Anderson gets analyst role with Northwestern

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Former Arkansas offensive line coach Kurt Anderson has found a new job in the Big Ten, per a report.

Anderson, a Chicago native, will serve in an off-the-field role as a quality control analyst on Pat Fitzgerald’s staff at Northwestern, FootballScoop reports. He served as Bret Bielema’s offensive line coach at Arkansas for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Anderson has Big Ten roots dating back to his playing career. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention at Michigan in 2001 as the Wolverines’ starting center and served as a graduate assistant at the school from 2006-07.

Most recently, Anderson was the offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2013-15 under then-head coach Rex Ryan.

Here is a look at where Bielema’s assistants at Arkansas have landed since his dismissal:

• Dan Enos — QB coach, Alabama
• Paul Rhoads — DB coach, UCLA
• Vernon Hargreaves Jr. — LB coach, Missouri
• Michael Smith — WR coach, Kentucky
• Reggie Mitchell — RB coach, UTEP
• Kurt Anderson — QC coach, Northwestern

Report: New contract, Baum improvements for Van Horn

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Based on a report from Matt Jones at WholeHogSports.com, Dave Van Horn will likely be getting a new contract and Baum Stadium will see some changes in the near future.

According to the story, preliminary building plans are for an estimated 35,000 to 40,000-square foot facility that would include a new team clubhouse, new weight room and new coaches’ offices.

It would also include a locker area for pro players who train at the UA in the off-season and a museum area to house Arkansas’ baseball trophies, which is growing at a rapid clip under Van Horn.

Athletics director Hunter Yurachek said the multi-story facility, which might be known as the Baseball Performance Center, would likely be located beyond the outfield wall in right field, on the southwest side of the stadium grounds.

The estimated price would be $15-20 million and if all goes well it could be constructed sometime in 2020.

There are more changes that would even include the Hogs possibly switching to the first base dugout to connect with the proposed facility on the southwest side of the stadium.

In addition, they are looking at adding additional luxury suites, which reportedly Razorback Foundation head Scott Varady says has a waiting list of 43 people.

Another story by Jones at WholeHogSports.com said Yurachek is also looking at extending Van Horn’s existing contract, which is for $775,000 a year, but with over $100,000 in bonuses just this year, along with two months salary as a bonus for reaching the College World Series will put him around $1 million for this season.

No one wants Van Horn going anywhere.

“I like to reward coaches for success and have that built into their contract,” Yurachek said. “A five-year contract may become a seven- or eight-year contract if you hit certain benchmarks that automatically roll your contract over.”

The story also mentioned Yurachek being “pretty close” to getting a new deal finalized with softball coach Courtney Deifel, who took the Hogs to their first Super Regional this past season.

Hogs, ’Horns renew rivalry Sunday at CWS in Omaha

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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OMAHA, Neb. — Arkansas opens its ninth College World Series in program history on Sunday when it takes on former Southwest Conference rival Texas in its opener at 1 p.m. in TD Ameritrade Park.

ESPN will carry the game and the winner will face either top-seed Florida or nine-seed Texas Tech on Tuesday.

Matchup: No. 5 Arkansas vs. No. 15 Texas
TV: ESPN • WatchESPNApp
Talent: Karl Ravech (PXP), Kyle Peterson (Analyst), Eduardo Perez (Analyst), Laura Rutledge (Reporter)
Radio: Razorback Sports Network from IMG
Probable Starters for Game One: (ARK) RHP Blaine Knight (12-0) vs. (TEX) RHP Nolan Kingham (8-4)

After locking up the top-eight seed for the NCAA Tournament, the Razorbacks were able to stay home through the regionals and super regionals, winning five of six games by a combined score of 52-22.

Having the home field advantage was also a major key to the Hogs’ success as more than 10,000 fans filled up Baum Stadium during each of Arkansas’ postseason games, including 11,000 or more during the Super Regionals.

