Hogs Host FIU on Homecoming
Game 8
Arkansas vs.
Florida International
Saturday, Oct. 27, Fayetteville, Ark.
1 p.m. CT
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Rankings:
Florida International (0-7, 0-3 Sun Belt) – NR
Arkansas (4-3, 1-3 SEC) – NR
The Coaches:
Arkansas: Houston Nutt (Oklahoma State, 1981)
Career Record: 107-69/.611 (15 years)
Arkansas Record: 71-47/.601 (10 years)
vs. Florida International: 0-0
Florida International: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993)
Career Record: 0-7/.000 (1 year)
School Record: Same
vs. Arkansas: 0-0
TV: None
Radio: ARSN ARSN (Spanish)
Play-by-Play: Chuck Barrett Carlos Chicas
Analyst: Keith Jackson Jose Lopez
Sidelines: Quinn Grovey
XM Channel: 200
Internet: Live audio and stats at www.hogwired.com
HOMECOMING MATCH UP: The Razorbacks will host Florida International on Homecoming in their final non-conference tilt of the season on Sat., Oct. 27. Kickoff at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
NOTING THE RAZORBACKS:
* Arkansas and Florida International will meet for the first time on Saturday. Florida International is Arkansas’ third Sun Belt opponent this season.
• The Hogs boast a 49-32-4 record (.614) in the previous 85 Homecoming games. Arkansas is 6-3 in homecoming games under Houston Nutt.
• Arkansas tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones and center Jonathan Luigs have been named to both the SI.com and Phil Steele’s College Football Midseason All-America teams. McFadden and Jones also earned accolades from Rivals.com. Luigs was also named a midseason All-American by CBSsports.com.
• Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden is Arkansas’ career rushing leader with 3,692 yards entering Saturday’s game. He passed Ben Cowins (3,570 yards) two weeks ago vs. Auburn and enters the FIU game needing 140 yards to pass Carnell Williams of Auburn for ninth on the career SEC rushing list.
• McFadden ranks seventh nationally in rushing with 133.14 yards per game. That mark also leads the conference. He is averaging 160.0 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks 20th nationally and second in the SEC.
• McFadden’s school-rushing record of 3,692 yards also ranks fourth in career rushing among active Bowl Subdivision players.
• Fellow junior Felix Jones ranks 21st nationally and third in the SEC in rushing with 110.57 yards per contest. He has 774 yards rushing on the season with seven touchdowns while accounting for 176.0 all-purpose yards per game (1,232) to rank 12th nationally.
• Jones’ 9.6 yards per carry average leads the country. He is averaging 2.02 yards per rush more than the second-best mark nationally, Oklahoma State freshman Kendall Hunter (7.54). Jones also leads the country in career yards per carry among active players with a 7.69 ypc average.
• Arkansas’ rushing attack ranks fourth nationally at 293.14 yards per game. That mark also leads the SEC by 69.0 yards over second-place LSU. UA has led the SEC in rushing four of the last five years. UA has rushed for at least 300 yards in four-of-seven games this season and has rushed for at least 200 yards in 11 of their last 14 games, including six times this year.
• The Arkansas defense boasts the No. 2 ranked pass efficiency defense (89.33) in the nation. That ranking comes after allowing just 120.2 yards per game passing over the last four weeks. Additionally, Reggie Herring’s defense has allowed just two passing touchdowns and a 38.3 completion percentage. Overall, the Hogs’ defense has allowed just 9.8 points and 271.2 total yards per game over the last four games.
• The Hogs’ stable of tailbacks have combined for 12 100-yard rushing games through seven games of the season, including three backs over 100 yards vs. North Texas. The school record for combined 100-yard rushing games in a season is 13 (1975 and 2006).
• McFadden and Jones have combined to rush for 100 yards apiece in five of the Hogs’ seven games this season and nine times in their careers. McFadden has cracked the 100-yard barrier in six-of-seven games, while Jones has eclipsed 100 yards in five games and just missed the sixth with 96 yards at Alabama.
