Frank Broyles – Syndication Server

Hog legend Dan Hampton to enter NFF College football Hall of Fame

Former Arkansas Razorbacks All-American Dan Hampton is slated to become the 21st Hog to be inducted the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.

It’s been 45 years since Dan Hampton departed Arkansas for an NFL Hall of Fame career, but the accolades keep coming in for the Jacksonville product.

It was announced Monday that the 66-year-old Hampton, affectionately known as “Danimal,” is slated to become the 21st Razorback to be inducted the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.

Hampton spent four years as a defensive tackle for the Razorbacks, from 1975-78, playing for a pair of legendary coaches. He played the final two season’s of Coach Frank Broyles’ career, then wrapped up his final two seasons under Coach Lou Holtz. Arkansas went 35-10-2 record during Hampton’s career, including a mark of 22-8-1 in the Southwest Conference.

Hampton amassed 239 tackles – 126 unassisted – as a Razorback, including 32 from behind the line of scrimmage and six fumble recoveries. As a senior in 1978, he totaled 98 tackles, including 18 behind the line of scrimmage, while being named SWC Defensive Player of the Year and earning first-team All-SWC honors.

He was also named an AFCA First-Team All-American that season, leading Arkansas to a No. 3 finish in the national polls, following the 31-6 rout of heavily favored No. 2 Oklahoma.

In 1991, Hampton was elected to the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor and a year later, was voted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He was selected to the Razorbacks’ All-Century team in 1994 and was later named one of the state’s Top 50 greatest athletes of the 20th century.

After being the No. 4 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft by Chicago, Hampton spent 12 seasons with the Bears, and is one of only two players to play for the franchise in three different decades. He was also one of the cornerstones of the famous 1985 Bears defense that cruised to a 46-10 victory over New England in Super Bowl XX. That vaunted “46 Defense” allowed just 198 points all season, and recorded shutouts in both NFC playoff games.

Razorbacks in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame:

2024 – Dan Hampton (DL)

2019 – Darren McFadden (RB)

2017 – Danny Ford (HC)
2012 – Jimmy Johnson (DL/AC)
2010 – Ronnie Caveness (LB)
2008 – Lou Holtz (HC)
2004 – Wayne Harris (LB)
2004 – Tracy Rocker (AC)
2003 – Doug Dickey (AC)
2003 – Hayden Fry (AC)
2001 – Barry Switzer (AC)
2000 – Billy Ray Smith Jr. (LB)
1999 – Chuck Dicus (WR)
1997 – Bowden Wyatt (HC)
1992 – Loyd Phillips (DL)
1987 – Johnny Majors (AC)
1984 – Lance Alworth (WR)
1983 – Frank Broyles (HC)
1971 – Clyde Scott (RB/DB)
1967 – Wear Schoonover (WR)
1954 – Hugo Bezdek (HC)

Dan Hampton makes a tackle during the 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma.

Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears defensive tackle (99) Dan Hampton pressures New England Patriots quarterback (11) Tony Eason during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome. The Bears dominated the Patriots 46-10 giving the Bears their first ever Super Bowl victory. The Chicago defense had 7 sacks and limited the Patriots to a record-low seven rushing yards. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK

Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams nominated for Broyles Award

Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams has been nominated for a prestigious award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach each year.

The 2023 season has been filled with a lot of losing and disappointment for this [autotag]Arkansas football[/autotag] team. However, there has been one bright spot for throughout most of this year – the defense.

In his first year as Razorbacks defensive coordinator, [autotag]Travis Williams[/autotag] took the worst passing defense in the country and completely transformed it into a very formidable unit. Arkansas currently ranks 49th in the country in total defense (357.5 YPG) and 38th in passing defense (205.6 YPG). In fact, Williams’ defense has played well enough for the Hogs to win all but two games this season.

For those efforts, Williams was one of 57 assistant coaches nominated for the 2023 Broyles Award. The Broyles Award, named after longtime Arkansas football coach and athletic director [autotag]Frank Broyles[/autotag], is given to the nation’s best assistant coach each year.

The semifinalists and finalists will be announced at later dates, and the ceremony to announce the winner will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.

Arkansas No. 21 in AP’s all-time football poll

The tradition-rich Razorback football program has appeared in the poll for 51 seasons.

The Associated Press published it’s first college football Top 25 poll in 1936. Now the AP has released its accumulative all-time poll, which has the Arkansas Razorbacks ranked No. 21.

