This week SWC Game of the Week must make our yearly stop in Arkansas. They of course were the first defectors from the SWC, but we must forgive and forget and include them in our tribute. Houston Nutt, the Arkansas coach, has been facing some heat lately as longtime legend Frank Broyles leaves as athletic director. It would be nice if Texas and Arkansas could find a way to play each other every year, but these days it’s complicated. (Just like A&M vs. LSU). We’re nearing the end of the season, only two more weeks, so enjoy while you can.
THIS WEEK’S GAME:
This week’s game is Mississippi State at Arkansas in Little Rock. The two will meet for the 18th time with Arkansas holding a 11-5-1 advantage including 8 straight victories and 12 out of 13. Arkansas is also 21-1 in games played in Little Rock since 1998. Arkansas is lead on offense by their explosive back Darrin McFadden, who is also a Heisman Trophy winner. Darrin McFadden was Arkansas’s first Heisman Trophy finalist last year. He is the Razerback’s all time leading rusher and is 4th in the country this year averaging 143.1 yards a game. McFadden is joined in the backfield by Felix Jones and the two are the first two teammates in the history of the SEC to rush for 1000 yards in back to back seasons. Jones is averaging 103 yards rushing a game, for 30th in the NCAA. The Arkansas defense is ranked number 2 nationally in passing defense. The two corners, Michael Grant and Jerell Norton are leading the pass defense for the Hogs. Arkansas is bowl eligible for the 8th time in 10 seasons for their coach Houston Nutt, however, the Hog faithful are not satisfied with this and there is some heat to fire Nutt. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are coming off a 21-17 upset victory of the Alabama Crimson Tide. With that victory they are bowl eligible for the first time since 2000 and will seek their first ever victory in the state of Arkansas. Bulldog sophomore tailback Anthony Dixon has 414 carries for 1582 yards and 22 touchdowns on his career, inching him up in the MSU record books in all categories. On defense sophomore Anthony Johnson was the SEC Defensive player of the game. His 100 yard interception return for a touchdown was the play of the game for MSU.
COTTON BOWL MEMORIES:
This week’s Cotton Bowl memory is from the 1965 contest between Arkansas and Nebraska. Arkansas was unbeaten and untied, representing the SWC and were ranked #2 in the land. Coach Frank Broyles squad trailed only Alabama in both wire service polls. The Cotton Bowl could have a decision in the national championship for the 3rd time in 6 years and the second straight year. Nebraska was 9-1 however, ranked #3 in the UPI and #6 by the AP. Arkansas defense would limit the Cornhuskers to 11 first downs and 168 yards with one touchdown. It was the first score against the Razerbacks, who shut out their last 5 opponents, only allowing 57 points in 10 games. Nebraska, coached by Bob Devaney, matched the Hogs, allowing only 11 first downs and 176 yards. 80 of those 176 yards came on the last drive. QB Fred Marshall keyed the rally with a 10 yard run and a 28 yard pass to Jim Lindsey, taking the Razerbacks to the Husker 5 yard line. Bobby Burnett would score the winning TD from there with 4:41 left in the contest. Thanks to an old foe, the Razerbacks would win the Football Writers Association National Championship. The Longhorns, who lost only to Arkansas 14-13, beat Alabama in the Orange Bowl 21-17. Interesting note, the AP and UPI polls were not voted after the last game, not taking into account the bowl games.
OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Oklahoma State at Baylor (Guy Morris’s last game as Baylor head man)
Marshall at Houston (Houston looks to rebound against the Thundering Herd)
Tulane at Rice (Rice, on two game win streak, looks to take it to the boys from the Big Easy)
UCF at SMU (SMU trying to find a few wins at the end of their season)
UNLV at TCU (TCU with rare Sat. game)
OU at Texas Tech (Tech has a chance to play spoiler against Sooners)
RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK:
SWC Game of the Week, Week 8:
Texas 59 Texas Tech 43
Other Games:
Tennessee 34 Arkansas 13 (Hogs struggle with Rocky Top)
OU 52 Baylor 21 (Baylor, only one more game…)
Tulsa 56 Houston 7 (Houston falls on its face in big conference showdown)
Rice 43 SMU 42 (Well, someone did have to win, and it was Rice on a last second field goal)
Missouri 40 Texas A&M 26 (Aggies out classed by the Tigers, but they play hard)
BYU 27 TCU 22 (TCU winding down a disappointing season)
STANDINGS:
| | Conference: | Overall: |
| | W | L | W | L |
| Texas | 4 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| Texas Tech | 4 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Houston | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| TCU | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Arkansas: | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
| Texas A&M | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Baylor | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Rice | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| SMU | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
FINAL WORD:
That’s a wrap for this week. Please feel free to forward to your friends, send me emails of those that should be included that aren’t, and submit your additions to the weekly newsletters (favorite SWC memories, player bio’s, funny old SWC stories, mascot hijinks, etc.) If you are receiving this note and you don’t want to, shame on you, but let me know, I’ll take you off the list.
Remember to visit http://www.honortheswc.com/home.asp and help build the SWC Gallery in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
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