The 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks compiled an overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing a three-way tie for fourth at the bottom of the standings in the SEC's Western Division. Arkansas was invited to the Liberty Bowl, where the Razorbacks defeated East Carolina in overtime. The team played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Schedule
Before the season Additions Punter Briton Forester signed with the team on March 2 out of Palomar College."Briton Forester." Rivals.com. Article. Retrieved on March 3, 2009. Forester had previously competed at Hawaii in 2006 and 2007, and will be designated a junior at Arkansas."Punter Briton Forester signs with Arkansas, joins 2009 recruiting class." KFSM. Article. Retrieved on March 3, 2009. New special teams coach John L. Smith was integral in Forester's signing.
USC transfer Broderick Green was cleared to play by the NCAA on July 31, 2009."Green cleared to play for Arkansas." July 31, 2009. Article. Retrieved on August 7, 2009. Archived 2009-08-11. The running back transferred to Arkansas to be nearer his ill grandmother, who resides in Little Rock, Arkansas. He will have three years of eligibility remaining."Green eligible to play in 2009." July 30, 2009. Article. Retrieved on August 7, 2009.
Departures In a press release on December 16, 2008, Nathan Dick, brother of Casey Dick, announced his intentions to transfer from the University of Arkansas."Nathan Dick Granted Release." 12/16/2008. arkansasrazorbacks.com. Story. Retrieved on January 17, 2009. His release was granted by Bobby Petrino. Dick transferred to in-state UCA."Nathan Dick Headed to UCA." 01/06/09 KATV. Story. Retrieved on January 17, 2009. Crosby Tuck, a sophomore receiver from Shiloh Christian School, announced on February 23, 2009 that he would no longer play for the Razorbacks.Trainor, Kevin. "Tuck will no longer play football." 02/23/2009 Article. Retrieved on February 24, 2009. The Springdale native's decision was based on an elbow injury against Kentucky in 2007, from which he has not returned. Tuck will remain at the University of Arkansas.
Sophomore linebacker Khiry Battle was dismissed from the team on June 29, 2009, due to an unspecified violation of team rules."Battle dismissed from football team." June 29, 2009 Article. Retrieved on August 7, 2009.
Game summaries Missouri State
Arkansas began the season with a bang as Dennis Johnson returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown.Murphy, Tom. "ARKANSAS 48, MISSOURI STATE 10: Fast-break fun." Northwest Arkansas Times. Sept 6, 2009. Article. Retrieved 2009-09-06. The Razorbacks also threw for over 400 yards as a team for the first time in school history.Edwards, Mark. "Petrino Opens 2009 With Offensive Record." September 5, 2009. Article. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
Ryan Mallett went 17 for 22 passing for 309 yards and a touchdown in his Razorbacks debut. He transferred from the University of Michigan following the 2007 season, and had to sit out the 2008 season in accordance with NCAA regulations.Henry, Clay. "Passing Fancy Sets Record." Hawgsillustrated.com. Article. Retrieved September 6, 2009. His backup, Tyler Wilson, was more efficient but less productive going 13 for 19 for 138 yards with an interception and two touchdowns.Trister, Noah. "Arkansas defeats Missouri St. 48–10." Sept 5, 2009. Associated Press. Article. Retrieved September 6, 2009. Senior running back Michael Smith scored from 15 yards out to make the score 14–0 Razorbacks. Broderick Green scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge to make the score 21–3 to close the first quarter.
Van Stumon caught a Wilson pass for a two-yard touchdown, followed by a Bears score to push the Razorback advantage to 28–10. Alex Tejada added a short field goal before halftime to give the Hogs a 21-point lead. Joe Adams caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Mallett to start the third quarter scoring, with the Hogs also notching another Tejada field goal. The fourth quarter produced another TD strike from Wilson, this time to Cobi Hamilton.
Smith finished with four carries for 43 yards and the score. True freshman Ronnie Wingo Jr. rushed eight times for 50 yards, Broderick Green rushed 10 times for 31 yards and a touchdown. Jarius Wright caught 6 passes for 139 yards, with Joe Adams snagging 4 for 70 and a TD. Cobi Hamilton had four grabs for 56 and a TD, Greg Childs caught 4 for 50 yds. Tight end D.J. Williams, named to the Mackey Award watch list, caught two passes for twenty yards."UAB's Jeffery Anderson Named To Mackey Award Watch List." July 29, 2009. Article. Retrieved September 6, 2009. Razorback linebackers Wendel Davis and Jerry Franklin had five solo tackles each."Arkansas sets record with 447 yards passing, cruises by Missouri State." Article. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
Georgia
The fifth-largest crowd in Razorback Stadium history watched the Hogs and Dogs pile up over 1,000 yards of offense and numerous school records.Smith, Bill. "Dogs outlast Hogs in shootout." 9/19/2009. Article. Retrieved September 21, 2009. Georgia QB Joe Cox threw for 375 yards and five scores. Bulldogs receiver A. J. Green had seven catches for 137 yards and two scores. Ryan Mallett of Arkansas completed 21 of 39 for 408 yards and five touchdowns. The yardage and touchdown totals both are school records. Razorback receiver Greg Childs caught five passes for 140 yards and two TDs."Georgia vs Arkansas (Sep 19, 2009)." Stats. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
Arkansas scored on their first two plays; Joe Adams catching an 18-yard pass from Ryan Mallett (Alex Tejada kick) followed by a Jarius Wright 48-yard pass from Mallett. Georgia scored on a Joe Cox TD pass and Blair Walsh field goal, followed by a Greg Childs 30-yard touchdown reception from Ryan Mallett to make it a 21–10 Razorback lead to end the first period. Early in the second quarter, Razorback linebacker Jerry Franklin was assessed two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and was ejected. Georgia opened the second quarter scoring with an 80-yard run by Richard Samuel, followed by a 25-yard pass from Joe Cox to A.J. Green. Walsh added a field goal as time expired, giving UGA the first half, 27–21.Low, Chris. "What a second quarter for Georgia." September 19, 2009. Article. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
Arkansas forced Georgia into a three-and-out, followed by a 40-yard Ryan Mallett aerial to Greg Childs, to make it a 28–27 Arkansas advantage. Tavarres King of Georgia responded by catching a 50-yard pass from Cox. Arkansas replied when D.J. Williams snagged a 2-yard pass from Mallett. Georgia two-way player Orson Charles caught a 44-yard pass from Joe Cox to make the score 40–35. The Dogs attempted a two-point conversion, and A.J. Green caught the lob from Cox to make it 42–35. Razorback kicker Alex Tejada added a short field goal, making the score 42–38 to Georgia's advantage.