• Jones and McFadden also rank 12th and 20th respectively, in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision in all-purpose yards. Jones is averaging 176.0 all-purpose yards per game, while McFadden is totaling 160.71 per contest.
• McFadden also broke Arkansas’ career all-purpose yardage record vs. Auburn, passing Gary Anderson (4,535). McFadden now has 4,696 career all-purpose yards, which ranks sixth among active Bowl Subdivision players. Jones is third in career all-purpose yards at Arkansas with 4,341, which ranks eighth among active players.
• Jones has two kickoff returns for touchdowns this season on 90-yard and 82-yard bursts. He ranks fourth nationally in kickoff return average at 31.58 ypr. He currently leads the SEC in career kickoff return average at 28.4 yards per on 52 career returns.
• True freshman PK Alex Tejada is making a big impact early in their Razorback career. Tejada is 11 for 14 on field goal attempts and 31 of 33 on PATs. Tejada is 27th nationally in scoring at 9.14 points per game. He also ranks tied for 20th in the NCAA in field goals per game at 1.57. He is fourth in the SEC in field goals per game and third in scoring.
• Michael Grant is having an outstanding senior season at cornerback for the Razorbacks. He is tied for the NCAA lead with 1.86 passes defended per game. The mark also leads the SEC outright.
• Fellow cornerback Jerell Norton is making a name for himself as well. He is tied for third in the SEC, with teammate Matterral Richardson, with 1.43 passes defended per game. That ranks tied for 15th nationally in passes defended while Norton’s four interceptions, leads the Hogs, ranks second in the SEC and tied for 11th nationally.
• Andrew Davie became the first Razorback tight end to catch two touchdowns in a game since Jared Hicks caught two vs. Ole Miss on Nov. 13, 2004. Davie snagged two touchdown grabs last week at Ole Miss for his second and third TD catches of the season.
• The Razorback trio (McFadden, Jones and Luigs) was also honored by Phil Steele’s College Football as first-team midseason All-SEC selections. Senior offensive guard Robert Felton and senior cornerback Michael Grant earned second-team All-SEC accolades. Senior strong safety Matt Hewitt, senior offensive tackle Nate Garner and freshman kicker Alex Tejada were named to the third-team midseason all-conference listing.
• Malcolm Sheppard ranks seventh in the SEC and tied for 43rd nationally with an average of 1.21 tackles for loss per game. Sheppard has 9.0 TFL (-32) yards and a sack. He also ranks tied for third in the SEC with two fumble recoveries.
• Arkansas’ hogs up front on the offensive line have not only done a fantastic job opening holes for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, but they have been one of the best teams in the country at protecting the quarterback. The Hogs’ offensive line has allowed just 17 sacks in their last 21 games for an amazing average of just 0.81 per game.
• Arkansas ranks No. 1 in rushing offense in the SEC during Houston Nutt’s tenure (1998-2007). The Hogs have averaged 195.81 yards per game in Nutt’s 10-year tenure (23,106 yards in 118 games).
• The Hogs have scored 20 points or more in 88 of Houston Nutt’s 118 games (74.6 percent) as head coach.
• Arkansas has now scored in 142 consecutive games, a school record for scoring in the most consecutive games in team history. Arkansas has not been shut out since a 28-0 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 18, 1995.
THE McFADDEN REPORT:
• Darren McFadden extended his Arkansas’ career rushing record with 110-hard-fought yards at Ole Miss. He now has 3,692 yards rushing during his 32-game Razorback career.
• He also lengthened the Arkansas’ career all-purpose yards record against the Rebels. He now has 4,696 yards with Gary Anderson (4,535) in second and teammate Felix Jones in third place (4,341).
• McFadden has run for 932 yards on 169 carries and tallied seven rushing touchdowns this season. He equalled the school record with five-consecutive 100-yard rushing games (Jerry Eckwood, 1975) and has six on the season.