Last week, Arkansas and South Carolina faced off for the seventh time this year when the two teams played game three of the Fayetteville Super Regional. It was the most times Arkansas has faced a team in one season in program history.

The Razorbacks slugged their way to Omaha, beating the Gamecocks, 14-4, for its second-largest victory ever in a Super Regional game.

Senior Carson Shaddy hit his third home run of the NCAA Tournament as part of a five-run first inning and was one of 11 hits in the game.

Shaddy has been, arguably, Arkansas’ best hitter coming into the College World Series, hitting .341 for the year with a team-leading .653 slugging percentage.

Last week, Shaddy led all hitters, going 5-for-10 (.500) at the plate with two home runs, a double, and nine RBIs.

PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

DVH By The Numbers

For the seventh time in his coaching career and fifth time in his Arkansas tenure, head coach Dave Van Horn is back in Omaha.

The Razorbacks are 4-8 in the College World Series games under Van Horn. The skipper picked up his 600th win at Arkansas in a 5-2 win over San Diego State on Feb. 25 and currently has 1,224 career wins in his 30-year career.

Over his 16 seasons at Arkansas, DVH has led the Razorbacks to five College World Series appearances, six Super Regionals, 15 NCAA Tournament berths, one SEC overall title, four SEC Western Division championships and a total of 639 wins.

Hogs pitcher Blaine Knight lets fly with a pitch in the first inning against Auburn. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Sunday’s Probable Starter – RHP Blaine Knight

Junior right-hander Blaine Knight will, once again, get the ball, for the Hogs as he has been the dominant pitcher throughout the regular season and into the postseason.

Knight, who was named a First Team All-American by D1Baseball.com and the National College Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) earlier this week, carries a perfect 12-0 record into Omaha and needs one more to tie the program record for wins a season.

Knight has worked six innings or more in each of his last seven outings and has picked up the decision in six of those games.

Hello, Old Friend

Going into the College World Series, Arkansas has faced the eight-team field 10 times in the regular season, seven coming in its own bracket alone.

The Razorbacks swept a midweek series against Texas in March by a combined score of 20-9 and hitting a combined .359. Against Florida, split its four regular-season games with one game occurring in the SEC Tournament.

Finally, against Texas Tech, Arkansas had its two-game midweek series cut down to one game due to weather, but the Hogs struck out the Red Raiders 17 times in the 5-1 victory on April 24.

RAZORBACK PRIME 9

• Arkansas has played in the NCAA Tournament in 15 of the last 16 years, reaching the College World Series five times during that span (2004, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018).

• This year marks the ninth time Arkansas has advanced to the College World Series in program history and fifth time under head coach Dave Van Horn. Arkansas has made CWS appearances in 1979, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2015, and now 2018.

• The Razorbacks look to top the program-best National Runner-up finish in 1979. Since the title game appearance, Arkansas has never won more than two games during a trip to Omaha.

• Arkansas is slated to face Texas (42-21) in its opening contest. The Razorbacks also join Florida (47-19) and Texas Tech (44-18) in their half of the College World Series bracket.

• Arkansas is 79-64 (.552) all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including 15 tournament wins in the last five years.

• The Hogs are 7-2 in postseason play this year, going 2-1 in the SEC Tournament, 3-0 in the Fayetteville Regional and 2-1 in the Fayetteville Super Regional.

• Arkansas is 11-16 all-time in the College World Series and 4-4 in CWS openers.

• Arkansas last faced Texas in the College World Series in 2004, falling 13-2 in its opener. It has faced the Longhorns four times in the world series (1979, 1985, 1987, 2004), tying for the most it has faced any other team.

• The Razorbacks won a share of the SEC Western Division title this year by finishing with an 18-12 conference record. It’s Arkansas’ first division title since 2011 and fourth under Dave Van Horn.­­­

Van Horn at NCAA press conference before CWS

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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© Video Copyright NCAA

Complete video of Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn at the NCAA College World Series press conference and all of the coaches on players’ using cell phones.