In the 84 seasons the list has been published, Arkansas has been ranked at some point, during 51 of those years. The Razorbacks have spent a total of 432 weeks in the poll, making the preseason poll 27 times and the final poll 29 times. They have been ranked in the Top 10 during 35 of those seasons and a Top 5 team in 12 seasons. They have also spent one week as the No. 1 team in the nation — Week 6 of the 1965 season.

The prior season, 1964, Arkansas was the only team in the country to remain unbeaten, which included a 10-7 victory over Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl. But they finished No. 2, because the AP had already awarded its national championship to Alabama before the bowl games were played — and prior to the Crimson Tide’s 21-17 loss in the Orange Bowl. They were beaten by Texas, who Arkansas had already defeated during the regular season.

The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) conducted its final poll after the bowl games and selected Arkansas as the national champion. The Razorbacks were also selected as national champs by six other selectors, including the Billingsley Report and the Helms Athletic Foundation. They are commonly recognized as the 1964 National Champions.

The AP changed its method the following season.

Beginning in 1959, Head Coach Frank Broyles second season, Arkansas was ranked for eight straight years. Their longest stretch of consecutive seasons was nine, between 1974 and 1982.

There have currently been 1,103 polls taken, with 164 different schools being ranked at some point. Minnesota was the first No. 1 in 1936. Western Kentucky was the last team to make its poll debut in 2015. Through the years, now-defunct programs like Muhlenburg, NYU and Colorado College have made appearances.

The Razorbacks first appeared in 1936 and have appeared in 410 of the weekly polls, which is 37.17 percent of all the polls since released.

To determine an all-time Top 100 for the first time, the AP counted poll appearances (one point) to mark consistency, No. 1 rankings (one bonus point) to acknowledge elite programs and gave a big bonus for AP championships won (10 points). The results are below:

No. 1 Ohio State (1,112 points)
Total appearances: 852, 77.24 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 105.
Championships: Five (last 2014).

No. 2 Oklahoma (1,055 points)
Total appearances: 784, 71.08 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1938.
No. 1 rankings: 100½.
Championships: Seven (last 2000).

No. 3 Notre Dame (1,042 points)
Total appearances: 766, 69.45 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 98.
Championships: Eight (last 1988).

No. 4 Alabama (993 points)
Total appearances: 745, 67.54 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 74.
Championships: 10 (last 2015).

No. 5 Southern California (974 points)
Total appearances: 743, 67.36 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 90½.
Championships: Five (last 2004).

No. 6 Nebraska (901 points)
Total appearances: 717, 65 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 72.
Championships: Four (last 1995).

No. 7 Michigan (894 points)
Total appearances: 806, 73.07 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1938.
No. 1 rankings: 34.
Championships: Two (last 1997).

No. 8 Texas (822 points)
Total appearances: 703, 63.74 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1940.
No. 1 rankings: 44 ½.
Championships: Three (last 2005).

No. 9 Florida State (714 points)
Total appearances: 540, 48.96 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1964.
No. 1 rankings: 72.
Championships: Three (last 2013).

No. 10 Florida (674 points)
Total appearances: 562, 50.95 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1950.
No. 1 rankings: 41.
Championships: Three (last 2008).

No. 11 LSU (655 points).
Total appearances: 575, 52.13 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 30.
Championships: Two (last 2007).

No. 12 Penn State (647 points).
Total appearances: 589, 53.40 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1940.
No. 1 rankings: 19.
Championships: Two (last 1986).

No. 13 Miami (642 points).
Total appearances: 458, 41.52 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1950.
No. 1 rankings: 67.
Championships: Five (last 2001).

No. 14 Tennessee (624 points)
Total appearances: 568, 51.50 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 18.
Championships: Two (last 1998).

No 15 Georgia (572 points)
Total appearances: 532, 48.23 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1941.
No. 1 rankings: 15.
Championships: One (1980).

No. 16 Auburn (570 points)
Total appearances: 532, 48.23 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: Nine.
Championships: Two (last 2010).

No. 17 UCLA (535 points)
Total appearances: 521, 47.23 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1939.
No. 1 rankings: Seven.
Championships: None.

No. 18 Texas A&M (447 points)
Total appearances: 424, 38.44 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 6½.
Championships: One (1939).

No. 19 Michigan State (443 points)
Total appearances: 375, 34 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1948.
No. 1 rankings: 29.
Championships: One (1952).

No. 20 Washington (430 points)
Total appearances: 401, 36.36 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 14½.
Championships: None.

No. 21 Arkansas (412 points)
Total appearances: 410, 37.17 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: One.
Championships: None.

