Arkansas Travels East Meets With Vols

ARKANSAS TRAVELS EAST, MEETS WITH VOLS: Arkansas will face Tennessee in an SEC match up Saturday, Nov. 10 at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. CT on Lincoln Financial Sports.

NOTING THE RAZORBACKS:

• Arkansas and Tennessee have met 15 times on the gridiron with the Volunteers holding a 12-3 series edge, including a 5-1 advantage in Knoxville. The Hogs last trip to Knoxville resulted in a six-overtime loss, 41-38. Last season, UA captured its first win in the series since 1999 with a commanding 31-14 victory.

• The University of Arkansas honored its legendary former football coach and long-time athletic director at halftime of the South Carolina game by naming the football field Frank Broyles Field. Broyles has spent 50 years building the Arkansas’ athletic program into one of the most respected in the country.

• Arkansas’ Houston Nutt (10 years) and Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer (16 years) are the longest tenured football coaches in the Southeastern Conference.

• The Razorbacks are riding a three-game winning streak and are 5-1 in their last six games. The Hogs’ defense has risen to the occasion during that span, allowing just 14.1 points per game (85 total points) and 306.7 yards per game of total offense. The Arkansas’ offense has been pretty good as well, scoring 42.8 ppg (257) and cranking out 467.5 ypg in total offense.

• Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden is Arkansas’ career rushing leader with 4,074 yards entering Saturday’s game. He passed Ben Cowins (3,570 yards) against Auburn and enters the Tennessee game needing 90 yards to pass Florida’s Errict Rhett (1990-93) for fourth place on the SEC career rushing list and 230 yards to eclipse Auburn’s Bo Jackson (1982-85) for third place.

• McFadden ranks fourth nationally in rushing with 146.0 yards per game. That mark also leads the conference. He is averaging 175.8 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks 13th nationally and tops in the SEC.

• McFadden and Jones’ 487-combined yards last Saturday night against South Carolina set the NCAA record for most yards gained by two players on the same team. McFadden ripped off 321 yards, setting the UA record and tying the SEC mark. Jones set career highs of is own with 166 yards (13 carries) and three touchdowns. The previous mark was 476 held by Kansas’ Tony Sands (396) and Chip Hilleary (80) vs. Missouri, Nov. 23, 1991.

• One of the favorite sayings around the Arkansas football program comes from legendary football coach and athletic director Frank Broyles who says, ‘They Remember in November,’ and that is just what McFadden has proven in his career. The junior has 1,418 yards on 226 in nine November games with 10 touchdowns. That averages out to 157.56 yards per game and 6.27 yards per carry.

• McFadden has also been at his best against the best during his Razorback career, averaging 126.6 yards per game over 15 games against ranked opponents. He has racked up 1,899 yards against ranked opponents with 14 touchdowns and a 5.90 yards per carry average on 322 totes. (see game-by-game chart vs. ranked opponents on page 8).

• McFadden’s performance vs. South Carolina garnered him the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Bowl Subdivision Player of the Week.

• Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is one of four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award. McFadden joins Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, Rice quarterback Chase Clement and East Carolina running back Chris Johnson on the ballot list, which was selected by ESPN based on the players’ outstanding performances during the week. Fans determine the winner by text messaging VOTE to 87654 on their wireless phone.

• McFadden also captured his first SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season, while Mitch Petrus was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

• McFadden is just the second player (Georgia’s Herschel Walker) in the SEC to rush for 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior. McFadden is the second UA player to rush for 1,000 yards three times, joining Ben Cowins (1976-78), but the first to do it in his first three years.

• McFadden also set a new school record for all-purpose yards vs. South Carolina with 355 (321 rushing, 30 on two kickoff returns, four on one reception). He broke his own school record of 315 set vs. South Carolina last season. The 355 all-purpose yards is also the fourth-best mark in SEC history.

• Jones and McFadden are the first teammates in Southeastern Conference history to both rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. They are the third pair of teammate to both rush for 1,000 yards in a season in conference history. The other SEC rushing duos to both go for 1,000 yards in a season are Auburn’s James Brooks and Joe Cribbs (1979), and Tennessee’s Gerald Riggs Jr. and Cedric Houston (2004).

• McFadden and Jones are just the second pair of teammates in NCAA history to have back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. (Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney – Minnesota).

• McFadden’s school-rushing record of 4,074 yards also ranks fourth in career rushing among active Bowl Subdivision players. He also leads all active Bowl Subdivision players in all-purpose yards per game (151.6), while ranking second in rushing yards per game (119.8) and seventh in rushing touchdowns (37).

