LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Razorbacks football came off a one-year bowl hiatus raring to return to the postseason. Coach Bobby Petrino’s team came through with a 7-5 season and a Jan. 2 date with East Carolina at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
An overflow crowd of running backs, dynamic receivers, a veteran offensive line, an improved defense and the debut of sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett gave Razorbacks fans reason to believe Arkansas football could not only contend in 2009, but set a foundation for years to come.
And Arkansas’ return to the bowl ranks was satisfying for Razorbacks fans, but some might remember the season for the what-ifs and the what-could-have-beens.
An early season loss to Georgia at home made the rest of SEC play an uphill climb, but the Hogs kept grinding.
The Razorbacks had No. 1 Florida in dire jeopardy at The Swamp, but a series of hotly disputed decisions by the officials ultimately doomed their upset bid in a 23-20 loss to the Gators.
Arkansas bounced back to register a four-game winning streak, and a dramatic fourth-quarter drive gave the Hogs a 30-27 lead at LSU in the finale. But the Tigers forged overtime with a late drive and won it on a field goal.
The season had a series of highs, such as the Hogs’ ravaging of Texas A&M in the renewal of their old Southwest Conference rivalry at sparkling Cowboys Stadium, and the blowout of No. 17 Auburn, 44-23 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mallett set or tied 16 school records at the helm of a powerful Arkansas offense. The Razorbacks need to score 38 points in the Liberty Bowl to break the school record of 485 points established in 2007.
“We have a bunch of young players out there,” Petrino said as the Razorbacks practiced for the Liberty Bowl. “I’m very proud of our seniors. ... I’m happy with the way we’re building it. I think we’ve got great attitudes and good work ethic, and a lot of good talented young players.”
Sports, Pages 33 on 12/27/2009