere from baffled to downright ticked off.

Win those four games and we’re sitting here at 6-4 and the mood is different. Consider they were within a touchdown of LSU and Texas A&M and, well, the fan base would be downright giddy right now.

But they didn’t win any of those, which leaves things right where they are.

As coaches have said over the years, you are what you are and this team is what it is.

They still have a shot at getting some positive momentum for 2019. For fans that may mean getting a win. It could mean, simply, steps forward in a season that hopefully will be viewed as the bottoming out of one era and the beginning of another.

The biggest problem is we won’t know that until we’re looking in the rearview mirror a few years down the road. Hindsight is usually 20-20.

Coaches have done their best to focus on the next game and only that each week since the wheels fell off. That’s what they always say they’re doing. They know the schedule, though.

Before Arkansas came into the SEC in 1992, the Hogs never met the Bulldogs. They did play the Aggies once (1916) and the Maroons (1939), losing both times. When the Mississippi legislature changed the nickname to Bulldogs in 1960, the two teams didn’t meet until 1992.

And it took the Hogs four years before getting a win. After that, Arkansas was 12-1 against State before Bobby Petrino lost in 2008, getting out-coached by Sylvester Croom and Woody McCorvey (nobody saw that coming).

The Razorbacks won four in a row before losing five of the next six. Bret Bielema found creative ways to loss to Dan Mullen’s teams, including having a chipshot field goal blocked (2015) and in overtime in 2013, 24-17 in a precursor of what was coming.

Now the Hogs are struggling through a two-win season while Mississippi State is sitting at a disappointing 6-4. Their fans were hoping for more this year with a new coach in Joe Moorhead, who is battling some of the same problems Morris is at Arkansas.

Moorhead’s offense is a passing offense. Nick Fitzgerald is the best running quarterback in the history of the SEC, but not that great as a passer. The result is an offense that was stymied by Kentucky and Florida.

They’ve gotten to 6-4 mainly with a defense that is the best in the league in some respects. They only allowed 20 points or more twice … to Kentucky and Alabama.

Exactly how the Hogs will generate any offense is maybe the best storyline to this game.

This game may be ugly if offense is your thing.

Mississippi State 13, Arkansas 9

With two weeks left in our picks contest, Peter Morgan is going to have to hope for a couple of wild weekends with upsets running rampant. My record is 69-14 while Peter is seven back at 62-21.

Easy Pickings

These games likely won’t be close: Alabama over The Citadel, Florida over Idaho, Kentucky over Middle Tennessee, Georgia over UMass, Auburn over Liberty, Texas A&M over Alabama-Birmingham, LSU over Rice and South Carolina over Chattanooga.

Any upsets in these games will be front-page news.

-6.5 Missouri at Tennessee

Jeremy Pruitt is actually having more success than a lot of first-year coaches and got a big win over Kentucky last week (although Georgia probably managed to beat the Wildcats twice).

The Tigers beat Florida on the road two weeks ago, then had to put together a comeback for the ages last week against Vanderbilt to get a win.

They may not need a comeback this week.

Missouri 31, Tennessee 24

Ole Miss at -3 Vanderbilt

In betting lines, the home team usually gets three points, so effectively this a pick ’em game in Nashville.

The Rebels are able to score points, but the defense usually rises to the occasion and allows as many as they can score.

The Commodores have a running game again, which could keep Ole Miss’ defense on the bench more than it wants to be. That tends to cause the Rebels to panic a little and leads to problems.

Going out on a limb and trying to help Peter out a little in the hole he’s in, I think the Rebels can figure out a way to win this one.

Ole Miss 42, Vanderbilt 38

Hogs, Hoosiers in same boat after firing longtime Hall of Fame coaches

Nate Olson
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Arkansas and Indiana are meeting on the basketball court two decades too late.

Can you imagine former Hoosiers coach Bobby Knight invading Bud Walton Arena to tangle with former Hogs coach Nolan Richardson at Barnhill Arena in 1990 during the Hogs’ Final Four season or at Bud Walton Arena in 1995 as the Hogs were defending national champions?

Talk about epic.

I wonder what the over-under on technical fouls would have been. Somehow the tradition-rich programs never met during their heydays. In fact, Sunday’s meeting with the Hoosiers is just the third all-time and the first in Fayetteville.

Arkansas lost at Indiana in 1949. The Hogs beat the Hoosiers in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Neither team is ranked in the Top 25 entering Sunday’s game. Arkansas hasn’t advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 since 1996. Its lone national title came in 1994 with a loss to UCLA in the 1995 title game.

Indiana has had slightly better recent success reaching the 2002 NCAA National Championship game under former coach Mike Davis, and earning Sweet 16 bids under former coach Tom Crean in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Knight guided the 1976 Hoosiers to an undefeated title in 1976 and added two more in 1981 and 1987, respectively. Knight’s final Final Four appearance came in 1991.

The tale of the two programs is very similar. Each has struggled to regain prominence following the end of two legendary coaches who were fired amid controversy close to the same time in the early 2000s.