Chandler Morris receives 2020 offer from Hogs

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Chandler Morris, a junior this year at Highland Park in Dallas, received an offer from Arkansas after the Elite QB/Receivers camp this week.

And, yes, in case you weren’t aware he is the son of new Razorbacks coach Chad Morris.

Chandler Morris on Twitter

Excited to receive an offer from The University of Arkansas! #WPS

Morris, 6-0, 170, was offered by Clemson on June 6. Chad Morris served as Clemson’s offensive coordinator between 2011-14. The younger Morris is also receiving interest from Oklahoma State, Auburn, Colorado and several others.

Chandler Morris spent last season backing up 2018 Arkansas signee John Stephen Jones but is the starter heading into his junior season.

As a sophomore, Morris appeared in four games, completing 10 of 24 passes for 123 yards. He also rushed six times for 86 yards and a touchdown. Highland Park finished 15-1 and won a state championship.

Morris is the second 2020 quarterback offered by Arkansas’ staff in as many days, joining Jacolby Criswell of Morrilton.

According to the 247Sports’ database, Arkansas has now offered seven quarterbacks for the 2020 class and has already received unofficial visits from four of them. Overall, the Hogs have over 100 offers out for the 2020 class, according to 247Sports.

In addition to Morris and Criswell, the offered group consists of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco five-star DJ Uiagalelei; Corona (Calif.) four-star Shane Illingworth; Houston (Texas) Austin four-star Malik Hornsby; Austin (Texas) Lake Travis four-star and Texas commitment Hudson Card; and Calabasas (Calif.) three-star Jaden Casey.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

Barkley announces intentions to leave Hogs’ football team

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Running back Maleek Barkley has become the latest Arkansas football player to leave the program.

The Austin, Texas, native from Lake Travis High School sat out last season as a freshman redshirt receiver.

After moving to running back in the spring, he was running behind Devwah Whaley, T.J. Hammonds, Chase Hayden, Maleek Williams and Kendrick Jackson. With junior college signee Rakeem Boyd in the picture, Barkley made the decision to go somewhere else.

Barkley was part of a 2017 Razorback recruiting class that ranked 27th nationally and 10th in the SEC by 247Sports. The former wide receiver was the 10th highest-rated signee Arkansas received that offseason.

Despite being only one year removed from that signing day, the Razorbacks have already lost three of 24 signees from that class.

Linebacker Josh Paul was dismissed from the program following last season, defensive back Korey Hernandez decided to transfer not long after spring practice concluded and Barkley announced his intentions to move elsewhere today.

Cornerback Chevin Calloway, tight end Jeremy Patton, running back Chase Hayden, safety Kam Curl and wide receiver Jonathan Nance from that class are all expecting to see major roles in 2018.

Including Barkley’s departure, the Razorback football program has now had 10 players leave for one reason or another since the end of the 2017 season — Barkley, Jake Hall, Korey Hernandez, Will Gragg, Reid Miller, Zach Rogers, Jake Heinrich, Jack Kraus, Cole Hedlund and Josh Paul.

The move will put Arkansas at 84 scholarship players, one below the allowed NCAA maximum. Even further attrition is expected to happen on Arkansas’ roster between now and the start of next season.

Van Horn as Hogs head to College World Series

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn visited with the media before getting on the bus headed to XNA for the team’s flight to Omaha to play for a national championship.

Shaddy on getting back to College World Series

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks second baseman Carson Shaddy talked about getting back to Omaha and how he’s trying to keep everything on an even keel focused on national title.

Cole on how playing Texas no big deal for him

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas right fielder Eric Cole talked Thursday before leaving for Omaha about how playing the Longhorns isn’t a big deal because not many Texas fans at Southlake where he’s from.

Thompson on how team’s hitting has improved

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas batting coach Nate Thompson talked Thursday as the Razorbacks were preparing to leave for Omaha about players and what they’ve done to improve hitting.

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