• Fellow junior Felix Jones ranks 21st nationally and second in the SEC in rushing with 114.33 yards per contest. He has 1,029 yards rushing on the season with 10 touchdowns while accounting for 167.88 all-purpose yards per game (1,343) to rank 14th nationally.

• Jones’ 9.27 yards per carry average leads the country. He is averaging 1.79 yards per rush more than the second-best mark nationally, USC’s Stafon Johnson (7.48). Jones also leads the country in career yards per carry among active players with 7.76 per tote.

• Jones has been lethal on his first carry of game this season with 155 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns and five first downs. He opened the Troy game with a 40-yard tote, went 35 yards for a touchdown on his first carry vs. North Texas and then scampered 38 yards for a TD at Ole Miss. Jones picked up a first down on an 18-yard carry vs. FIU and then got another first down on a 15-yard run vs. South Carolina. He is averaging 17.2 yards per rush on his first carry of the game this season.

• Arkansas’ rushing attack ranks second nationally at 315.89 yards per game. That mark also leads the SEC by 106.9 yards over second-place LSU. UA has led the SEC in rushing four of the last five years. UA has rushed for at least 300 yards in five-of-nine games this season and has rushed for at least 200 yards in 13 of their last 16 games, including eight times this year.

• Arkansas ran for 542 yards, which is the second-best total in school history (594 vs. Pittsburg [Kan.] State in 1936). That total is the sixth-best in SEC history and the most for an SEC team against another SEC member.

• Arkansas senior offensive guard Robert Felton is this week’s SEC Community Service Team Player of the Week and will be featured on this weekend’s telecasts of the Alabama-Miss. State and Arkansas-Tennessee games on Lincoln Financial Sports.

• Marcus Monk made his second-straight start of the season and hauled in his second TD of 2007. It was the 26th of his career, which moves him into a tie for eighth on the career SEC receiving touchdown chart. Monk has now caught at least on pass in 38-of-39 career games after breaking that streak vs. Auburn when he played one snap.

• The Arkansas defense boasts the No. 1 ranked pass efficiency defense (91.18) in the nation. That ranking comes after allowing just 161.7 yards per game passing over the last six weeks. Additionally, Reggie Herring’s defense has allowed just five passing touchdowns and a 41.7 completion percentage. Overall, the Hogs’ defense has allowed just 14.2 points and 306 total yards per game over the last six games.

• The Arkansas offense is on a record-breaking pace through the first nine games of the 2007 season. The Hogs are averaging 41.1 points per game, which is the most in the SEC and ranks eighth nationally. UA is on pace to break the school record of 36.5 points per game set during the 1970 season. The 370 points that the Razorbacks have scored already ranks tied for seventh in school history.

• McFadden and Jones have combined to rush for 100 yards apiece in six of the Hogs’ nine games this season and 10 times in their careers. McFadden has cracked the 100-yard barrier in seven-of-nine games, while Jones has eclipsed 100 yards in six games and just missed a seventh with 96 yards at Alabama.

• McFadden and Jones also rank 13th and 14th respectively, in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision in all-purpose yards. McFadden is averaging 175.8 all-purpose yards per game, while Jones is totaling 174.8 per contest.

• McFadden also broke Arkansas’ career all-purpose yardage record vs. Auburn, passing Gary Anderson (4,535). McFadden now has 5,153 career all-purpose yards, which ranks fifth among active Bowl Subdivision players. Jones is second in career all-purpose yards at Arkansas with 4,683, which ranks ninth among active players.

• Jones has two kickoff returns for touchdowns this season on 90-yard and 82-yard bursts. He ranks seventh nationally in kickoff return average at 31.64 ypr. He currently leads the SEC in career kickoff return average at 28.5 yards per on 54 career returns.

• True freshman PK Alex Tejada is making a big impact early in his Razorback career. Tejada is 14 for 18 on field goal attempts and 44 of 46 on PATs. Tejada is tied for 22nd nationally in field goal made (1.56) and 21st in scoring 9.56 points per game.

• Michael Grant is having an outstanding senior season at cornerback for the Razorbacks. He is tied for fourth in the NCAA with 1.67 passes defended per game. The mark also leads the SEC outright.

• Fellow cornerback Jerell Norton is making a name for himself as well. He has five interceptions and nine pass breakups this season and he isn’t even listed as a starter. The sophomore ranks tied for seventh nationally in interceptions and is tied for 10th in passes defended (1.44). The five interceptions is the most by a Razorback in a single season since Zac Painter had five in 1998.

• The Razorbacks are bowl eligible for the eighth time in 10 years under Houston Nutt after a 48-36 win last weekend over South Carolina.

