2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.

2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record8–5 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDavid Lee (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorReggie Herring (3rd season; regular season)
Louis Campbell (interim; bowl game)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDonald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
War Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2006
2008 →
2007 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 12 Tennessee xy   6 2     10 4  
No. 2 Georgia x%   6 2     11 2  
No. 13 Florida   5 3     9 4  
South Carolina   3 5     6 6  
Kentucky   3 5     8 5  
Vanderbilt   2 6     5 7  
Western Division
No. 1 LSU x$#   6 2     12 2  
No. 15 Auburn   5 3     9 4  
Arkansas   4 4     8 5  
Mississippi State   4 4     8 5  
Alabama   4 4     7 6  
Ole Miss   0 8     3 9  
Championship: LSU 21, Tennessee 14
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Alabama had 5 victories vacated by the NCAA in 2010. As such, the official record for Alabama is 2–6 (1–4).
Rankings from AP Poll

Running back Darren McFadden entered his name into the 2008 NFL draft after the 2007 season. He left Arkansas holding most of the school's rushing records, to include rushing yards in a single game (321), a season (1,830), and a career (4,590). The single game total is also an SEC record. McFadden became only the second player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, along with former Hog Ben Cowins. McFadden also became the second player in SEC history with three straight 1,000 yard seasons, alongside Herschel Walker.

Pre-season

edit

Ranking

edit

The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team was selected in the top 25 in several pre-season polls.

Pre-season coaching changes

edit
  • Due to plans for David Lee to be hired as its co-offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn departed to Tulsa. Malzahn's departure led to Lee being named the sole offensive coordinator.[1][2][3][4]
  • Louis Campbell was previously the secondary coach, but was moved off the field after being named assistant athletic director for administrative services.[5]
  • Alex Wood was previously the quarterbacks coach but was moved to wide receivers coach.[5]
  • Chris Vaughn was named the safeties coach and will continue his role as the director of on-campus recruiting.[5]
  • Due to Danny Nutt's resignation as the running backs coach because of a recurrence of bleeding from his brain stem, the University of Arkansas has hired Tim Horton as its running backs coach.[6][7]

Pre-season award watches

edit

Pre-season All-SEC Team

edit

First Team

edit
  • C Jonathan Luigs[16]
  • RB Darren McFadden[16]
  • RB/RS Felix Jones[16]
  • WR Marcus Monk[16]

Season

edit

Schedule

edit
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 16:00 pmTroy*No. 21W 46–2673,926
September 155:45 pmat AlabamaNo. 16ESPNL 38–4192,138
September 225:00 pmNo. 23 Kentucky
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPN2L 29–4274,015
September 296:00 pmNorth Texas*
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
W 66–766,343
October 66:00 pmChattanooga*W 34–1554,836
October 136:45 pmNo. 25 Auburn
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPNL 7–972,463
October 201:00 pmat Ole MissW 44–852,671
October 271:00 pmFIU* 
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
W 58–1060,750
November 37:00 pmNo. 23 South Carolina
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPN2W 48–3670,742
November 1011:30 amat No. 22 TennesseeLFSL 13–34104,459
November 171:00 pmMississippi State
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Little Rock, AR
W 45–3155,185
November 231:30 pmat No. 1 LSUCBSW 50–48 3OT92,606
January 110:30 amvs. No. 7 Missouri*No. 25FOXL 7–3873,114

Post-season coaching changes

edit
  • Head coach Houston Nutt resigned from his position on November 26, 2007. With Nutt's resignation, the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator Reggie Herring was named the interim head coach for the Razorbacks' bowl game.[17]
  • Due to Herring becoming the interim head coach, Louis Campbell coordinated the defense and Pierre Brown coached the linebackers in the Razorbacks' bowl game.[18]
  • On December 11, 2007, former Louisville Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino was introduced as the new coach.[19] However, Petrino handled recruiting for the Razorbacks for the 2008 season and did not coach the bowl game.
  • Chris Vaughn resigned from his position to head to Ole Miss. Because of this, Louis Campbell also coached the safeties in their bowl game.

Awards

edit

All-SEC Team

edit

First Team

edit
  • C Jonathan Luigs[27]
  • OL Robert Felton[27]
  • RB Darren McFadden[27]
  • Kick Return Felix Jones[27]

Second Team

edit
  • OL Nate Garner[27]
  • OL Mitch Petrus[27]
  • DT Marcus Harrison
  • S Matt Hewitt
  • DB Michael Grant[27]
  • RB Felix Jones[27]

Freshman Team

edit

Cotton Bowl Classic

edit

On December 2, 2007, the Arkansas Razorbacks accepted the invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers.[29] Arkansas lost to Missouri, 38–7, and their all-time record in the Cotton Bowl Classic fell to 3–7–1.