• He ranks second in career rushes at UA with 629. He passed Dickey Morton (595) vs. Auburn and now needs seven carries pass Ben Cowins (635) for the school record.
• His 133.14 ypg rushing average ranks seventh nationally, while 160.7 all-purpose yards per game ranks 20th nationally.
• The 100-yard rushing game vs. Ole Miss was the 18th of McFadden’s 32-game career in cardinal and white. He broke Ben Cowins’ (1975-78) previous school record of 16.
• McFadden connected for his fourth career passing touchdown on a 42-yard strike to freshman Crosby Tuck in the opener against Troy. The 42-yard pass was the longest completion of his career. He has now completed 9-of-13 career passes for 124 yards and four touchdowns. McFadden boasts a career passing efficiency rating of 235.6.
• McFadden has caught 10 passes this season for 71 yards. His three grabs vs. Alabama tied his career high for receptions in a game. He has 33 catches for 262 yards and a touchdown during his UA career.
• He has accounted for 974 yards of total offense and racked up 1,125 all-purpose yards through seven games this season.
• For all of your D-MAC related questions visit his official web site at 5DarrenMcFadden.com.
SERIES HISTORY: This weekend’s marks the first match up between Arkansas and Florida International. Florida International is Arkansas’ third Sun Belt opponent this season.
HOMECOMING: Arkansas will host Florida International in the 86th homecoming game in school history. The Razorbacks boast a 49-32-4 record (.614) in the previous 85 Homecoming games. Arkansas is 6-3 in homecoming games under Houston Nutt.
CRIP HALL AWARD: For the 57th consecutive year, the most outstanding Arkansas player in the homecoming game will be honored with the Crip Hall Award. End Frank Fischel of Helena, Ark., was awarded the first Crip Hall Award in 1950 for his efforts in a 9-6 loss to Rice. Linebacker Sam Olajubutu (LaGrange, Ga.) won the Crip Hall Award last season for his performance against Southeast Missouri. The award recipient is chosen by members of the Arkansas media corps covering the game.
FLORIDA HOGS: Arkansas boasts five players on its roster that hail from the Sunshine State. Michael Smith, Carlton Salters and Kareem Crowell are from Tallahassee, Walner Leandre from Tampa and Michael Agguirre from Ft. Lauderdale.
LEADING THE PACK: When it comes to rushing the ball, no team in the Southeastern Conference has done it more effectively in recent years than the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Hogs have led the SEC in rushing yardage in four of the last five seasons, including 2005 and 2006. And they are on their way once again in 2007 after racking up 2,052 yards (293.1 ypg) through seven games. Arkansas became the first team to pace the SEC in rushing four times in five seasons since Alabama led the league in four-consecutive seasons from 1971-74.
In 2007, the Hogs are fourth in the country in yards per carry as a team with 6.02 yards per tote. UA has tallied 200 or more rushing yards in 22 of its last 36 games dating back to the eighth game of the 2004 season. In addition, the Hogs earned 190 or more yards in two other games. That also includes eight games of 300 yards or more and two 400-yard-plus games.
The Hogs led the SEC in rushing in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006 with an average of 218.9, 241.9, 216.9 and 228.5 yards per game, respectively. Arkansas is attempting to become the first team to pace the SEC in rushing five times in six seasons since Ole Miss led the league in six-consecutive seasons from 1957-62.
2007 Rushing Leaders
Team Gms Att Net Avg. TDs Yds/pg
1. Navy 7 437 2401 5.49 23 343.00
2. West Virginia 7 342 2129 6.23 27 304.14
3. Oregon 7 345 2067 5.97 24 294.43
4. Arkansas 7 341 2052 6.02 16 293.14
5. Texas A&M 8 390 2081 5.34 25 260.13
McFADDEN & JONES FORM DYNAMIC DUO: The Arkansas tailback duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones are the most-productive rushing teammates in the country (among the NCAA top 100) in 2007, averaging 243.71 yards per game. McFadden ranks seventh nationally at 133.14 ypg while Jones is 21th, accounting for 110.57 ypg. The Oklahoma State combo of Dantrell Savage and Kendall Hunter are second at 206.19 yards per game.