• Arkansas’ hogs up front on the offensive line have not only done a fantastic job opening holes in the running game, but they have been one of the best teams in the country at protecting the quarterback. The Hogs’ offensive line has allowed just 18 sacks in their last 23 games for an amazing average of just 0.783 per game. UA ranks tied for third nationally in sacks allowed this season (0.89), while Tennessee is second, allowing just (0.33).

• Arkansas ranks No. 1 in rushing offense in the SEC during Houston Nutt’s tenure (1998-2007). The Hogs have averaged 199.14 yards per game in Nutt’s 10-year tenure (23,897 yards in 120 games).

• Arkansas has now scored in 144 consecutive games, a school record for scoring in the most consecutive games in team history. Arkansas has not been shut out since a 28-0 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 18, 1995.

THE McFADDEN REPORT:

• Darren McFadden extended his Arkansas’ career rushing record with a school-record 321 yards vs. South Carolina that included a career-high-tying 80-yard touchdown run. He now has 4,074 yards rushing during his 34-game Razorback career and 37 rushing TDs.

• McFadden has run for 1,314 yards on 222 carries and tallied 12 rushing touchdowns this season. He equaled the school record with five-consecutive 100-yard rushing games (Jerry Eckwood, 1975) and has equaled his school record with seven on the season.

• Darren McFadden’s fourth-quarter 80-yard touchdown run tied his career high and was his longest in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. It matched his 80-yarder vs. LSU last season in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.

• McFadden threw his second touchdown pass of the season and the fifth of his career with a 23-yard strike to Robert Johnson in the third quarter vs. South Carolina. He has completed 2-of-3 passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns this season and is 10-of-14 for his career. McFadden boasts a career passing efficiency rating of 263.2 and a 468.7 this season.

• McFadden has caught 14 passes this season for 97 yards. His three grabs vs. Alabama and FIU tied his career high for receptions in a game. He has 39 catches for 296 yards and a touchdown during his UA career.

• He has accounted for 1,379 yards of total offense and racked up 1,582 all-purpose yards through nine games this season.

• For all of your D-MAC related questions visit his official web site at 5DarrenMcFadden.com.

SERIES HISTORY: Arkansas and Tennessee have met 15 times on the gridiron with the Volunteers holding a 12-3 series edge, including a 5-1 advantage in Knoxville.

The two squads met three times before the Razorbacks joined the league in 1992. Tennessee recorded a win in 1907 before topping the Hogs in the 1971 Liberty Bowl and the 1990 Cotton Bowl.

The Razorbacks won the first meeting in league play as the Hogs shocked the Vols 25-24 in Knoxville in 1992. The Volunteers won the next six straight before Arkansas once again upset Tennessee (28-24) in Fayetteville in 1999. Tennessee won the last three meetings, including 2002’s 41-38 six-overtime decision in Knoxville, before being topped 31-14 in Fayetteville during the 2006 season.

Dickey was one of nearly 250 former UA assistant coaches and players who returned to honor Coach Frank Broyles last weekend in Fayetteville.

RAZORBACK PAST: Former Tennessee head coach and UT athletic director Doug Dickey wears orange these days, but the former football coach once donned the cardinal and white of the Razorbacks. Dickey was an assistant under former UA head coach and current UA athletic director Frank Broyles from 1958-63.

Dickey coached defensive backs at Arkansas from 1958-61 before taking over the offensive backfield in 1962-63. Arkansas posted a combined record of 43-21 (.672) including four bowl appearances during Dickey’s tenure in Fayetteville.

COACHING CONNECTIONS: Arkansas and Tennessee share a number of coaching connections:

John Barnhill, who was UA’s athletic director from 1946-69, was UT’s head coach from 1941-45, posting a 32-5-2 mark in four seasons. Tennessee did not field a club in 1943 due to World War II. Under Barnhill, the Vols were 9-1-1 with a Sugar Bowl win over Tulsa in 1942. Barnhill was 22-17-2 as UA’s head coach from 1946-49 with Cotton and Dixie bowl appearances in ’46 and ’47, respectively.

Bowden Wyatt was the head coach at UT from 1955-62, compiling a 49-24-4 record over eight seasons with an SEC title in 1956 when the Vols were 10-1. Wyatt was 11-10 in two seasons as the head coach at Arkansas, going 3-7 in 1953 and 8-3 with a Cotton Bowl appearance in 1954.

Doug Dickey was an assistant at Arkansas from 1958-63 on Frank Broyles’ staff, helping Arkansas go 43-21 in those six seasons with Gator, Cotton, Sugar and Sugar bowl bids in 1959, ’60, ’61 and ’62, respectively. He was the head coach at UT from 1964-69 and won the Litkenhous national championship with a 9-2 mark and Orange Bowl victory in 1967. He was 46-15-4 in six seasons with a second SEC title in 1969.

