The 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Razorbacks were led by fourth year head coach Bobby Petrino and played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and two at War Memorial Stadium . They were a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference . They finished the season with an 11–2 overall record, 6–2 in SEC West Division play, finishing in 3rd place with losses to LSU and Alabama , the two teams that played in the BCS National Championship Game. They were invited to the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic and defeated Kansas State 29–16. The win capped off only the third 11-win season in Arkansas' 119-year football history. They also finished fifth in the final AP Poll—their highest national ranking since finishing third in 1977 . Tyler Wilson became the first Arkansas QB to be voted 1st Team All-SEC. WR Jarius Wright and DE Jake Bequette were also named 1st Team All-SEC. WR Joe Adams was also placed on the 1st Team All-SEC squad, as well as being named a consensus 1st team All-American as a punt returner, and won the inaugural Jet Award given to the nation's best return specialist.
Quick Facts Arkansas Razorbacks football, Cotton Bowl Classic champion ...
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More information Conf, Overall ...
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Although this season was very successful, this would ultimately be Petrino's final season as head coach at Arkansas, as he was fired in the offseason. A motorcycle accident on April 1, 2012 led to the discovery that he had covered up an extramarital affair with a member of his staff, and that Petrino had hired the young lady in question over several other applicants for the position. It was also revealed that he paid her money as a "gift", and then lied about the entire incident to then Athletic Director Jeff Long , prompting Long to release Petrino with cause.
[1]
More information Date, Time ...
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 3 6:00 pm Missouri State * No. 15 PPV W 51–770,607
September 10 6:00 pm New Mexico * No. 14 ESPNU W 52–352,606
September 17 6:30 pm Troy * No. 14 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR CSS W 38–2869,861
September 24 2:30 pm at No. 3 Alabama No. 14 CBS L 14–38101,821
October 1 11:00 am vs. No. 14 Texas A&M * No. 18 ESPN W 42–3869,838
October 8 6:00 pm No. 15 Auburn No. 10 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR ESPN W 38–1474,191
October 22 11:21 am at Ole Miss No. 10 SECN W 29–2457,951
October 29 11:21 am at Vanderbilt No. 8 SECN W 31–2833,247
November 5 6:15 pm No. 10 South Carolina No. 8 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR ESPN W 44–2873,804
November 12 5:00 pm Tennessee No. 8 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR ESPN2 W 49–772,103
November 19 2:30 pm Mississippi State No. 6 War Memorial Stadium Little Rock, AR CBS W 44–1755,761
November 25 1:30 pm at No. 1 LSU No. 3 CBS L 17–4193,108
January 6 7:00 pm vs. No. 11 Kansas State * No. 7 FOX W 29–1680,956
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
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Coaching staff
2011 Arkansas Razorbacks coaching staff
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Defensive coordinator/secondary – Willy Robinson
Linebackers – Reggie Johnson
Defensive tackles – Bobby Allen
Defensive ends – Steve Caldwell
Graduate assistant – Brandon Sharp
Special teams
Administrative staff
Athletic director (AD) – Jeff Long
Director of high school relations – Kevin Peoples
Director of on-campus recruiting/eligibility coordinator – Dann Kabala
Director of football operations – Mark Robinson
Strength and conditioning – Jason Veltkamp
More information Week, Poll ...