No. 22 Clemson (411 points)
Total appearances: 387, 35.09 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1939.
No. 1 rankings: Seven.
Championships: One (1981).

No. 23 Pittsburgh (356 points)
Total appearances: 294, 26.65 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1936.
No. 1 rankings: 21.
Championships: Two (last 1976)

No. 24 Wisconsin (336 points)
Total appearances: 334, 30.28 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1937.
No. 1 rankings: One.
Championships: None.

No. 25 Iowa (329 points)
Total appearances: 307, 27.83 percent of all polls.
First appearance: 1939.
No. 1 rankings: 7.
Championships: None.

Also receiving points (26-100):

No. 26 Georgia Tech, 320 points.
No. 27 Colorado, 316.
No. 28 Oregon, 293.
No. 29 Mississippi, 290
No. 30 Arizona State, 284.
No. 31 Virginia Tech, 276.
No. 32 Stanford, 272.
No. 33 West Virginia, 271.
No. 34 BYU, 258.
No. 35 Missouri, 256.
No. 36 Purdue, 246.
No. 37 Minnesota, 241.
No. 38 North Carolina, 240.
No. 39 TCU, 234.
No. 40 Maryland, 230.
No. 41 Syracuse, 221.
No. 42 Army, 214.
No. 43 Oklahoma State, 208.
No. 44 Kansas State, 207.
No. 45 California, 199.
No. 46 Mississippi State, 195.
No. 47, Baylor, 187.
No. 48 South Carolina, 185.
No. 49 Houston, 184.
No. 50 Northwestern, 183.
No. 51 Illinois, 181.
No. 52 Virginia, 174.
No. 53 Duke, 172.
No. 54 Arizona, 168.
No. 55 SMU, 165.
No. 56 N.C. State, 149.
No. 57 Boston College, 141.
No. 58 Texas Tech, 137.
No. 59 Washington State, 129.
No. 60 Navy, 128.
No. 61 Boise State, 127.
No. 62 Louisville, 119.
No. 63 Kansas, 108.
No. 64 Utah, 100.
No. 65 Oregon State, 95.
No. 66 Penn, 89.
No. 67 Air Force, 78.
No. 68 Kentucky, 75.
No. 69 Rice, 70.
No. 70 Tulane, 62.
No. 71 Wyoming, 56.
No. 72 Indiana, 55.
(tie) Fresno State, 55.
(tie) Southern Mississippi, 55.
(tie) Cornell, 55.
No. 76 Toledo, 45.
No. 77 Santa Clara, 43.
(tie) Tulsa, 43.
(tie) Colorado State, 43.
No. 80 Wake Forest, 42.
No. 81 Cincinnati, 41.
(tie) Miami (Ohio), 41.
No. 83 Fordham, 40.
(tie) Iowa State, 40.
No. 85 Holy Cross, 39.
No. 86 Rutgers, 38.
No. 87 Dartmouth, 37.
No. 88 East Carolina, 37.
No. 89 Vanderbilt, 31.
No. 90 Yale, 30.
No. 91 Princeton, 29.
(tie) Marshall, 29.
No. 93 Hawaii, 28.
No. 94 USF, 26.
No. 95 Villanova, 25.
No. 96 Northern Illinois, 23.
No. 97 Duquesne, 20.
No. 98 Iowa Pre-Flight, 18.
No. 99 Columbia, 16.
(tie) William & Mary, 16.
(tie) Nevada, 16.
(tie) Bowling Green, 16.

‘Growing Up Grovey’: A story of football and unconditional love

The 3-part documentary, produced in 2021, made its debut on the university’s HogsPlus.com website last week.

“Growing Up Grovey” is more than just a football story.

It’s a story about life, perseverance and a former Razorback’s unconditional love for his mom.

The three-part documentary, produced in 2021, made its debut on the university’s HogsPlus.com website last week, allowing fans a glimpse of Quinn Grovey’s courageous journey, from high school and college football legend, to that of a humble son, dedicating his life to comforting his ailing mom, Bobbye Jean, in her final years.

The first two parts will be nostalgic for fans of Duncan High School in Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas, at least for those over 50 years old. The younger generations can enjoy a lesson about one of the most successful quarterbacks in program history.

I was fortunately enough to be a part of this production, writing the script and inputting some of the historical tidbits to the story. I became friends with Quinn early in our college days before he ever took an official snap for the Hogs. We sat in the back row of a freshman English Comp class, jawing about each other’s prowess on video games. From that point, I got a first-hand look at one of the best athletes and genuine human beings that I have ever been lucky enough to know.