Rushers (Individual Avg.)
Team Combined YPG
1. Darren McFadden (133.14) / Felix Jones (110.57) Arkansas 243.71
2. Dantrell Savage (124.33) / Kendall Hunter (81.86 Oklahoma State 206.19
3. Eugene Jarvis (137.88) / Julian Edelman (56.88) Kent State 194.76
4. Michael Desormeaux (110.38) / Tyrell Fenroy (77.14) Louisiana-Lafayette 187.52
SEC ELITE: Darren McFadden is quickly etching his name in the SEC record books among some of the best running backs the conference has ever produced. His 1,647 yards rushing ranks as the fifth-best total in a single season in the history of the Southeastern Conference. Herschel Walker’s (Georgia) 1,891 yards in 1981 leads the way. McFadden’s total is the most in the SEC since Bo Jackson (Auburn) rushed for 1,786 yards in 1985.
In 2005, McFadden became just the seventh freshman in league history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark in his first season. He joined Walker, Emmitt Smith (Florida), Reggie Cobb (Tennessee), Chuck Webb (Tennessee), Jamal Lewis (Tennessee) and Justin Vincent (LSU). His 1,113 yards was the sixth-best freshman rushing total in SEC history.
McFadden also ranks 10th in career rushing in the Southeastern Conference with 3,692 yards on the ground in just 32 games. He needs 140 yards to pass Auburn’s Carnell Williams. McFadden is also just 68 yards shy of 1,000 on the season, which would make him just the second running back in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
SEC’s Top 15 Career Rushing Totals
Yards Player, School (games) Years
1. 5,259 Herschel Walker, Georgia (33 games) 1980-82
2. 4,557 Kevin Faulk, LSU (41 games) 1995-98
3. 4,303 Bo Jackson, Auburn (38 games) 1982-85
4. 4,163 Errict Rhett, Florida (48 games) 1990-93
5. 4,050 Dalton Hilliard, LSU (44 games) 1982-85
6. 4,035 Charles Alexander, LSU (44 games) 1975-78
7. 3,928 Emmitt Smith, Florida (31 games) 1987-89
8. 3,835 Sonny Collins, Kentucky (41 games) 1972-75
9. 3,831 Carnell Williams, Auburn (42 games) 2001-04
10. 3,692 Darren McFadden (32 games) 2005-present
11. 3,565 Shaun Alexander, Alabama (42 games) 1996-99
12. 3,523 James Brooks, Auburn (38 games) 1977-80
13. 3,420 Bobby Humphrey, Alabama (35 games) 1985-88
14. 3,368 Joe Cribbs, Auburn (38 games) 1976-79
15. 3,333 Moe Williams, Kentucky (33 games) 1993-95
SEC’s Top 10 Single-Season Rushing Totals
Player, School (# rushes) Year Yards
1. Herschel Walker, Georgia (385 rushes) 1981 1,891
2. Bo Jackson, Auburn (278 rushes) 1985 1,786
3. Herschel Walker, Georgia (335 rushes) 1982 1,752
4. Charles Alexander, LSU (311 rushes) 1977 1,686
5. Darren McFadden, Arkansas (265 rushes) 2006 1,647
6. Herschel Walker, Georgia (274 rushes) 1980 1,616
7. Moe Williams, Kentucky (294 rushes) 1995 1,600
8. Emmitt Smith, Florida (284 rushes) 1989 1,599
9. Rudi Johnson, Auburn (324 rushes) 2000 1,567
10. Garrison Hearst, Georgia (228 rushes) 1992 1,547
FELIX THE CAT: Felix Jones had five 100-yard rushing games last season and has five 100-yard games this season with 129 vs. Troy, 133 vs. Kentucky, 132 vs. North Texas, 141 vs. Chattanooga and 101 at Ole Miss. Jones is currently 21st nationally and third in the SEC in rushing at 110.57 yards per game while leading the country in yards per carry at 9.56. His 12 100-yard career rushing games are third in school history. Jones’ 2,568 yards rushing is seventh in school history, while his 4,341 all-purpose yards is third.
