Razorbacks release 2009 football schedule

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –-Seven games against bowl teams, seven games inside the state and the first meeting with Texas A&M since the Southwest Conference days highlight Arkansas’ 2009 football schedule, which was released on Friday.

"We appreciate the patience of our fans in awaiting the official release of our schedule as we attempted to eliminate the open date in the second week of the season," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. "We explored every avenue to re-configure the schedule to benefit our football team. In the end, we were not able to find a feasible option for the upcoming season.

"Our 2009 schedule features non-conference and SEC games against some of the nation’s outstanding programs. It all adds up to what should be another exciting year of Razorback Football."

The tough schedule includes seven games inside the state of Arkansas, including the Sept. 5 season-opener against Missouri State in Little Rock. The other game in Little Rock is against Mississippi State on Nov. 21. The Fayetteville schedule includes games against Georgia on Sept. 19, Auburn on Oct. 10, Eastern Michigan on Oct. 31, South Carolina on Nov. 7 and Troy on Nov. 14.

Arkansas renews its rivalry with former SWC foe Texas A&M on Oct. 3 when the teams meet in Arlington, Texas at the brand new Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium. The teams have not met since 1991, Arkansas’ final year in the Southwest Conference. The Razorbacks lead the all-time series 38-24-3.

After opening with games against Missouri State and Georgia in Arkansas, the Razorbacks play four of their next five games on the road. Arkansas goes to Alabama on Sept. 26 before the trip to Dallas for the Texas A&M game. Following the home game against Auburn, the Razorbacks go to Florida on Oct. 17 and to Ole Miss on Oct. 24.

Arkansas ends the year with four of five games in the state. Eastern Michigan, South Carolina and Troy visit Fayetteville on Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14, respectively, followed by the Mississippi State game in Little Rock and the season finale at LSU on Nov. 28. The Eastern Michigan game will take place on homecoming weekend.

Opponents which earned bowl bids in 2008 include Georgia (Capital One), Alabama (Sugar), Florida (BCS Championship), Ole Miss (Cotton), South Carolina (Outback), Troy (New Orleans) and LSU (Chick-Fil-A).