Johnny Majors also coached under Broyles at Arkansas (1964-67), winning the national championship in 1964, going 32-8-1 in four seasons and appearing in the Cotton Bowl in ’64 and ’65. As the head coach at UT from 1977-92, he was 116-62-8 with SEC titles in 1985, 1989 and 1990.

LEADING THE PACK: When it comes to rushing the ball, no team in the Southeastern Conference has done it more effectively in recent years than the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The Hogs have led the SEC in rushing yardage in four of the last five seasons, including 2005 and 2006. And they are on their way once again in 2007 after racking up 2,843 yards (315.9 ypg) through nine games. Arkansas became the first team to pace the SEC in rushing four times in five seasons since Alabama led the league in four-consecutive seasons from 1971-74.

In 2007, the Hogs lead the country in yards per carry as a team with 6.45 yards per tote and are second in rushing yards per game (315.89). UA has tallied 200 or more rushing yards in 24 of its last 38 games dating back to the eighth game of the 2004 season. In addition, the Hogs earned 190 or more yards in two other games. That also includes nine games of 300 yards or more, three 400-yard-plus games and two 500-plus-yard games.

The Hogs led the SEC in rushing in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006 with an average of 218.9, 241.9, 216.9 and 228.5 yards per game, respectively. Arkansas is attempting to become the first team to pace the SEC in rushing five times in six seasons since Ole Miss led the league in six-consecutive seasons from 1957-62.

2007 Rushing Leaders

Team Gms Att Net Avg. TDs Yds/pg

1. Navy 9 568 3000 5.28 34 333.33

2. Arkansas 9 441 2843 6.45 26 315.89

3. West Virginia 8 389 2383 6.13 31 272.80

4. Air Force 10 533 2728 5.12 23 272.80

5. Oregon 9 433 2443 5.64 28 271.44

McFADDEN & JONES FORM DYNAMIC DUO: The Arkansas tailback duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones are the most-productive rushing teammates in the country (among the NCAA top 100) in 2007, averaging 260.33 yards per game. McFadden ranks fourth nationally at 146.0 ypg while Jones is 21st, accounting for 114.33 ypg. The Toledo combo of Eugene Jarvis and Julian Edelman are second at 195.74 yards per game.

Rushers (Individual Avg.)

Team Combined YPG

1. Darren McFadden (164.00) / Felix Jones (114.33) Arkansas 260.33

2. Eugene Jarvis (139.89) / Julian Edelman (56.88) Kent State 195.74

3. Dantrell Savage (121.29) / Kendall Hunter (71.88) Oklahoma State 193.17

4. Michael Hart (148.50) / Brandon Minor (40.11) Michigan 188.61

5. Jalen Parmele (130.60) / DaJuane Collins (58.40) Toledo 189.00

SEC ELITE: Darren McFadden is quickly etching his name in the SEC record books among some of the best running backs the conference has ever produced. His 1,647 yards last season rushing ranks as the fifth-best total in a single season in the history of the SEC. Herschel Walker’s (Georgia) 1,891 yards in 1981 leads the way. McFadden’s total was the most in the SEC since Bo Jackson (Auburn) rushed for 1,786 yards in 1985.

In 2005, McFadden became just the seventh freshman in league history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark in his first season. He joined Walker, Emmitt Smith (Florida), Reggie Cobb (Tenn.), Chuck Webb (Tenn.), Jamal Lewis (Tennessee) and Justin Vincent (LSU). His 1,113 yards was the sixth-best freshman rushing total in SEC history.

McFadden also ranks fifth in career rushing in the Southeastern Conference with 4,074 yards on the ground in just 34 games. He needs 90 yards to pass Florida’s Errict Rhett (1990-93) for fourth place on the SEC career rushing list and 230 yards to eclipse Auburn’s Bo Jackson (1982-85) for third place. McFadden is just the second running back in SEC history (Herschel Walker) to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