Jones has also returned his third and fourth kickoff returns for touchdowns of his career with a 90-yard dash vs. Troy and an 82-yarder against Kentucky. He is fourth nationally in kickoff returns with a 31.58 ypr average and 12th in all-purpose yards with a 176.5 average.
Last season he rushed for 106 yards vs. Southeast Missouri State, 104 yards at then-No. 2 Auburn, a then-career-high 141 yards vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 137 yards vs. LSU and a career-high 150 yards vs. Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Jones finished second in the SEC and 34th nationally in rushing with 83.43 yards per game. He had a career-best 1,168 yards rushing that ranks seventh in school history on just 150 carries. Jones’ 7.58 yards per carry average led the SEC and ranked second in the country.
PROTECTING THE QB: The Arkansas offensive line has not only produced some of the best rushing numbers in college football over the past two seasons, but has also been outstanding at protecting the quarterback. The Hogs’ front line has allowed just 17 sacks over the last 21 games, dating back to the start of the 2006 season for an average of 0.809 per game. Rutgers is the only team to better that number with just 13 sacks in the last 21 games for a 0.619 per game average. Arkansas is currently tied for 10th nationally in sacks allowed with a 1.00 per game.
TRIPLE-DIGIT RUSHERS: The Razorbacks’ rushing success has resulted in 12 100-yard rushing efforts in the first seven games of the 2007 season.
Junior Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden has rushed for at least 100 yards in six games with 151 vs. Troy, 195 at Alabama, 173 against Kentucky, 138 in the first half vs. North Texas, 122 vs. Chattanooga and 110 at Ole Miss.
Felix Jones has five 100-yard rushing efforts with 129 yards against Troy, 133 yards vs. Kentucky, 132 vs. North Texas, a season-high 141 vs. Chattanooga and 101 at Ole Miss. He came up just four yards shy of 100 at Alabama. Junior-college transfer Brandon Barnett registered his first career 100-yard rushing game vs. North Texas with 105 yards on 16 carries.
The Razorbacks combined for 13 100-yard rushing games last season as McFadden produced seven, Jones five and Michael Smith one.
Most Combined 100-Yard Rushing Games in a Season
13 – 2006
13 – 1975
12 – 2007
11 – 2003
9 – 2005
9 – 1977
TRIO OF 100-YARD RUSHERS: A trio of Razorbacks found plenty of running room in Arkansas’ win over North Texas. The Hogs’ tailback tandem of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were joined by junior-college transfer Brandon Barnett for a trio of 100-yard rushing efforts.
McFadden reeled off his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 16th of his career. The junior from Little Rock rolled up 138 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
Jones notched his third 100-yard game of the season with 132 yards on seven-impressive carries. His efforts were highlighted by a sideline-stepping 71-yard-touchdown run. Barnett received his first rushing attempts in a Razorback uniform and ripped off 105 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Peyton Hillis wasn’t far of the 100-yard mark with 66 yards on 11 carries.
The last time Arkansas boasted three 100-yard rushers was in the 2005 season opener when Jones (137), Hillis (135) and De’Arrius Howard (120) accomplished the feat. UA also did it in 2001’s seven-overtime win at Ole Miss when Matt Jones (110), Cedric Cobbs (100) and Fed Talley (113) did it. The only other time the Hogs have had three 100-yard rushers was in Arkansas’ 1993 win over LSU in Baton Rouge. In the victory, Oscar Malone (143), Carlton Calvin (123) and Marius Johnson (106) turned the trick.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: PK Alex Tejada made quite an impression during his first six games in cardinal and white. The Springdale, Ark., native is 11 for 13 on field goals attempts and is 31 of 33 on extra point attempts to account for 64 points. He currently ranks tied for 20th in the country in field goals per game (1.57) and ranks 27th nationally in scoring (9.14). In the Troy game, he became the first Razorback since Chris Balseiro to make four field goals in a game (vs. Missouri, 2003 Independence Bowl, Dec. 31, 2003). Tejada is 4 for 4 from 20-29 yards, 5 for 5 from 30-39 yards and 2 for 5 from 40 and beyond.