Game summaries

edit

Troy

edit

Last meeting: November 2, 2002, W 23–0

1 2 3 4 Total
Trojans 0 17 3 6 26
#20 Razorbacks 6 17 14 9 46


Alabama

edit

Last Meeting: September 23, 2006, W 24–23 (2OT)

1 2 3 4 Total
#16 Razorbacks 0 10 7 21 38
Crimson Tide 21 0 10 10 41

Alabama built an early 21-point lead but had to mount a come-from-behind drive in the final two minutes of the game in order to capture a 41–38 victory.[30]

Kentucky

edit

Last Meeting: November 1, 2003, W 71–63 (7 OT)

1 2 3 4 Total
#23 Wildcats 7 7 7 21 42
Razorbacks 10 10 0 9 29


North Texas

edit

Last Meeting: September 20, 2003, W 31–7

1 2 3 4 Total
Mean Green 0 7 0 0 7
Razorbacks 24 21 7 14 66


Chattanooga

edit

Last Meeting: First Meeting

1 2 3 4 Total
Mocs 2 7 6 0 15
Razorbacks 14 3 7 10 34


Auburn

edit

Last Meeting: October 7, 2006, W 27–10

1 2 3 4 Total
#25 Tigers 3 0 0 6 9
Razorbacks 0 0 0 7 7


Ole Miss

edit

Last Meeting: October 21, 2006, W 38–3

1 2 3 4 Total
Razorbacks 14 7 7 16 44
Rebels 0 0 0 8 8


Florida International

edit

Last Meeting: First Meeting

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Panthers 0 10 0 0 10
Razorbacks 10 21 10 17 58


South Carolina

edit

Last Meeting: November 4, 2006, W 26–20

1 2 3 4 Total
#25 Gamecocks 3 7 17 9 36
Razorbacks 21 7 14 6 48
 
The Arkansas backs warming up before their contest with South Carolina.

Tennessee

edit

Last Meeting: November 11, 2006, W 31–14

1 2 3 4 Total
Razorbacks 3 0 3 7 13
#24 Volunteers 10 10 7 7 34


Mississippi State

edit

Last Meeting: November 18, 2006, W 28–14

1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 7 0 10 14 31
Razorbacks 0 24 7 14 45


Last Meeting: November 24, 2006, L 26–31

1 2 3 4OT2OT3OT Total
Razorbacks 0 7 14 7778 50
#1 Tigers 6 0 15 7776 48


Missouri (Cotton Bowl Classic)Last Meeting: December 31, 2003, W 27–14

edit
1 2 3 4 Total
#24 Razorbacks 0 0 7 0 7
#7 Tigers 7 7 14 10 38


Rankings

edit
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP211816RVRVRVRVRVRVRV25RV
Coaches Poll201816RVRVRVRV2524RV
HarrisNot releasedRVRVRVRVRVRVRV25Not released
BCSNot releasedNot released

Personnel

edit

Roster

edit
2007 Arkansas Razorbacks roster
2007 Final Roster from ArkansasRazorbacks

Wide receivers

  • -- Nigel Chandler –   Freshman
  • 1 Reggie Fish – Junior
  • 2 London Crawford – Sophomore
  • 4 Mike Rhim – Senior
  • 14 Joe Chaisson – Freshman
  • 15 Andrew Norman –   Freshman
  • 18 Robert Johnson – Senior
  • 19 Carlton Salters –   Freshman
  • 28 Chris Baker – Senior
  • 81 Marques Wade –   Freshman
  • 84 Crosby Tuck – Freshman
  • 85 Marcus MonkSenior
  • 87 John Aaron Rees – Junior
  • 88 Lucas Miller – Sophomore
  • 89 Brian Langford – Freshman

Tight ends

  • -- Blane Gibson – Sophomore
  • 45 D.J. Williams – Freshman
  • 80 Grant Freeman – Freshman
  • 80 Joseph Henry – Sophomore
  • 82 Andrew Davie – Sophomore
  • 83 Lance Thompson – Junior
  • 86 Ben Cleveland – Sophomore
  • 89 Jake Bequette – Freshman

