Reggie Fish & 'Woody'

The date was October 7, 2006. The Hogs were locked up in a fight with the second-ranked Auburn Tigers inside a jam-packed Jordan-Hare Stadium. In ran 5-foot-7-inch wideout Reggie Fish from the sidelines; what happened next cemented his legacy with the cardinal and white.

On a trick play called “Woody,” Fish hid behind the UA offensive line and crawled to the line of scrimmage undetected by the Auburn defense. After the snap, Fish moved behind the quarterback who blindly handed the ball behind his back to Fish. Fish hesitated and then raced around left end for 28 yards down to the Auburn six-yard line to set up the Hogs’ final touchdown. “[People still talk about it] everyday,” Fish said. “It’s just one of those plays. I can’t take all the credit, it was the right call at the right time. Hogs’ fans never seem to forget that play.” For his efforts, Fish captured national attention as ESPN SportsCenter’s No. 2 play of the day. Not to mention, the Hogs walked out of Jordan-Hare with a 27-10 victory.

Although he enjoys reminiscing on the past, Fish is focused on the task at hand: contributing and making an impact in 2009. Coming off a redshirt season, Fish figures to play into the mix at wide receiver in a offense he’s excited to be a part of. “This a receiver-friendly offense,” Fish said. “That chance to make a big play is always there. That’s pretty exciting.” The quality of the system isn’t the only thing that gets Fish excited, it’s the personnel executing it. “Since I’ve been here,” Fish said, “this is the best group of quarterbacks and receivers we’ve had at one time. I’ve never been around a group as talented and hungry as this group of guys. The sky’s the limit for us. As for me, I just go out and give it my best every day and try to take advantage of any opportunities that come my way.”

Fish plans to take the opportunities he has had as a student-athlete and apply them from a different point of view in the future. “I want to coach,” Fish said. “I feel like I’m very knowledgeable of the game and could bring a certain energy to the coaching arena.”Wanting to give back to a game that has given him so much comes as no surprise when examining Fish’s favorite aspect of being a Razorback. “I love these fans,” Fish said. “Fan day is one of those things that brings you down to Earth. You get to meet people who really do appreciate what we’re out here doing. There’s nothing like being a Razorback.”

Becoming a Razorback was a decision that made sense for Fish. Recruited by Oklahoma State, Missouri, Iowa, Baylor, Notre Dame and SMU, the Mesquite, Texas, native took a trip to Fayetteville after being “intrigued” at the thought of being a Razorback. A few summer camps later he was hooked and knew he would soon be making Northwest Arkansas home. Fish’s father, Reginald, played wide receiver at Oklahoma State from 1978-81. While feeling no pressure to follow in Dad’s footsteps, Fish certainly recognizes and appreciates the role his father played in the early days of his career. “He was always there for me,” Fish said. “Every step of the way. He taught me everything I know about this game. He played ball, so he knew what I was up against and had be prepared when it was time for me to go do my thing.”

When it comes time to don the Cardinal and White on game day, Fish has no problem getting amped up. While Razorback fans will remember Reggie Fish for a trick play that lasted 26 yards, Fish says he will forever remember Arkansas fans for providing the most indescribable moment in college sports that will last a lifetime. “It’s all about that moment,” said Fish. That indescribable moment right before we come out. We hear the entire stadium calling the Hogs and the jets flying over. That’s when you know it’s time to go play.”