Tejada’s 47-yard field goal vs. Chattanooga was a career long and the longest for any Razorback since David Carlton hit from 47 against Tennessee on Oct. 5, 2002. The last field goal longer than Tejada’s 47-yarder was Matt Swartz’s 49-yarder against Southwest Missouri State on Sept. 2, 2000.
100-YARD RETURN: Jerell Norton’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against North Texas is a UA school record, surpassing Orlando Watters 99-yard return vs. LSU in 1993. It is just the 11th 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in SEC history and just the second since 1968. Prior to Norton’s return, LSU’s Greg Jackson had the last 100-yard interception return in the SEC in 1988. It is the fourth 100-yard interception return in the bowl subdivision this season and just the 79th in NCAA history.
Norton ranks tied for 11th nationally with .57 interceptions per game (four total) and tied for 15th in passes defended with 1.43 per game.
BIG NUMBERS AGAINST THE MEAN GREEN: The 66 points scored against North Texas was the sixth-highest figure in school history and the most in a non-overtime game since 1928 (73-0 win over Texas Southwestern). The 45-first-half points were the most for a Arkansas team in the Houston Nutt era (1998-present). UA also generated 713 yards of total offense against the Mean Green, which is the second-highest figure in school history. The record is 859 yards against Pittsburg (Kan.) State in 1936. The 713 yards of total offense was also the third-highest total in college football this season.
PROTECT THIS HOUSE: Home field advantage has been good to the Razorbacks, especially during the Houston Nutt Era. Arkansas is tied with Florida for the second-most SEC home wins since 1998 with 50. The Hogs are 50-17 (.746) in games played at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas is 21-2 in Little Rock and 29-15 in Fayetteville in that 10-year span under Coach Nutt. (See chart at bottom right of page 4).
STILL ATOP THE BOWL LIST: Arkansas is atop the bowl appearance list for SEC Western Division teams since 1998. The Razorbacks have made seven bowl appearances since Houston Nutt took over the reins in Fayetteville, including the 2007 Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Arkansas has made two appearances in the Cotton Bowl (2000 and 2002) and the Citrus/Capital One Bowl (1999 and 2007) and one in the Las Vegas Bowl (2000), the Music City Bowl (2002) and the Independence Bowl (2003).
Although Arkansas has a rich bowl tradition, in the eight seasons prior to Nutt’s arrival the Razorbacks had earned only two bowl berths.
DENTING THE SCOREBOARD: Arkansas has now scored in 142 consecutive games, a school record for scoring in the most consecutive games in team history. Arkansas has not been shut out since a 28-0 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 18, 1995.
UA ranks fourth among league schools in the longest active scoring streak. Florida ranks first in the SEC earning points in 235 consecutive contests.
RACKING UP 20: The Razorbacks have made a routine of racking up 20 points since Houston Nutt arrived in Fayetteville. Arkansas has scored 20 points or more in 88 of Nutt’s 118 games (.746) as head coach. Arkansas is 40-13 mark (.755) in game where they score 20 points or more over the last seven seasons.
100 AND COUNTING FOR NUTT: The Razorbacks’ game against Vanderbilt last fall was the 100th in the 10-year career of Hog boss Houston Nutt. He owns a 71-47 (.602) career record at Arkansas. Nutt is just the third coach in school history to coach 100 games (currently 118) at the helm of the Razorback program. Fred Thomsen (1929-41) was the first, posting a 56-61-10 (.480) record while Frank Broyles (1958-76) is the school’s all-time leader with 207 games coached (144-58-5 [.708]) in 19 seasons.