Offensive line

  • -- Clay Bemberg –   Freshman
  • -- Morris Carter – Freshman
  • -- Joel Scott – Freshman
  • 56 Colin Tucker – Sophomore
  • 58 Joey Crossland – Sophomore
  • 60 Seth Oxner – Freshman
  • 61 Robert Felton – Senior
  • 62 Michael Aguirre – Sophomore
  • 63 Jonathan Luigs – Junior
  • 64 Mike Moffitt – Senior
  • 64 Grant Cook – Freshman
  • 65 DeMarcus Love –   Freshman
  • 66 Mitch PetrusJunior
  • 70 Cody Standridge –   Freshman
  • 71 Wade Grayson – Freshman
  • 72 Cody Green – Junior
  • 73 Ray Dominguez –   Freshman
  • 74 Kareem Crowell – Freshman
  • 75 Nate Garner – Senior
  • 76 Jim Hart –   Freshman
  • 78 Jose Valdez – Junior
 

Quarterbacks

  • -- Alex Mortensen – Junior
  • 4 Brian Reader – Freshman
  • 10 Nathan Dick – Freshman
  • 11 Casey DickJunior
  • 15 Clark Irwin- Sophomore
  • 16 Nathan Emert – Junior
  • 17 Austin Tucker – Freshman

Tailbacks

  • -- Juwan Franklin – Freshman
  • -- Michael Harris – Freshman
  • -- Cliff Moore – Freshman
  • 5 Darren McFaddenJunior
  • 6 Brandon Barnett – Sophomore
  • 20 Torian Wilkins – Freshman
  • 21 Michael Smith – Sophomore
  • 25 Felix JonesJunior

Fullbacks

  • 9 Scott Bo – Freshman
  • 22 Peyton HillisSenior
  • 33 Farod Jackson – Senior
  • 38 Darcel Johnson – Freshman
  • 43 Robert Salinas – Sophomore
  • 43 Hezekiah Smith – Sophomore

Defensive backs

  • -- Seth Armbrust – Sophomore
  • -- Evan Bettis –   Freshman
  • -- Darrell Glasper – Freshman
  • -- Ryan Jones –   Freshman
  • -- Sean PenixJunior
  • -- Orion Runyan – Freshman
  • 2 Kenny Stockalper – Freshman
  • 3 Kevin Woods – Senior
  • 8 Michael Grant – Senior
  • 9 Matterral RichardsonSenior
  • 17 Shedrick Johnson – Junior
  • 20 Dallas Washington – Junior
  • 23 Greg Gatson – Freshman
  • 24 Isaac Madison – Freshman
  • 26 Ramon Broadway –   Freshman
  • 27 Jerell Norton – Sophomore
  • 29 Jamar Love – Junior
  • 31 Matt Hewitt – Senior
  • 32 Bret Harris – Freshman
  • 35 Rashaad Johnson – Sophomore
  • 36 Walner Leandre – Junior
  • 39 Matt Harris – Sophomore
 

Linebackers

  • -- John Durmon – Sophomore
  • -- Daniel Meador –   Freshman
  • -- Josh Minde – Freshman
  • 30 Weston DacusSenior
  • 34 Jerry Franklin – Freshman
  • 37 Jermaine Love – Freshman
  • 38 Elston Forte – Junior
  • 40 Tim Dial – Freshman
  • 41 Ryan Powers – Freshman
  • 42 Chip Gregory –   Freshman
  • 44 Freddie Fairchild – Sophomore
  • 45 Aaron Fenton –   Freshman
  • 46 Freddy Burton – Freshman
  • 47 Wendel Davis – Sophomore
  • 48 Desmond Williams – Junior
  • 49 Mark Bonner – Junior

Defensive line

  • -- Chris Berezansky – Sophomore
  • 53 Adrian Davis – Sophomore
  • 54 Adrian Campbell – Freshman
  • 55 Marcus Harrison – Senior
  • 57 Donnell Sanders –   Freshman
  • 59 Van Stumon –   Freshman
  • 89 Charles Alexander – Junior
  • 90 Ernest Mitchell – Junior
  • 91 Fred Bledsoe – Senior
  • 92 Brandon Lampkin – Freshman
  • 93 Marcus Shavers – Junior
  • 94 Chris Wade – Senior
  • 95 Patrick Jones – Freshman
  • 96 Malcolm SheppardSophomore
  • 97 Antwain Robinson – Junior
  • 98 Cord Gray – Junior
  • 99 Damario Ambrose – Freshman

Punters

  • -- Cody Williams – Freshman
  • 4 Mitchell Smith – Sophomore
  • 50 Jeremy Davis – Junior