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP 15 14 14 14 18 10 10 10 8 8 8 6 3 6 7 5 Coaches 14 13 13 12 18 12 11 10 8 8 8 6 3 10 7 5 Harris Not released 11 10 9 8 8 6 3 9 7 Not released BCS Not released 9 10 7 8 6 3 8 6 Not released
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Missouri State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Missouri State
0
0 7 0
7
• Arkansas
20
10 14 7
51
Scoring summary 1 10:32 ARK Jarius Wright 33-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 7–0
1 7:52 ARK Joe Adams 61-yard punt return (kick failed)ARK 13–0
1 0:51 ARK Kody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 20–0
2 5:01 ARK Chris Gragg 3-yard pass from Brandon Mitchell (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 27–0
2 0:14 ARK Zach Hocker 32-yard field goal ARK 30–0
3 6:17 ARK Jarius Wright 29-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 37–0
3 4:15 ARK Joe Adams 69-yard punt return (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 44–0
3 0:45 MSU Jermain Saffold 33-yard pass from Kierra Harris (Austin Witmer kick) ARK 44–7
4 12:20 ARK Kody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 51–7
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[3]
New Mexico
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
New Mexico
3
0 0 0
3
• Arkansas
14
17 7 14
52
Scoring summary 1 13:03 ARK Jarius Wright 12-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 7–0
1 4:57 NM James Aho 47-yard field goal ARK 7–3
1 4:42 ARK Marquel Wade 85-yard kickoff return (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 14–3
2 5:38 ARK Zach Hocker 24-yard field goal ARK 17–3
2 2:14 ARK Kody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 24–3
2 0:17 ARK Tyler Wilson 7-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 31–3
3 9:42 ARK Kody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 38–3
4 12:00 ARK Cobi Hamilton 54-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 45–3
4 4:28 ARK Brandon Mitchell 14-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 52–3
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[4]
Troy
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Troy
0
7 14 7
28
• Arkansas
14
10 7 7
38
Scoring summary 1 13:09 ARK Ronnie Wingo Jr. 22-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 7–0
1 6:00 ARK Ronnie Wingo Jr. 21-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 14–0
2 13:56 ARK Kody Walker 3-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 21–0
2 6:41 ARK Zach Hocker 22-yard field goal ARK 24–0
2 0:07 TROY Eric Thomas 3-yard pass from Corey Robinson (Michael Taylor kick) ARK 24–7
3 7:28 ARK Ronnie Wingo Jr. 6-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 31–7
3 6:40 TROY Justin Albert 32-yard pass from Corey Robinson (Michael Taylor kick) ARK 31–14
3 6:12 TROY LaDarrius Madden 53-yard interception return (Michael Taylor kick) ARK 31–21
4 14:09 ARK Joe Adams 56-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 38–21
4 0:28 TROY Eric Thomas 24-yard pass from Corey Robinson (Michael Taylor kick) ARK 38–28
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[5]
Alabama
More information Total ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Arkansas
7
0 7 0
14
• Alabama
7
10 21 0
38
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The Arkansas offense in the huddle during their game against Alabama.
Texas A&M
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Texas A&M
14
21 0 3
38
• Arkansas
7
10 10 15
42
Scoring summary 1 12:48 A&M Christine Michael 48-yard run (Randy Bullock kick) A&M 7–0
1 8:45 A&M Christine Michael 4-yard run (Randy Bullock kick) A&M 14–0
1 2:26 ARK Jarius Wright 68-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)A&M 14–7
2 10:53 A&M Cyrus Gray 1-yard run (Randy Bullock kick) A&M 21–7
2 9:09 ARK Broderick Green 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) A&M 21–14
2 7:05 A&M Christine Michael 29-yard run (Randy Bullock kick) A&M 28–14
2 3:05 ARK Zach Hocker 26-yard field goal A&M 28–17
2 0:09 A&M Cyrus Gray 4-yard run (Randy Bullock kick) A&M 35–17
3 11:44 ARK Zach Hocker 32-yard field goal A&M 35–20
3 7:29 ARK Ronnie Wingo Jr. 13-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) A&M 35–27
4 11:00 ARK Jarius Wright recovered fumble in end zone (Tyler Wilson run) Tied 35–35
4 4:22 A&M Randy Bullock 23-yard field goal A&M 38–35
4 1:41 ARK Broderick Green 3-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 42–38
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[6]
On September 25, 2011 (six days prior to the game) Texas A&M announced that it would once again become conference mates with Arkansas, by joining the Southeastern Conference as a full member beginning in 2012.
Near the end of the game, Arkansas fans acknowledged A&M's announcement by appearing on the Cowboys Stadium jumbotron with a large sign saying "Welcome to the SEC".