Coach Total Games Seasons
Frank Broyles 207 19 (1958-1976)
Fred Thomsen 127 13 (1929-41)
Houston Nutt 118 10th (1998-present)
Nutt’s tenure at Arkansas is also a rare feat for any SEC coach. Only three coaches hired in the SEC since 1990 have enjoyed a stint of 100 games at the same school. Nutt became the fourth against Vanderbilt last season.
Coach, School (Years) Games
Philip Fulmer, Tennessee (1992-current) 181
Jackie Sherrill, Miss. State (1991-2003) 153
Steve Spurrier, Florida (1990-2001) 150
Houston Nutt, Arkansas (1998-current) 118
HEISMAN No. 2: Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden was the first Heisman Memorial Trophy finalist in school history. The then sophomore finished second to Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, becoming only the fifth underclassman to ever finish in the top two. McFadden earned 45 first-place votes and 878 total points, edging out Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn (13 first-place votes, 782 total). McFadden captured 298 second-place votes with Quinn garnering 276. Below is a breakdown of the voting.
Heisman Trophy Voting
Player, School 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Troy Smith, Ohio State 801 62 13 2,540
Darren McFadden, Arkansas 45 298 147 878
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 13 276 191 782
Steve Slaton, West Virginia 6 51 94 214
Michael Hart, Michigan 5 58 79 210
Colt Brennan, Hawaii 6 44 96 202
ALL-AMERICANS ALL AROUND: Arkansas had four players earn All-America honors following the 2006 season, including Darren McFadden who was a unanimous selection. Joining McFadden was offensive lineman Jonathan Luigs, who was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the top center in the nation. Tony Ugoh was a second-team selection at left tackle and Stephen Parker garnered second-team honors at left guard. In 2005, Felix Jones became the first UA freshman to earn first-team All-America honors when he was selected as a kickoff-return specialist.
MARVELOUS MONK: At 6-6, Marcus Monk has stood out since the day he stepped foot on campus. He led all Southeastern Conference freshmen in receiving in 2004 and set a school record for freshman receiving along the way. Monk broke Richard Smith’s UA record (33) for receptions by a freshman when he hauled in 37 balls for 569 yards and six touchdowns. He tied for the team lead in catches and garnered freshman All-SEC honors for his efforts. As a sophomore in 2005, Monk caught 35 passes for a team-high 476 yards and seven touchdowns.
In 2006, Monk produced the best numbers of his career with 50 catches for a career-high 962 yards. He caught a school record 11 touchdown passes and averaged 19.2 yards per catch, which was the second-best in the SEC. He was ninth in the league in yards per game (68.71). Monk’s 962 yards is the third-most in a single season in school history.
Monk had caught at least one pass in each of his 36 career games before playing just one snap vs. Auburn last week.
MONK ATOP CAREER TD CHART: Marcus Monk’s touchdown catch against Florida in last year’s SEC Championship game was his 24th career TD reception. That moved him ahead of Anthony Lucas on the all-time school chart. Lucas had 23 career TD grabs from 1995-99.
Arkansas’ All-Time Touchdown Receptions List
1. Marcus Monk 24
2. Anthony Lucas 23
3. Richard Smith 17
Arkansas’ Single-Season Touchdown Receptions List
1. Marcus Monk, 2006 11
2. Anthony Lucas, 1998 10
3. Derek Russell, 1990 8
Chuck Dicus, 1968 8
5. 7 tied with 7
HOG WILD IN OVERTIME: Arkansas is 6-1 in overtime games dating back to the 1996, which was the first season overtime was used to break ties at the end of regulation. The six wins is tied for the third most overtime wins in NCAA history (Missouri is 8-3). The .857 winning percentage, among teams with at least five overtime games, ranks third to Nebraska, South Florida and Michigan’s 5-0 records.
Download: Arkansas Game Notes – FIU.pdf
