LITTLE ROCK - It was a win as sweet as sugar.
No. 12 Arkansas beat No. 5 LSU 31-23 on Saturday, putting the Razorbacks in prime position to earn the school’s first ever BCS bid. If Auburn wins the SEC Championship Game against South Carolina next weekend, Arkansas is likely heading for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans for the first time in more than three decades.
The crowd made sure to let the Sugar Bowl representatives in attendance know how much it would love to make its first trip to the Big Easy since Jan. 1, 1980. Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” blared over the stadium’s speakers as the final seconds ran off the clock and Arkansas players were even given sugar cubes as they walked into a happy locker room.
It was the type of celebration reserved for teams that have won their conference championship; fitting, because Saturday just might have signified Arkansas’ biggest win since joining the SEC nearly two decades ago.
“They’ve had a great year and we’d be thrilled to have them,” Sugar Bowl president David Melius said after the game. “If the opportunity comes, we would love to have Arkansas.”
With Auburn’s comeback win over Alabama on Friday, this game had major BCS implications. LSU entered the game with an outside chance at playing in the BCS National Championship Game or the Rose Bowl. Now the 10-win Tigers are likely out of the running for the second BCS bid in what is expected to be a two-bid league.
If Auburn wins next week in Atlanta, it would advance to the national championship game and leave the door open for the Razorbacks, who have won six in a row and 10 games overall for the first time since 2006. Players and coaches were well-aware of the scenario following the win.
“We watched the (Auburn-Alabama) game yesterday,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “It was really hard to root for Auburn, though – I can tell you that.”
Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette said he wouldn’t stump for the Razorbacks to play in a BCS bowl, but noted the numbers are hard to ignore.
“I think we are one of the best teams in the country,” Bequette said. “Just look at our conference, look at our wins and it all speaks for itself. I’m not much of a lobbyist, but we’re a pretty good football team.
“This conference is unbelievable. I think anyone that watched the Auburn-Alabama game and this game – compared to the other games – know they are just watching a different game.”
Much of Arkansas’ improvement this year can be attributed to its defense, which improved by leaps and bounds from a year ago. Against LSU, Arkansas limited the opposition to 294 yards of total offense and just two touchdowns. Twice LSU began series inside the Razorbacks’ territory and twice came away with only a field goal.
“We knew, frankly, that that we were the unit holding this team back,” Bequette said. “We didn’t play as well as we wanted to all the time, but when it came crunch time we played well.”
Bequette, who played his home games for Little Rock Catholic High School at War Memorial Stadium, said it the crowd was truly a 12th man Saturday.
“I’ve been coming to games at this stadium for as long as I can remember,” Bequette said. “It’s one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever seen. Hats off to the Little Rock crowd. The 501 was rocking tonight.”
Arkansas gave the crowd plenty of reasons to be happy. Playing in perhaps his final game in front of the home crowd, Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett turned in another signature performance with 320 passing yards and three touchdowns, while shaking off a pair of interceptions inside LSU territory.
Mallett connected with Cobi Hamilton for touchdown passes of 80 and 85 yards in the first half, the latter of which came as the first half clock expired to give the Razorbacks a 21-14 lead at the intermission.
After LSU connected on a pair of third quarter field goals, the Razorbacks extended their lead to 28-20 on Mallett’s 39-yard pass to Joe Adams on a fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.
“I worked with Coach (John L.) Smith a long time ago. We always had kind of a saying, ‘We didn’t come to paint. We came to win the game,’” Petrino said. “So we went for it. It’s really a play we’ve worked ever since last year’s game with LSU. They’ve given us problems with their all-out, house blitz and straight across the board man coverage.
“It was a great throw, great play. It was well-executed and obviously a big, big play in the game.”
Arkansas added to the lead on a Zach Hocker 19-yard field goal with 6:09 remaining to make it 31-20. The Razorbacks ran the ball nine straight times at one point during the drive, which lasted 6 minutes, 3 seconds.
Knile Davis and Broderick Green were the beneficiaries of those carries. Davis finished with 152 rushing yards and a touchdown. The sophomore has rushed for more than 100 yards in five of the last six games.
“That was a great drive,” Mallett said. “Obviously we want to punch it in for a touchdown there at the end. The run game has come along so much. We physically imposed our will on them.”
The eight-point margin of victory was the largest in the series since LSU won here in 2004. In the last six games between the two schools, Arkansas has outscored the Tigers by a combined one point.