Kickers

  • -- Joel Hall – Sophomore
  • -- Tyler Steelman – Sophomore
  • 7 Alex Tejada – Freshman
  • 52 Brian Vavra – Junior

Long snappers

  • 51 Rhett Richardson – Freshman
  • 53 Derrell Hartwick – Freshman
  • 56 Barrett Reynolds –   Freshman

Coaching staff

edit
2007 Arkansas Razorbacks coaching staff

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – Reggie Herring
  • Defensive coordinator – Louis Campbell
  • Linebackers – Reggie Herring
  • Linebackers – Pierre Brown
  • Safeties – Chris Vaughn §
  • Safeties – Louis Campbell
  • Cornerbacks – Bobby Allen
  • Defensive line – Tracy Rocker
 

Special teams coaches

Administrative staff

  • Athletic director (AD) – Frank Broyles
  • Assistant ad for internal operations – Louis Campbell
  • Strength & conditioning – Don Decker
  • Graduate assistant – Jeff Norrid
  • Graduate assistant – Courtney Sanders
  • Recruiting coordinator – Chris Vaughn §
  • Director of high school relations – Clifton Ealy
  • Director of athletic training – Dean Weber
  • Equipment manager – Tim Cheney

§ Resigned before AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic

Promoted for AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic

References

edit
  1. ^ Schad, Joe (January 15, 2007). "Arkansas' Malzahn headed to Tulsa; Mustain next?". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  2. ^ "David Lee Named Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach". Hogwired. January 17, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  3. ^ Report: Malzahn Leaving Arkansas For Tulsa | RazorBloggers Network
  4. ^ The Morning News: News : Lee Hired As Offensive Coordinator At Arkansas[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b c "Campbell Named Assistant AD and Vaughn Returns to Football Field". Hogwired. February 21, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  6. ^ "Health issues force Danny Nutt to resign as Arkansas RBs coach". USA Today. July 17, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
  7. ^ "Tim Horton in as Arkansas RBs coach". USA Today. July 18, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2007.
  8. ^ Buchanan, Olin (April 27, 2007). "The 2007 Contenders: Outland/Lombardi Awards". Rivals. Archived from the original on January 26, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  9. ^ "Jonathan Luigs Named to Outland Trophy Watch List". Hogwired. June 12, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  10. ^ Buchanan, Olin (April 5, 2007). "Heisman contenders all chasing McFadden". Rivals. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  11. ^ a b c "Trio of Razorbacks Named to Maxwell Award Watch List". Hogwired. June 25, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  12. ^ Buchanan, Olin (March 12, 2007). "The 2007 Contenders: Doak Walker Award". Rivals. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  13. ^ "McFadden Named to Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List". Hogwired. August 22, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
  14. ^ "McFadden and Jones Named to 2007 Doak Walker Award Watch List". Hogwired. August 28, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  15. ^ "Jeremy Davis Named to 2007 Ray Guy Award Watch List". Hogwired. September 19, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  16. ^ a b c d "2007 SEC Football Media Days Voting Announced". SEC Sports. July 27, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  17. ^ "Houston Nutt Steps Down as Razorback Football Coach". Hogwired. November 26, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  18. ^ "Reggie Herring Press Conference – Bowl Season". Hogwired. November 28, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  19. ^ "Bobby Petrino Named Razorback Football Coach". Hogwired. December 11, 2007. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2007.
  20. ^ "Razorback Jonathan Luigs Wins Rimington Trophy". Hogwired. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  21. ^ "Darren McFadden Wins Second-Straight Doak Walker Award". Hogwired. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  22. ^ "Arkansas' McFadden named Walter Camp Player of the Year". CBS Sports. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  23. ^ "Florida QB Tebow is first underclassman to win Heisman". ESPN. December 8, 2007. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  24. ^ "Darren McFadden One of Three Finalists for Maxwell Award". Hogwired. November 19, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  25. ^ "McFadden, Jones Named Doak Walker Award Semifinalists". Hogwired. November 13, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  26. ^ "Farod Jackson Named Draddy Trophy Semifinalist". Hogwired. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "2007 All-SEC Football Team Announced". SEC Sports. December 4, 2007. Archived from the original on December 8, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  28. ^ a b c d "2007 SEC Football All-Freshman Team Announced". SEC Sports. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  29. ^ "Razorbacks Accept Cotton Bowl Invitation to Play Missouri". Hogwired. December 2, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
  30. ^ "Caddell TD caps wild finish as Bama upsets Arkansas". ESPNU.com. The Disney Company. September 15, 2007. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2007.