Quinn has always been one of the most prepared and motivated people walking the planet, so when he asked me to be a part of this project, I was truly honored and jumped at the opportunity. We completed the documentary with a crew of four primary contributors – Quinn and myself, along with producers and film gurus, Tracy Anderson and Russell Schaap. We were proudly named a Silver Award winner at the 42nd Annual Telly Awards last year, in the category of Television Documentaries.

Quinn’s early football heroics led Duncan to an Oklahoma state championship in 1984, before he went on to orchestrate one of the most successful tenures in Razorback history. He ranks second on the all-time wins list, behind only Bill Montgomery, and is still the only Arkansas quarterback to ever lead the program to back-to-back outright conference championships, and consecutive Cotton Bowl appearances.

The film is narrated by Arkansas golf great John Daly and state-native radio personality Bobby Bones. It reflects on Quinn’s relationships with his mentor, Frank Broyles, as well as that of his coach and pseudo father-figure, Ken Hatfield, along with a host of former high school and college teammates. It also takes a long look back at a pair of classic battles with Texas in 1988 and 1989, two title bouts with Texas A&M, and relives Quinn’s epic showdown with Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware on Oct. 28, 1989, as he led Arkansas to a 45-39 victory over Houston in what is still regarded as one of the greatest games in Razorback history.

After transitioning into the corporate world following his playing days, Quinn served as an executive at Walmart and Home Depot. But he never forgot his deep roots in Duncan and the parents who raised four outstanding young men – Quinn was the youngest of the brothers. So, when his mom was diagnosed with the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease in 2006, he did only what his heart led him to do.

Quinn and his wife, Stacy, eventually moved Bobbye Jean from Duncan to Fayetteville, to live under their roof and care. And for nearly a decade, Quinn devoted his life to assuring that his mom lived her final days safely and in comfort. Up until October, 17, 2015, the day Bobbye Jean passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her youngest son.

Quinn has since become a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s support and research, speaking to many groups about his struggles and triumphs in the fight. His primary focus for wanting to share his story is with the hope that his journey may help others who are facing a similar fate.

He now balances those efforts with his current duties as the Senior Director of Development for the Razorback Foundation, as well as being the radio color analyst for Arkansas football. His plate is always full, but so is his heart and desire to help others.

I hope you tune in to “Growing Up Grovey”, either on HogsPlus.com or Yurview.com. It will bring joy to many and tears to some. But, either way, this journey is sure to touch the heart. Enjoy.

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Arkansas football all-time roster: Coaches, kickers and specialists

See which coaching and special teams legends made the cut in our all-time Arkansas football roster.

We have come to the conclusion.

Here at Razorbacks Wire, we spent this last full week before the season opener giving our picks for the All-Time Arkansas Roster. We picked starters and reserves on the offense and starters and reserves on the defense earlier this week

Now it’s time for special teams and the coaching staff.

Make no mistake, this was not an easy task (except for picking the head coach, of course). Weeks were spent in preparation. Sixteen of them, in fact. And, yes, we could hear arguments for moving some our listed back-ups to starters, adding a player for another here and there. We aren’t perfect.

But it isn’t about being perfect. It’s about re-living the greatness. It’s about talking again about the careers of Hogs from the recent past and, in some cases, the not-so-recent past.

See Arkansas’ all-time offense and all-time defense.

Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Nebraska / North Carolina / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin

Jackie Sherrill reflects on Johnny Majors, a ‘Tennessee treasure’

Jackie Sherrill reflects on Johnny Majors.

Former Tennessee head coach and player Johnny Majors died June 3.

He was 85.

Majors first became a head coach in 1968 at Iowa State. He came to Iowa State after serving as an assistant at Arkansas under Frank Broyles.

Jackie Sherrill, former college football head coach at Washington State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M and Mississippi State, served as a graduate assistant at Arkansas in 1967.

NCAA Football: USA TODAY Sports-Archive — Nov 28, 1981, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jackie Sherrill stands on the sidelines against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Pitt Stadium during the 1981 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Majors hired Sherrill as his defensive backs coach at Iowa State when he became the Cyclones head coach. Sherrill also coached alongside Majors at Pittsburgh from 1973-75. He was defensive coordinator for the Panthers when Majors became head coach at Pittsburgh.

Sherrill joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss his football career, coaching alongside Majors and the last time he spoke with the former UT player and head coach.

“Coach and I became very close,” Sherrill said of Majors. “We talked Sunday night and we talked for over an hour.”