SEC’s Top 15 Career Rushing Totals

Yards Player, School (games) Years

1. 5,259 Herschel Walker, Georgia (33 games) 1980-82

2. 4,557 Kevin Faulk, LSU (41 games) 1995-98

3. 4,303 Bo Jackson, Auburn (38 games) 1982-85

4. 4,163 Errict Rhett, Florida (48 games) 1990-93

5. 4,074 Darren McFadden (34 games) 2005-present

6. 4,050 Dalton Hilliard, LSU (44 games) 1982-85

7. 4,035 Charles Alexander, LSU (44 games) 1975-78

8. 3,928 Emmitt Smith, Florida (31 games) 1987-89

9. 3,835 Sonny Collins, Kentucky (41 games) 1972-75

10. 3,831 Carnell Williams, Auburn (42 games) 2001-04

11. 3,565 Shaun Alexander, Alabama (42 games) 1996-99

12. 3,523 James Brooks, Auburn (38 games) 1977-80

13. 3,420 Bobby Humphrey, Alabama (35 games) 1985-88

14. 3,368 Joe Cribbs, Auburn (38 games) 1976-79

15. 3,333 Moe Williams, Kentucky (33 games) 1993-95

SEC’s Top 10 Single-Season Rushing Totals

Player, School (# rushes) Year Yards

1. Herschel Walker, Georgia (385 rushes) 1981 1,891

2. Bo Jackson, Auburn (278 rushes) 1985 1,786

3. Herschel Walker, Georgia (335 rushes) 1982 1,752

4. Charles Alexander, LSU (311 rushes) 1977 1,686

5. Darren McFadden, Arkansas (265 rushes) 2006 1,647

6. Herschel Walker, Georgia (274 rushes) 1980 1,616

7. Moe Williams, Kentucky (294 rushes) 1995 1,600

8. Emmitt Smith, Florida (284 rushes) 1989 1,599

9. Rudi Johnson, Auburn (324 rushes) 2000 1,567

10. Garrison Hearst, Georgia (228 rushes) 1992 1,547

FELIX THE CAT: Felix Jones had five 100-yard rushing games last season and has six 100-yard games this season with 129 vs. Troy, 133 vs. Kentucky, 132 vs. North Texas, 141 vs. Chattanooga, 101 at Ole Miss and a career-best 166 vs. South Carolina. Jones is currently 21st nationally and second in the SEC in rushing at 114.33 yards per game while leading the country in yards per carry at 9.27. His 13 100-yard career rushing games are third in school history. Jones’ 2,823 yards rushing is sixth in school history, while his 4,682 all-purpose yards is second.

Jones has also returned his third and fourth kickoff returns for touchdowns of his career with a 90-yard dash vs. Troy and an 82-yarder against Kentucky. He is seventh nationally in kickoff returns with a 31.71 ypr average and 14th in all-purpose yards with a 174.8 average.

Last season he rushed for 106 yards vs. Southeast Missouri State, 104 yards at then-No. 2 Auburn, a then-career-high 141 yards vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 137 yards vs. LSU and a career-high 150 yards vs. Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Jones finished second in the SEC and 34th nationally in rushing with 83.43 yards per game. He had a career-best 1,168 yards rushing that ranks seventh in school history on just 150 carries. Jones’ 7.58 yards per carry average led the SEC and ranked second in the country.

WILDHOG ON THE LOOSE: The WildHog offense exploded onto the national scene for the Razorbacks last season, but was fairly quite for the Razorbacks in 2007 before busting loose against South Carolina. After gaining just 231 yards through the first eight games of the season in the WildHog, Arkansas racked up 174 yards on 15 plays (11.6 yards per play) and two touchdowns in the formation against South Carolina. For the year, Arkansas has gained 405 yards on 54 plays and scored five touchdowns.

WILDHOG FORMATION

Troy: 5 plays, 48 yards, 1 TD, 9.6 ypp

Alabama: 7 plays, 21 yards, 1 TD, 3.0 yp

Kentucky: 8 plays, 81 yard, 1 TD, 10.13 ypp

North Texas: 1 play, 12 yards, 12.0 ypp

Chattanooga: 1 play, -15 yards, -15.0 ypp (fumble on snap)

Auburn: 4 plays, 20 yards, 5.0 ypp

Ole Miss: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1 TD, 3.8 ypp

FIU: 8 plays, 45 yards, 5.6 ypp

South Carolina: 15 plays, 174 yards, 2 TD, 11.6 ypp

Totals: 54 plays, 405 yards, 5 TD, 7.5 ypp

PROTECTING THE QB: The Arkansas offensive line has not only produced some of the best rushing numbers in college football over the past two seasons, but has also been outstanding at protecting the quarterback. The Hogs’ front line has allowed just 18 sacks over the last 23 games, dating back to the start of the 2006 season for an average of 0.783 per game. Rutgers is the only team to better that number with just 14 sacks in the last 23 games for a 0.607 per game average. Arkansas is currently tied for third nationally in sacks allowed with .89 per game.

TRIPLE-DIGIT RUSHERS: The Razorbacks’ rushing success has resulted in a school-record 14 100-yard rushing efforts in nine games this season.

Junior Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden has rushed for at least 100 yards in seven games with 151 vs. Troy, 195 at Alabama, 173 against Kentucky, 138 in the first half vs. North Texas, 122 vs. Chattanooga, 110 at Ole Miss and 321 vs. South Carolina.