Davis Led Indiana to an improbable Final Four run in 2002 in his second season succeeding Knight, but he lasted just three more seasons before he was fired in favor of Kelvin Sampson.

Sampson enjoyed two successful seasons in Bloomington but was forced to resign after two seasons amid NCAA violations.

Marquette’s Crean took over before the 2008-09 season and endured four straight losing seasons. The Hoosiers finished 29-7 in 2012-13 and 27-8 in 2015-16, but IU fired Crean after an 18-16 finish two seasons ago.

Former Dayton Coach Archie Miller is in his second season at IU after finishing 16-15 last year.

Indiana’s coaching carousel following Knight is all-too-familiar to Hog fans. I don’t have to review the gory details of the Stan Heath and John Pelphrey Eras or the one-day tenure of Dana Altman.

Current Hogs coach Mike Anderson is 70-54 in his eighth season. He’s done just enough to keep his seat from heating but not enough to satisfy fans who long for the days when he sat next to his former boss, Richardson.

Few marquee wins, lost big-time recruits and three NCAA Tournament appearances never advancing past the second round. It’s not what former Hogs AD Jeff Long expected when he plucked Anderson from Missouri where he had enjoyed success.

And that brings us to Sunday’s game. While this may not be a marquee win for either team, it could help boost a resume in March. Indiana already has momentum starting the season 3-0, including a 96-73 blowout win against No. 24-ranked Marquette.

Arkansas lost in overtime to Texas at Fort Bliss, Texas, and routed UC-Davis Monday at home. A win at Bud Walton Arena may push the Hoosiers closer to a Top 25 ranking which would be big for Miller as he tries to move the program back to prominence.

Anderson is still trying to get a feel for his team whose only returning contributors form last season are sophomore superstar Daniel Gafford and junior Adrio Bailey. He’s less concerned about the nonconference than he is getting prepared for the Southeastern Conference slate which is all of a sudden rugged with revitalization of Auburn and Tennessee to go along with perennial power Kentucky.

However, if Arkansas wins this game, it could run through the rest of the nonconference unscathed with home tilts with mid-major UT-Arlington and ACC member Georgia Tech as the biggest threats to that run. A successful nonconference may increase the young, athletic team’s confidence.

Richardson may be in the building Sunday supporting his former pupil but Knight will not, and we can only dream of what might have been if the two had squared off when their programs were relevant and in their prime. Maybe by the time the two teams meet next season in Bloomington they will at least both be ranked in the Top 25.

Louisiana offensive tackle talks about commitment to Arkansas

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, University Lab High School three-star offensive tackle Dylan Rathcke recapped his decision with me to commit to Arkansas.

“Everything was perfect at Arkansas,” Rathcke said. “The facilities are amazing and the staff was the best ever. From the first day we arrived everything was so organized. I knew that this was the program that could develop me as a player and a person.”

Here’s the topics we discussed:

His relationship with the Arkansas coaching staff: “I think the thing I like the most about the staff was how down to earth they are. Everyone truly seemed happy to be there and it just felt like a big family. They all worked together so well.”

How Arkansas is different from the rest of the schools: “All the programs are great. What made the difference with Arkansas was myself and my entire family connected with the staff.”

About his skill sets that he is bringing to Arkansas: “I believe I will bring an athletic, fast-twitch, style of blocking. Plus handle the run game.”

On his official visit to Arkansas: “I will officially visit Arkansas in December after the playoffs. I have to look at my exam schedule.”

His relationship with Arkansas offensive line coach Dustin Fry: “I really enjoyed coach Fry. I’m excited to work with him.”

His thoughts on the newly-renovated Reynolds Razorback Stadium: “The stadium is absolutely amazing. I loved how modern it was.”

What he likes most about Arkansas: “The scenery is beautiful in Arkansas. I can’t wait to go fishing.”

Arkansas coaches’ reaction on the commitment: “I think I really shocked them. I had just gotten back from Kentucky. I don’t thing they thought I would do it before my official. I called coach Dustin and coach Morris Tuesday night and told them I was ready to commit and they both were excited.”

Rathcke has 12 offers from schools such as Arkansas, Arkansas State, Colorado State, and Kentucky.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

Tye Richardson
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

John & Tommy are joined by Tyler Wilson to discuss Fenceman picks, interview Raymond House, Wes Johnson to the Twins, and more!

Hogs’ Froholdt named to Google Cloud All-District first team

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ Hjalte Froholdt has been named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District First Team in district six, which is selected by College Sports Information Directors of America.

It marks back-to-back years the offensive lineman from Svendborg, Denmark, has picked up the all-district accolade, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.

Froholdt’s district includes players from Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota & Wisconsin.

Froholdt, a senior studying applied exercise science, has started every game this season and each of the last 35 games dating back to the start of 2016. He was also named a team captain during week five of the 2018 campaign after a team vote.

