Arkansas Named Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Following a 27-10 upset of No. 2 and undefeated Auburn last weekend, Arkansas has been named the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week. The Razorbacks were chosen by pollsters of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll as the top team performer for games of the weekend of Oct. 7.

Other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week nominees for last weekend included California (5-1) after a 45-24 win over Oregon and Florida (6-0) following a 23-10 win over LSU.

“It is nice for our entire team to be recognized for our victory at Auburn, because it was truly a team effort,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt. “We had players step up on offense, defense and special teams to make contributions to one of the biggest road wins in recent history. Our coordinators and assistant coaches certainly deserve a lot of credit as well for their part in the victory. While we have enjoyed the win and all of the attention it has created, we have gone back to work and are focused on continuing to improve and preparing for this weekend’s game against Southeast Missouri State.”

This week’s national team award marks the second time Arkansas has captured the honor since it was launched in 2002. The Razorbacks were recognized following their 38-28 win at No. 5 Texas in 2003.

The 16 pollsters of the Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll decide the weekly honor. Each Monday during the 2006 college football season, the FWAA will name the Tostitos Bowl National Team of the Week through Nov. 27.

The top-ranked team in the final Super 16 Poll will be awarded the Grantland Rice Trophy as the FWAA’s national champion. The FWAA has awarded the trophy each season since 1954. Texas is the defending FWAA national champion. Arkansas earned the Grantland Rice Trophy and a national championship in 1964.

For more information on the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, go to footballwriters .com or fiestabowl.org.