Felix Jones has six 100-yard rushing efforts with 129 yards against Troy, 133 yards vs. Kentucky, 132 vs. North Texas, a season-high 141 vs. Chattanooga, 101 at Ole Miss and a career-high 166 vs. South Carolina. He came up just four yards shy of 100 at Alabama. Junior-college transfer Brandon Barnett registered his first career 100-yard rushing game vs. North Texas with 105 yards on 16 carries.

The Razorbacks combined for 13 100-yard rushing games last season as McFadden produced seven, Jones five and Michael Smith one.

Most Combined 100-Yard Rushing Games in a Season

14 – 2007

13 – 2006

13 – 1975

11 – 2003

9 – 2005

9 – 1977

RUSHING TO SUCCESS: Arkansas success rushing the football against South Carolina on Nov. 3 is almost unparalleled in the history of the Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks reeled off 542 rushing yards on 58 attempts (9.34 ypc), which is the second-highest total in school history (594 vs. Pittsburg [Kan.] State, 1936) and the sixth highest-mark in SEC history. But it was the most rushing yards in a game by an SEC institution against another SEC member school. The previous mark was Alabama’s 531 yards vs. Ole Miss in 1971.

TRIO OF 100-YARD RUSHERS: A trio of Razorbacks found plenty of running room in Arkansas’ win over North Texas. The Hogs’ tailback tandem of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were joined by junior-college transfer Brandon Barnett for a trio of 100-yard rushing efforts.

McFadden reeled off his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 16th of his career. The junior from Little Rock rolled up 138 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

Jones notched his third 100-yard game of the season with 132 yards on seven-impressive carries. His efforts were highlighted by a sideline-stepping 71-yard-touchdown run. Barnett received his first rushing attempts in a Razorback uniform and ripped off 105 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Peyton Hillis wasn’t far of the 100-yard mark with 66 yards on 11 carries.

The last time Arkansas boasted three 100-yard rushers was in the 2005 season opener when Jones (137), Hillis (135) and De’Arrius Howard (120) accomplished the feat. UA also did it in 2001’s seven-overtime win at Ole Miss when Matt Jones (110), Cedric Cobbs (100) and Fed Talley (113) did it. The only other time the Hogs have had three 100-yard rushers was in Arkansas’ 1993 win over LSU in Baton Rouge. In the victory, Oscar Malone (143), Carlton Calvin (123) and Marius Johnson (106) turned the trick.

FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: PK Alex Tejada made quite an impression during his first nine games in cardinal and white. The Springdale, Ark., native is 14 for 18 on field goals attempts and is 44 of 46 on extra point attempts to account for 86 points. He currently ranks tied for 22nd in the country in field goals per game (1.56) and ranks 21st nationally in scoring (9.56). In the Troy game, he became the first Razorback since Chris Balseiro to make four field goals in a game (vs. Missouri, 2003 Independence Bowl, Dec. 31, 2003). Tejada is 5 for 5 from 20-29 yards, 6 for 6 from 30-39 yards, 3 for 6 from 40-49 yards and 0 for 1 from 50 and beyond.

Tejada’s 47-yard field goal vs. Chattanooga was a career long and the longest for any Hog since David Carlton hit from 47 against Tennessee on Oct. 5, 2002. The last field goal longer than Tejada’s 47-yarder was Matt Swartz’s 49-yarder against Southwest Missouri State on Sept. 2, 2000.

MARVELOUS MONK: At 6-6, Marcus Monk has stood out since the day he stepped foot on campus. He led all Southeastern Conference freshmen in receiving in 2004 and set a school record for freshman receiving along the way. Monk broke Richard Smith’s UA record (33) for receptions by a freshman when he hauled in 37 balls for 569 yards and six touchdowns. He tied for the team lead in catches and garnered freshman All-SEC honors for his efforts. As a sophomore in 2005, Monk caught 35 passes for a team-high 476 yards and seven touchdowns.

In 2006, Monk produced the best numbers of his career with 50 catches for a career-high 962 yards. He caught a school record 11 touchdown passes and averaged 19.2 yards per catch, which was the second-best in the SEC. He was ninth in the league in yards per game (68.71). Monk’s 962 yards is the third-most in a single season in school history.

Monk had caught at least one pass in each of his 36 career games before playing just one snap vs. Auburn in early October. He started his first game of the 2007 season vs. FIU and caught two passes fro 19 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown grab. He then followed that with two more catches and at TD vs. South Carolina. Monk has caught at least one pass in 38 of his 39 career games at UA and has caught a pass in each of his 38 career starts.