“It’s just a battle,” Bequette said. “These are two good teams that are really good and really don’t like each other. We played hard. We battled for the Boot, and that’s exactly what it was.”
This time it was also a battle for something sweeter than bragging rights. It was a win as sweet as sugar and Arkansas’ biggest in quite some time.
“The house of cards just keeps getting bigger and it hasn’t fallen yet,” Bequette said. “We have to be Auburn fans for one more week. Hopefully they can get it done.”
For more visit WholeHogSports.com. You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
no Jake you are not a pretty good football team,The Arkansas Razorbacks are one of the Top 3 teams in the country,Jake you and your teammates are FANTASTIC.
CBS, ESPN and ABC sports commentators are in complete withdrawal/denial in how they report the results of this game. Word is the BCS computers are unavailable for comment as well.
Congratulations belongs to the Hogs and so does a berth in a BCS Bowl game.
Hats off to the defense – they held LSU to under 300 total yards. They held LSU to two field goals in the second half deep in our territory so they should get the game ball. And if any more game balls were given KD should get one as well as Cobi plus the offense line on their run blocking – exceptional.
IMHO, we looked like the much better team on both sides of the ball despite our sputterings and miscues. It wasn’t a perfect game but it was THE game that defined our season!
I imagine the Hogs are begining a nice run as a top ten team! Well deserved and hats off to Coach Petrino and his team! Go Hogs!!!
Very proud of our team today they never gave up the lead and showed they were the best team on the field today if auburn wins next weekend we should be in the sugar bowl and I’ve got a sweet tooth we deserve this guys wps how bout dem hogs
I just bought my tickets to the Sugar Bowl!! I sure hope we get to go! What an exciting game today, and we never were behind. I felt so good when we scored first. Our defense played their hearts out, and the offense made the plays we will see on Sportscenter tonight! I will be curious to hear Lou and the boys tonight. Now I can go to work and hold my head high as I quiet the “Tiger Bait” cat-calls from my co-workers! See you all in New Orleans (I hope!).
Great job defense coaches and players. Way to play the game with authority and confidence. This is what I had been hoping to see all year and let’s me know next year could be another special year with what we have coming back. This could become an addictive feeling. GO HOGS!!!
Tonight the Razorbacks only had two penalties….that’s fantastic. I am so proud of the offensive line…not one “false start” penalty tonight. It was not a perfect game (how many of those do you see) but, when the chips were down this group came through. If there is a better team in the country, I have not seen it; especially now. These guys never quit and kept getting better and better.
Great conference, great game, great team. Go Hogs!
WAY TO GO ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO SUGAR BOWL!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO SUGAR BOWL!!!!!!!!
SUGAR BOWL BOUND!!!!!!!!
SUGAR BOWL BOUND!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PIG!!!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW ‘BOUT THEM HOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ve learned how to finish strong! And Willy Robinson actually had a legit game plan that brought the heat LSU and never let up. I was calling for his head the past few weeks, and though I still don’t dig his style, my hat is off to him and the defense on this win. They were carved out of wood! Outstanding performance on the national stage against the #5 team in the land! Go Hogs, and let the recruiting victories begin! I’m thinking #8 in the BCS come Sunday night!
Some of “anotty” northern teams, ie Michigan, Ohio State, and the much over rated Notre Dame need to get their braggin butts down here to the SEC and try playing some REAL football teams like Arkansas. Even Ole Sis could whip their butts.
woops I mean “snotty”
This was probably the best game the defense has played all year. They deserve most of the credit for the win, and I’m proud of the way they played. If they had played like that all year, we’d be playing in Atlanta next week for the right to play for the national championship. I don’t have enough faith in Willy’s ability to keep them playing at this level for an entire season, so I still think we need a new DC next year (we have to look at the entire season, not just one great game). However, the coaches and players did a fantastic job yesterday, so my hat’s off to all of them. With a consistently good defense, the sky’s the limit for this team.
It has recently been reported that both Texas and Ole Miss have accepted invitations to play in the 2010 Lowes Stay-at-Home Improvement Bowl!
I must disagree wyohog.
The defense has made strides “forward” all year and with the young blood coming back next year, we will be “solid” again. Willy gets my vote as a great SEC coach. Go Hogs !!
Yeah, Lononhawg, tell him. “Don’t touch my Willy”.