Sherill mentioned Majors “was sitting out on his porch and looking at the river” during their conversation and that the former Vol was in “great spirit.”

“We lost a Tennessee treasure and can’t be replaced,” Sherrill said.

The longtime college head coach mentioned that Majors was a “mentor and father figure” for him.

The entire interview with Sherrill can be listened to here or below.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/835523968″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Tennessee Two-A-Days · Jackie Sherrill

Texas 15, Arkansas 14 turns 50 on Dec. 6

Texas 15, Arkansas 14. Fifty years ago on Dec. 6, 1969, the schools played in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 contest.

Imagine if the President of the United States decided to present the national championship to a school after a game in December, long before bowls were played. In 2019, it could never happen. However, 50 years ago it occurred. One of the greatest games in college football history turns 50 on Dec. 6. Arkansas and Texas met in a game that pitted the top two teams in the country at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, AR., on that Saturday.

How big was the game? President Richard M. Nixon helicoptered in for the contest. This was long before it became fashionable for the Commander-in-Chief to attend any sports event other than the opening game of the baseball season. With President Nixon was another person who would become a President, himself, George H.W. Bush. While there are ties to Arkansas by President Bill Clinton, and there is a tale he was around the stadium, that has proven to be a falsehood. He did, however, listen on shortwave radio with some friends while a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford in England.

The game was not scheduled to be played on Dec. 6. Thanks to the ingenuity of ABC TV exec Beano Cook, the usual October meeting between the schools was pushed to the end of the regular season, which allowed the Southwest Conference title and Cotton Bowl berth to be determined. The game took on gigantic magnitude the week before when Michigan upset Ohio State, sending Arkansas and Texas to the top of the rankings.

The game itself delivered on every level. Texas was inspired by the courageous story of its DB, Freddie Steinmark, who was battling cancer. Frank Broyles of Arkansas and Darrell Royal of Texas were two legendary college coaches, while they were working at each school, respectively.

This marked the 100th year of college football and it fittingly wears the title “Game of the Century.”

Arkansas grabbed a 14-0 lead on a one-yard leap into the end zone by Bill Burnett in the first quarter and a 29-yard touchdown reception by Chuck Dicus in the third quarter. The Hogs led by that margin as the teams headed into the final 15 minutes. Remember, there was no thought of overtime in 1969.

Texas closed within 14-6 when quarterback James Street scrambled for a touchdown on the first play of the last quarter. Then came a decision from Coach Royal that changed the course of the game. He knew he would have to go for a two-point conversion on one touchdown if Texas were to win. Rather than wait for a second opportunity, Royal went for two and Texas converted. Royal knew while he was risking not converting a simple PAT, if Texas scored again a two-point conversion would give the Longhorns a chance to tie the Razorbacks.

Texas did convert as Street ran the ball into the end zone, making it 14-8. Arkansas had chances to close out the game but Arkansas quarterback Bill Montgomery was intercepted in the end zone by Danny Lester on third-down play from the Texas 7. A field goal would have likely put the game out of reach for Texas.

Given life, the Longhorns rallied. Royal played the roll of gambler again and on fourth-and-3 with less than five minutes left he called a pass play for tight end Randy Peschel. Quarterback Street focused on split end Cotton Speyer while calling the play, noticing Arkansas players eyeballing the huddle. He found Peschel for 44 yards.

Two plays later Jim Bertelsen ran in for the game-tying touchdown. Donnie Wigginton, the third-string quarterback who was the holder, made a big save on a high snap and Happy Feller booted the extra point for the winning score with 3:58 left.

The great Dan Jenkins wrote about Arkansas’ last chance in Sports Illustrated:

There was still plenty of time for Arkansas, of course, and Bill Montgomery proceeded to hit four more thrilling passes and move the Razorbacks to the Texas 39. But there, with 1:13 to play, he floated one out in the right flat, and Tom Campbell, the son of Texas’ defensive Coach Mike Campbell, outgrabbed John Rees for it and the Longhorns were ready to meet the President.

The post-game was bedlam was President Nixon presented the national championship to Texas … before bowl games were played! The controversy erupted because Penn State was also undefeated. However, the Nittany Lions had turned down an invite to the Cotton Bowl to play the Texas-Arkansas winner before Michigan had upended Ohio State drastically changing the rankings picture.

Texas went on to defeat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl to seal its national title. The game lives in history on many levels. One of which is the title it has also received as “Dixie’s Last Stand.” The game was the last major sporting event between all-white teams.