MONK ATOP CAREER TD CHART: Marcus Monk’s touchdown catch against South Carolina was the 26th of his career. That moved him three ahead of Anthony Lucas on the all-time school chart. Monk’s 26th career TD grab also moved him into a tie with Florida’ Reidel Anthony and LSU’s Dwayne Bowe eighth all time in the SEC.

SEC Career Touchdown Receptions List

1. Chris Doering, Florida (40 games) 31

2. Terrence Edwards, Georgia (45 games) 30

3. Ike Hilliard, Florida (32 games) 29

Terry Beasley, Auburn (30 games) 29

Jack Jackson, Florida (38 games) 29

6. Craig Yeast, Kentucky (43 games) 28

7. Jabar Gaffney, Florida (23 games) 27

8. Marcus Monk, Arkansas (39 games) 26

Reidel Anthony, Florida (33 games) 26

Dwayne Bowe, LSU (42 games) 26

100-YARD RETURN: Jerell Norton’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against North Texas is a UA school record, surpassing Orlando Watters 99-yard return vs. LSU in 1993. It is just the 11th 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in SEC history and just the second since 1968. Prior to Norton’s return, LSU’s Greg Jackson had the last 100-yard interception return in the SEC in 1988. It is the fourth 100-yard interception return in the bowl subdivision this season and just the 79th in NCAA history.

Norton ranks tied for seventh nationally with .55 interceptions per game (five total) and tied for 10th in passes defended with 1.44 per game.

RASH OF INTERCEPTIONS: The Hogs’ defensive effort has been boosted by a massive influx of interceptions. After picking off just six passes in the first six games, UA intercepted nine passes against Ole Miss and FIU. That includes two each by Matterral Richardson, Jerell Norton and Rashaad Johnson along with picks by Michael Grant, Kevin Woods and Adrian Davis.

MID-SEASON ALL-AMERICANS: Arkansas tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones and center Jonathan Luigs have been named to both the SI.com and Phil Steele’s College Football Midseason All-America teams. McFadden and Jones also earned accolades from Rivals.com. Luigs was also named a midseason All-American by CBSsports.com.

The Razorback trio (McFadden, Jones and Luigs) was also honored by Phil Steele’s College Football as first-team midseason All-SEC selections. Senior offensive guard Robert Felton and senior cornerback Michael Grant earned second-team All-SEC accolades. Senior strong safety Matt Hewitt, senior offensive tackle Nate Garner and freshman kicker Alex Tejada were named to the third-team midseason all-conference listing.

TD GRABBING TIGHT END: Andrew Davie became the first Razorback tight end to catch two touchdowns in a game since Jared Hicks caught two vs. Ole Miss on Nov. 13, 2004. Davie snagged two touchdown grabs last week at Ole Miss for his second and third TD catches of the season. He has nine catches for 83 yards this season.

BIG NUMBERS AGAINST THE MEAN GREEN: The 66 points scored against North Texas was the sixth-highest figure in school history and the most in a non-overtime game since 1928 (73-0 win over Texas Southwestern). The 45-first-half points were the most for a Arkansas team in the Houston Nutt era (1998-present). UA also generated 713 yards of total offense against UNT, which is the second-highest figure in school history. The record is 859 yards against Pittsburg (Kan.) State in 1936.

PROTECT THIS HOUSE: Home field advantage has been good to the Razorbacks, especially during the Houston Nutt Era. Arkansas has the second-most SEC home wins since 1998 with 52. The Hogs are 52-17 (.754) in games played at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas is 21-2 in Little Rock and 31-15 in Fayetteville in that 10-year span under Coach Nutt. (See chart at bottom right of page 4).

STILL ATOP THE BOWL LIST: Arkansas is atop the bowl appearance list for SEC Western Division teams since 1998. The Razorbacks have once again qualified for a bowl game at the end of the season. UA has made seven bowl appearances since Houston Nutt took over the reins in Fayetteville, including the 2007 Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Arkansas has made two appearances in the Cotton Bowl (2000 and 2002) and the Citrus/Capital One Bowl (1999 and 2007) and one in the Las Vegas Bowl (2000), the Music City Bowl (2002) and the Independence Bowl (2003).

Although Arkansas has a rich bowl tradition, in the eight seasons prior to Nutt’s arrival the Razorbacks had earned only two bowl berths.

DENTING THE SCOREBOARD: Arkansas has now scored in 144 consecutive games, a school record for scoring in the most consecutive games in team history. Arkansas has not been shut out since a 28-0 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 18, 1995.

UA ranks fourth among league schools in the longest active scoring streak. Florida ranks first in the SEC earning points in 237 consecutive contests.