As the anchor of the offensive line, Froholdt has played a total of 674 snaps this year, leading the team in every contest. He’s helped the Razorback offense to 3,622 yards of total offense, including 1,600 rushing yards, to go with 28 touchdowns in 2018. He has allowed just three sacks in over 1,200 pass protection snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

It’s the fifth academic award Froholdt has accumulated over his collegiate career, earning SEC Academic Honor Roll honors in 2015-17.

First-team Academic All-District winners advance to the Google Cloud Academic All-America ballot, with first- and second-team members announced in early December.

Anderson on Indiana game, Hill signing, ’94 championship

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson talked with the media Thursday about Sunday’s game with Indiana, the signing of Justice Hill and the upcoming celebration of the 1994 national title team.

Gafford, Harris talk about Sunday afternoon matchup with Indiana

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas players Daniel Gafford and Jalen Harris talked with the media Thursday afternoon about the upcoming game against the Hoosiers and what they expect.

UA’s board approves new Razorbacks facilities for track, baseball

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees approved the construction of three athletic related capital projects for Razorbacks athletics.

The new facilities include:

• A Track and Field High Performance Center at John McDonnell Field

• A renovation and expansion of the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center

• A Baseball Performance Center at Baum Stadium, as part of the agenda of their regularly scheduled meeting held Thursday in Fort Smith.

The Board also approved the selection of architect/engineer design and construction manager/general contractor teams for the facilities.

The projects will be funded entirely by athletic revenues, gifts, and bond proceeds from a future bond issue.

No university funds will be required to complete the projects. Fundraising for all three projects is ongoing and the Razorback Foundation is close to solidifying lead gifts for each of the facilities.

“As we continue to focus on student-athlete success, we are pleased to be moving forward on three important projects to further support student-athletes in some of the most successful sports programs at the University of Arkansas,” athletics director Hunter Yurachek said. “Our baseball and men’s and women’s track and field programs consistently compete for SEC and national championships and we want to provide our student-athletes the resources they need to succeed.

“We are appreciative of the support of our Board of Trustees, President Don Bobbitt and Chancellor Joe Steinmetz on these projects and the continued pursuit of our vision To Be the Best.”

The approximately 20,000 square foot Track and Field High Performance Center will be constructed just south of the track at John McDonnell Field.

Based on the feasibility study, the total project cost of the facility is currently estimated at $8-$10 million.

Hufft (Bentonville) will work with AECOM (Kansas City, Missouri) on the design of the facility. Flintco (Springdale and Tulsa, Oklahoma) will be the construction manager and general contractor on the Track Performance Center.

The Randal Tyson Track Center will undergo an extensive renovation and expansion. The total project cost of the Randal Tyson Track Center Renovation and Expansion is currently estimated at $15-20 million.

Polk Stanley Wilcox (Fayetteville and Little Rock) and Populous (Kansas City, Missouri) will lead the design team on the Randal Tyson Track Center Renovation and Expansion while CDI Constructors LLC (Fayetteville and Little Rock) will serve as the general contractor.

A new, approximately 40,000+ square foot, Baseball Performance Center will be built beyond the right field wall on the southwest corner of Baum Stadium.

The total project cost of the Baseball Performance Center is currently estimated at $20-25 million.

WER (Fayetteville and Little Rock) and HKS (Dallas, Texas) will lead the design team on the baseball clubhouse project while Kinco Constructors (Springdale and Little Rock) will serve as the general contractor.

Hill makes it official, signing basketball letter with Razorbacks

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson announced Justice Hill has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Razorbacks.

“Obviously, we are very excited to have Justice join our family,” Anderson said. “He committed to us as a freshman and has continued to grow both as a player and a person. He is an excellent student and athlete who comes from an outstanding family.

“Justice possesses good court vision, has really good basketball instincts and is athletic. He will be a perfect fit for our ‘FASTEST40’ style of play.”

Justice Hill
5-11, 170, G
Little Rock, Ark. (Little Rock Christian Academy)

• Rated the #3 overall prospect in Arkansas and #36-best point guard in the nation by 247Sports.com … Also a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, which has him as the 48th-best point guard in the nation.

• Named to the 2018 5A All-State basketball team as a junior as he averaged 19.5 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds … As a sophomore, averaged 15 points, four rebounds, three assist and two steals.

• Played summer ball with the Arkansas Hawks, teaming with current Razorbacks Isaiah Joe, Desi Sills and Ethan Henderson.

• Son of Dr. Fitz Hill, who was an assistant football coach at Arkansas under Jack Crowe, Danny Ford and Houston Nutt from 1992-2000 and went on to be the head coach at San Jose State (2001-04).

• Has been committed to Arkansas since his freshman year of high school.

• A standout quarterback for the Little Rock Christian football team and received several FBS football scholarship offers as well … To date this season, has passed for 2,102 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his passes …. Rushed for 755 yards and 16 touchdowns for the 10-1 Warriors as they prepare to meet Texarkana in the Class 5A quarterfinals.

• Finished second in the 2018 5A state championship in the high jump (6-2) and placed fifth at the state meet in the long jump (21-1.75).

• High school head coach is Clarence Finley … Arkansas Hawks AAU coach is Bill Ingram.

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