Arkansas-USC Game Moved to Sept. 2 for ESPN

The Razorbacks and Trojans were originally scheduled to square off on Sept. 9, but both schools agreed to the date change to accommodate the ESPN broadcast. The game will be the season opener for both squads.

USC won national championships following the 2003 and 2004 seasons and had a 34-game winning streak snapped in the Rose Bowl earlier this month by Texas. The Trojans will make their first trip to Arkansas since a 1974 trek to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. USC leads the overall series 3-1 including a win last season at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Of the four previous games in the series, two have been played in Little Rock (1972, 1974) and two have been played in Los Angeles (1973, 2005).

“We are excited about the opportunity to open the season against USC on national television,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “We are obviously aware of the tradition and the tremendous success of the USC program, especially in the last few seasons. I know our players will use this game as motivation during the off-season and during spring practice. I am confident that Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be packed and our fans will make it one of the most exciting atmospheres in the country.”

In an effort to accommodate the Arkansas-USC game change, two additional Razorback non-conference games were re-scheduled.

Arkansas will now play Utah State on Sept. 9 in Fayetteville instead of on Oct. 28. The Razorbacks will play Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock on Oct. 28 instead of on Sept. 2. The ULM game will be televised by ESPNU.

Television times for both the USC and ULM games will be determined later. Click link above for complete 2006 schedule.