RACKING UP 20: The Razorbacks have made a routine of racking up 20 points since Houston Nutt arrived in Fayetteville. Arkansas has scored 20 points or more in 90 of Nutt’s 120 games (.750) as head coach. Arkansas is 42-13 mark (.764) in game where they score 20 points or more over the last seven seasons.

100 AND COUNTING FOR NUTT: The Razorbacks’ game against Vanderbilt last fall was the 100th in the 10-year career of Hog boss Houston Nutt. He owns a 73-47 (.608) career record at Arkansas. Nutt is just the third coach in school history to coach 100 games (currently 120) at the helm of the Razorback program. Fred Thomsen (1929-41) was the first, posting a 56-61-10 (.480) record while Frank Broyles (1958-76) is the school’s all-time leader with 207 games coached (144-58-5 [.708]) in 19 seasons.

Coach Total Games Seasons

Frank Broyles 207 19 (1958-1976)

Fred Thomsen 127 13 (1929-41)

Houston Nutt 120 10th (1998-present)

Nutt’s tenure at Arkansas is also a rare feat for any SEC coach. Only three coaches hired in the SEC since 1990 have enjoyed a stint of 100 games at the same school. Nutt became the fourth against Vanderbilt last season.

Coach, School (Years) Games

Philip Fulmer, Tennessee (1992-current) 181

Jackie Sherrill, Miss. State (1991-2003) 153

Steve Spurrier, Florida (1990-2001) 150

Houston Nutt, Arkansas (1998-current) 120

HEISMAN No. 2: Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden was the first Heisman Memorial Trophy finalist in school history. The then sophomore finished second to Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, becoming only the fifth underclassman to ever finish in the top two. McFadden earned 45 first-place votes and 878 total points, edging out Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn (13 first-place votes, 782 total). McFadden captured 298 second-place votes with Quinn garnering 276. Below is a breakdown of the voting.

Heisman Trophy Voting

Player, School 1st 2nd 3rd Total

Troy Smith, Ohio State 801 62 13 2,540

Darren McFadden, Arkansas 45 298 147 878

Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 13 276 191 782

Steve Slaton, West Virginia 6 51 94 214

Michael Hart, Michigan 5 58 79 210

ALL-AMERICANS ALL AROUND: Arkansas had four players earn All-America honors following the 2006 season, including Darren McFadden who was a unanimous selection. Joining McFadden was offensive lineman Jonathan Luigs, who was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the top center in the nation. Tony Ugoh was a second-team selection at left tackle and Stephen Parker garnered second-team honors at left guard. In 2005, Felix Jones became the first UA freshman to earn first-team All-America honors when he was selected as a kickoff-return specialist.

HOG WILD IN OVERTIME: Arkansas is 6-1 in overtime games dating back to the 1996, which was the first season overtime was used to break ties at the end of regulation. The six wins is tied for the third most overtime wins in NCAA history (Missouri is 8-3). The .857 winning percentage, among teams with at least five overtime games, ranks third to Nebraska, South Florida and Michigan’s 5-0 records.

DARREN McFADDEN VS. RANKED OPPONENTS: McFadden has also been at his best against the best during his Razorback career, averaging 126.6 yards per game over 15 games against ranked opponents. He has racked up 1,899 yards against ranked opponents with 14 touchdowns and a 5.90 yards per carry average on 322 totes. Below is a game-by-game chart of McFadden’s performances against ranked competition during his Razorback career.

2005 Season (5 games)

Team No. Yds TD LG YPC

#1 at Southern California 13 88 0 14 6.77

#20 at Alabama 8 95 1 70 11.88

#21 Auburn 13 108 2 35 8.31

#4 at Georgia 31 190 2 70 6.13

#3 at LSU 24 57 1 13 2.38

2005 Total (107.6 ypg) 89 538 6 70 6.04

2006 Season (7 games)

Team No. Yds TD LG YPC

#6 at Southern California 9 42 0 17 4.67

#24 Alabama 25 112 1 29 4.48

#2 at Auburn 28 145 1 63 5.18

#13 Tennessee 30 181 2 37 6.03

#9 LSU 21 182 2 80 8.67

#4 Florida 21 73 0 15 3.48

#6 Wisconsin 19 89 0 45 4.68

2006 Total (117.7 ypg) 153 824 6 80 5.39

2007 Season (3 games)

Team No. Yds TD LG YPC

#21 Kentucky 29 173 1 56 5.97

#22 Auburn 17 43 0 13 2.53

#23 South Carolina 34 321 1 80 9.44

2007 Total (179.0 ypg) 80 537 2 80 6.71

Career Total (126.6 ypg) 322 1,899 14 80 5.90

Download: 2007 Arkansas Game Notes Tennessee (2007).pdf