Hogs impressed me like never before. LSU never thought they could lose to us! They just knew they were going to back into the BCS championship game against Oregon. But, Auburn slammed Bama and then in the biggest money game for us in years, we showed America that Petrino is as advertised. A great coach, exemplary recruiter, great staff, great team, and the reward is a state that has adopted him as a a true Arkansan! We knew the day he bolted Atlanta that we got the real deal. 3 years later, we have arrived. Congrats Bobby Petrino! Thanks for bringing respect and class to the Razorback Football Program. We owe this all to you and your staff…but especially to OUR team! Sugar is so SWEET
The latest AP and USA Today Coaches Polls have come out, and Arkansas has moved up to #8 in both polls!!!! They are the top ranked 2-loss team. LSU and Ok. St. both fell out of the top 10, and Boise St. fell from #3 to #9.
As long as Auburn takes care of business next Saturday the Hogs are a lock to play in the Sugar Bowl. Most “experts” are saying it will be the Razorbacks taking on the Ohio St. Buckeyes. OSU has never beaten an SEC team in a bowl game, but Arkansas has had trouble with Big Ten teams in bowls. I think it would be a fantastic game.
Show-me Hog, you nailed it! I’m planning my Sugar Bowl New Years at Who Dat! GO HOGS!!!!
I am finally back home in Springfield, MO after going to LR for the game. The atmosphere was awesome by the end. I was little worried before the game because the crowd just didn’t seem to be typical LR.
As far as the game, and really the whole season, how can you complain? Sure, I like to pick nits, but not today. I’m 32 and have been a Hog fan all my life, and I can honestly say that this is the biggest win for our program in my lifetime. In the past, we have lost this kind of game (Exhibit A: LSU in 2006). Yesterday, Petrino exhibited some huge stones and coached to win that game, and that FG drive in the 4th quarter was a thing of beauty. I think the crowd was louder after that drive than any of the other big plays. I am still in celebration mode. Days like yesterday is why you suffer with your team through the lean times. Regardless of where we end up (hopefully, Auburn will take care of business), I am proud of the way our team competed this year. Bring on Ohio State.
The fans made for an intense and electric atmosphere – at least, from the big screen where we were watching the game. When they’re into it, Razorback fans are the best in the country.
To the 55,000 [plus] fans who could make the trip: Nice job. The Rock was rockin’.
Where will Arkansas wind up if South Carolina wins?
krazorback,
Either the Cotton or Capitol One Bowl. We will do no worse. The BCS cannot take more than two teams from any conference. If USCe wins, they’ll get the Sugar Bowl automatically, and Auburn will get an at large bid either in the Championship Game or some other BCS bowl.
dwp007,
I’m telling ya, when LSU called that timeout in the middle of our last FG drive after we ran the ball down their throats, you could not hear yourself think because it was that loud.
Don’t worry krazorback. No way that SEC refs let SC beat Awburn.
Krazorback? ….you so Krazy
The “Thought” never crossed my mind, but you do raise a good question. South Carolina cannot be dismissed. We all know Auburn should have at a minimum lost to Arkansas and Alabama. But they Scammed Newton their way to victory; so we should just keep pullin for the Scam’s until after the season
Here is my take should South Carolina win. Keep in mind that this is my opinion & not official; however; I did stay at a Holiday Express in LR for the LSU game.
First, a USC win means they will go to the Sugar Bowl as the SEC Champion. Auburn’s lost will knock them out of title game in favor Oregon \ TCU. It will get wild then because with TCU in the Title game it will send a cresendo for the other BCS bowls by way of their at-large selections. (i.e Ohio State may go to Rose Bowl) I think for our purposes it is all bad news because Auburn will then get the at-large forcing Arkansas out of BCS. That leaves us with the Outback Bowl. No shame there. That is where South Carolina will go if they lose SEC Champ game. Remember if Auburn completes their Scam Season, we will not need to worry about any of this; and it will be all Sugar for Hawgs.
Congrats to CBP, Staff & Players, they have earned the praise as they did not disappoint.
TexasHog,
I only disagree with you on one point: If SC wins, they will give the Hogs the best available bowl, which is the Cap One against Mich. State. Of course, AR might turn that down in favor of the Cotton Bowl (I don’t see why we would do that, but it could happen). If this Doomsday scenario unfolds (though I don’t think it will), USCe would be in the Sugar, Auburn in the BCS, Arkansas in the Cap One, LSU in the Cotton, Alabama in the Outback. Just my opinion, but heck, at the end of the day I am just glad I won’t freezing my cackles off at the Liberty Bowl again.