A.J. Green caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cox to give UGA an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Razorbacks drove inside the Georgia 10-yard line, but settled for a field goal. Georgia subsequently took the ball and tacked on another field goal, making the final score 52–41."SEC: Georgia beats Arkansas for wild win." Article. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
The three-hour and forty-five-minute affair contained 25 penalties for 193 total yards. The two teams combined to run 125 plays. Joe Cox was named National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation for his efforts.Tucker, Tim. "Georgia QB Joe Cox wins national player of week award." September 20, 2009. [Georgia QB Joe Cox wins national player of week award Article.] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
Alabama
Arkansas visited Bryant–Denny Stadium on September 26 to play the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
Arkansas and Alabama battled to a 0–0 tie after the first quarter, with the two teams combining for five punts and six first downs. Trent Richardson got the scoring started for 'Bama, breaking numerous tackles on his way to a 52-yard touchdown run. After Arkansas punted on the ensuing possession, Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy completed a deep pass to Julio Jones for 50 yards and a touchdown out of the wildcat formation. Arkansas rushed for negative yardage in the second quarter, but was losing by only 14 at halftime.
Arkansas' offense got started in the third quarter on a Greg Childs 18-yard touchdown reception from Ryan Mallett. The Alex Tejada kick made it a 14–7 Alabama lead. Alabama's response was a single play: McElroy to Marquis Maze for an 80-yard touchdown pass. Arkansas' Dylan Breeding had his punt attempt blocked, setting up Mark Ingram to catch a 14-yard TD pass from McElroy. The Crimson Tide led 28–7 entering the fourth quarter, and Ingram's 2-yard run produced the 35–7 final score."No. 3 Alabama is all over Arkansas." September 26, 2009. NBC Sports.Article. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
Texas A&M
Texas A&M and Arkansas renewed their rivalry at Cowboys Stadium on October 3. Texas A&M took an early 10–0 lead on a Randy Bullock field goal and Jerrod Johnson 60-yard pass to Bran Jackson, but Arkansas responded with 30 unanswered points before halftime. TD passes from Ryan Mallett to Broderick Green and DeAnthony Curtis, followed by an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Jerry Franklin, gave the Hogs a 21–10 lead. Alex Tejada made a field goal and Jarius Wright's 31-yard touchdown reception gave the Razorbacks a 30–10 lead at halftime.
The Aggies replied with a field goal from Bullock with 8:16 to play in the third quarter. Mallett hit Michael Smith for a 29-yard passing touchdown to close the third quarter scoring. Texas A&M receiver Ryan Tannehill caught a 3-yard pass from Johnson to make it a 19–37 game, but the Aggies failed the two-point conversion. After another Tejada field goal, Razorback true freshman Ronnie Wingo, Jr. broke loose for a 62-yard touchdown to produce the final margin of 47–19.Carlton, Chuck. "Mallett, Razorbacks lower hammer on A&M, 47–19." October 4, 2009. The Dallas Morning News. Article. Retrieved October 30, 2009.
Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson completed 30 of 58 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Mallett was 17 of 27 passing for 271 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Joe Adams caught three passes for 110 yards to lead Arkansas in receiving. The contest took three hours and twenty six minutes to complete, and contained 151 plays, 91 of which were run by Texas A&M."Texas A&M Aggies vs Arkansas Razorbacks (Oct. 3, 2009)." Article. Retrieved October 30, 2009.
Auburn
Former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville provided his insight on the contest, stating over the radio on WJOX, "Arkansas can’t stop a cold, but they’ll try to score some points" and that Auburn would win "by three touchdowns".Low, Chris. "Tuberville says Auburn will win by three TDs." ESPN.com. October 7, 2009. Article. Retrieved October 8, 2009. Bobby Petrino was an offensive coordinator for the Tigers under Tuberville in 2002, and was considered as Tuberville's successor after a dismal 2003 campaign.Paramore, Phil. Dothan Eagle. May 28, 2008. "Petrino, Tuberville move past ‘jetgate’." Retrieved October 8, 2009.