Auburn
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Auburn
14
0 0 0
14
• Arkansas
7
14 7 10
38
Scoring summary 1 9:56 AUB Michael Dyer 55-yard run (Cody Parkey kick)AUB 7–0
1 6:53 ARK Broderick Green 6-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) Tied 7–7
1 0:02 AUB Kiehl Frazier 7-yard run (Cody Parkey kick) AUB 14–7
2 9:36 ARK Tyler Wilson 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)Tied 14–14
2 4:23 ARK Jarius Wright 5-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 21–14
3 7:43 ARK Joe Adams 92-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 28–14
4 12:10 ARK Zach Hocker 36-yard field goal ARK 31–14
4 5:50 ARK Dennis Johnson 18-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 38–14
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[7]
Ole Miss
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
• Arkansas
0
7 19 3
29
Ole Miss
3
14 0 7
24
Scoring summary 1 3:43 MISS Bryson Rose 43-yard field goal MISS 3–0
2 14:50 MISS Donte Moncrief 31-yard pass from Randall Mackey (Bryson Rose kick)MISS 10–0
2 6:42 MISS Randall Mackey 3-yard run (Bryson Rose kick) MISS 17–0
2 5:11 ARK Dennis Johnson 52-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) MISS 17–7
3 11:55 ARK Zach Hocker 33-yard field goal MISS 17–10
3 6:48 ARK Tyler Wilson 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)Tied 17–17
3 3:22 ARK Tyler Wilson 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 24–17
3 0:14 ARK Safety, Jeff Scott tackled by Jerry Franklin in end zone ARK 26–17
4 11:31 ARK Zach Hocker 23-yard field goal ARK 29–17
4 1:23 MISS Donte Moncrief 4-yard pass from Randall Mackey (Bryson Rose kick) ARK 29–24
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[8]
Vanderbilt
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
• Arkansas
7
7 6 11
31
Vanderbilt
7
14 7 0
28
Scoring summary 1 9:24 VAN Jordan Matthews 21-yard pass from Jordan Rodgers (Carey Spear kick) VAN 7–0
1 4:02 ARK Brandon Mitchell 4-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) Tied 7–7
2 13:03 VAN Jordan Rodgers 19-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 14–7
2 1:39 VAN Jordan Rodgers 3-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 21–7
2 0:05 ARK Jarius Wright 11-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) VAN 21–14
3 11:39 ARK Zach Hocker 36-yard field goal VAN 21–17
3 1:39 VAN Jordan Rodgers 3-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 28–17
3 1:05 ARK Zach Hocker 50-yard field goal VAN 28–20
4 13:25 ARK Jerry Franklin 94-yard fumble return (Tyler Wilson to Jarius Wright pass) Tied 28–28
4 6:53 ARK Zach Hocker 42-yard field goal ARK 31–28
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[9]
Five and a half minutes into the third quarter, after a three-and-out, while trailing 21-17, Arkansas wide receiver Marquel Wade was ejected for a flagrant personal foul when he hit defenseless punt returner Jonathan Krause.
South Carolina
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
1
2 3 4 Total
South Carolina
7
7 7 7
28
• Arkansas
10
14 6 14
44
Scoring summary 1 11:33 ARK Zach Hocker 44-yard field goal ARK 3–0
1 2:28 SCAR Brandon Wilds 4-yard run (Jay Wooten kick)SCAR 7–3
1 2:13 ARK Dennis Johnson 98-yard kickoff return (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 10–7
2 13:04 SCAR Devin Taylor 48-yard interception return (Jay Wooten kick) SCAR 14–10
2 12:49 ARK Jarius Wright 68-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 17–14
2 4:11 ARK Jarius Wright 16-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 24–14
3 10:50 SCAR Connor Shaw 9-yard run (Jay Wooten kick)ARK 24–21
3 7:47 ARK Zach Hocker 21-yard field goal ARK 27–21
3 1:17 ARK Zach Hocker 25-yard field goal ARK 30–21
4 10:30 SCAR Connor Shaw 1-yard run (Jay Wooten kick) ARK 30–28
4 8:09 ARK Ronnie Wingo Jr. 4-yard run (Zach Hocker kick) ARK 37–28
4 4:07 ARK Broderick Green 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)
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[10]
Tennessee
More information Total ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Tennessee
0
7 0 0
7
• Arkansas
14
7 14 14
49
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Mississippi State
More information Total ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Mississippi State
3
7 0 7
17
• Arkansas
14
10 10 10
44
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A day after the game, tight end Garrett Uekman was found dead in his dorm room of heart problems.
LSU
More information Total ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Arkansas
0
14 3 0
17
• LSU
0
21 3 17
41
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Kansas State
More information Total ...
1
2 3 4 Total
Kansas State
0
9 7 0
16
• Arkansas
3
16 7 3
29
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Arkansas and Kansas State met for the first time in postseason and for the fifth time overall. The Razorbacks netted their first Cotton Bowl Classic win since 2000 . The 2012 Cotton Bowl was the only non-BCS bowl that featured two Top 10 opponents.
Uekman died during the season on November 11. Because he was on the roster for the team's first nine games, he is still listed on the roster.[2]