Skezell,
Reason I did not go with Capital One and\or Cotton, is that I believe these bowls are already lining up with informal commitments (agreements). I did not see them pushing a Alabama or LSU out in favor of Arkansas because of a South Carolina upset win? But and then again AD Long should be in those back room discussions to have that contingency in place. I live in Dallas and prefer the Cotton, but the Capital One may be more prestige for now? Cotton Bowl will be a major tier bowl soon in the new Jerry World. But this is the SEC, we do not have to worry about the referees accidentally calling the game fairly against Auburn. (See fumble ruled TD agianst Hawgs as Exhibit A)They will see to it that Auburn get in Title game. We just have to shut up & be quiet; and then go to the Sugar
The only reason I would find it weird to turn the Cap One for the Cotton is because we already get a game in Jerry World for Texas recruiting purposes, while Cap One might get us some love in Florida. Then again, the reasoning might be “two games in Jerry World is pretty good too” and I can’t disagree with that. Plus, Dallas is much more convenient for me travel-wise. If we can’t be in the Sugar, my only real wish is to play a high level team, whether it be Mich St or Nebraska/OK State/OU. We now know we can compete with teams in our own conference, let’s see what we do against the cream of other conferences.
And yes, you are right, we’ll just need to be War Eagle fans (I just threw up a little in my mouth) for the next week.
Question: What happens IF the NCAA finds Auburn or Awfulbarn guilty of the Cam Scam? Do they vacate all the wins? If so..what does that do to the whold bowl scenerio? Hmmmm?? I respect every other team in the SEC…except Auburn. LSU is a quality team lead by a good coach. Ole Sis is a good team led by a crummy coach. The Florida teams get my respect. Alabama does as well.
I just don’t see Auburn as an honest team. I smell rotten from top to bottom. IMO
NCAA moves about as fast as a Woody Hayes offense. It will take them a couple of years to figure anything out. It will take a real “smoking gun” to cause something to happen.
Hogs have had a GREAT year and deserve a big bowl and they are going to get one.
It’s good to be a HOG!
I disagree with many of you here. Look: Unless USC blows out Auburn, Auburn will play in the BCS championship game against Oregon. If the loss is close then the BCS will have to chose a TCU over a one loss SEC or Big Ten team. Won’t happen. BCS computer rankings will use strength of scheduale and TCU will not make up enough distance between it and Auburn (This is why Arkansas is 7th and not 8th as in the human polls). If Boise hadn’t lost then it would have been more complicated – remember TCU lost its BCS game this year to Boise. Auburn plays in the toughest conference with 10 bowl eligible teams (next highest is 8, with PAC Ten having only 3)and in a division where 5 of it’s teams are in the top 25. Sorry but TCU will have to prove itself in the Rose Bowl against a very good Wisconsin team. If they lose that one, any controversy will disappear. I don’t think any ESPN commentator is pushing TCU for the title game. And if Oregon beats Auburn again bye bye controversy. Other factors: the number of SEC BCS champions in the recent past: 5 out 7, including the last four and a total of 6 out of 14! It would be a scandal not to let an undefeated regular season SEC champ defend the league’s record. Especially when the Tigers have already beaten the Gamecocks in the regular season. If Auburn were to win the BCS, then 5 different SEC teams will have won the title, which shows that the league is balanced and not a one trick pony, like the Big Ten (OSU) and the PAC Ten (USC). Also, Newton is almost a lock for the Heisman and James of Oregon will be in New York too. Head to head will be a real attraction for the NCAA. I agree with others here the SEC refs will do USC no favors and the BCS and NCAA will not do TCU any favors either. A factor against the Big Ten: The Big Eleven does not have a playoff and not all the teams play each other. Which explains the mess regarding that conference’s title. All thing considered Auburn will play in the BCS title game.* I don’t think that a close loss would keep out Auburn. If USC wins and goes to the Sugar, I hope the Hogs go to the Cotton. Jerry World is a hoot and Dallas is closer. In any case, the final BCS standings will depend on the bowl game outcomes. Whoever Arkansas beats (hopefully) will probably end up boosting its ranking.**
*Chizik will have to figure out a game plan that does not include SEC refs.
**If the Hogs beat OSU and if Auburn wins they could end up as high as 4th
Great job by the O-line! Thank goodness for kicker that can tackle. Tejada saved two touchdowns, could be the hero of the game.