These are the years that Arkansas finished in the top 8 in a major poll 13 times according to Arkansas Democrat Gazette:
Year, Record, Rank, Polls, Coach
64, 11-0, 2, AP/UPI, Broyles
65, 10-1, 2, UPI, Broyles
69, 9-2, 3, UPI, Broyles,
77, 11-1, 3, AP/UPI, Holtz
2011, 11-2, 5, AP/USA, Petrino
62, 9-2, 6, AP/UPI, Broyles
68, 10-1, 6, AP, Broyles
75, 10-2, 6, UPI, Broyles
60, 8-3, 7, AP/UPI, Broyles
54, 8-3, 8, UPI, Wyatt
61, 8-3, 8, UPI, Broyles
79, 10-2, 8, AP, Holtz
82, 9-2-1, 8 UPI, USA, Holtz
In 1964 the Hogs won the FWAA national championship.
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported today the following:
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas rode its 29-16 victory over No. 8 Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl to the No. 5 spot in the final Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls released Tuesday.
The Razorbacks (11-2), who posted their third 11-victory season in school histo r y, f i n –
ished with their highest final ranking since the 1977 team went 11-1 and wound up No. 3 after beating No. 2 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Arkansas’ only two losses came to BCS national champion Alabama and runner-up LSU, the Hogs’ SEC West rivals who finished Nos. 1 and 2 in the final rankings of both polls.
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino declined a request Tuesday for comment about the Razorbacks’ final ranking, but following the Razorbacks’ Cotton Bowl victory Petrino said he was “very proud” of his football team.
“I’m proud of our seniors, group of young men that have really set the standards for how we’re going to work and operate here at the University of Arkansas,” Petrino said at the time. “A great job by them the entire week.”
The Razorbacks have ranked higher than No. 5 in the final AP poll only three times: No. 2 after their only undefeated season (11-0) in 1964 and No. 3 in 1965 and 1977.
The 1964 team, which defeated Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl and was awarded the Football Writers Association of America national title, finished behind Alabama in the final AP poll, which was released before the Crimson Tide lost 21-17 to Texas in the Orange Bowl.
Arkansas is likely to project as a top-10 team to start 2012, despite losing key personnel such as receivers Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs, defensive end Jake Bequette, linebacker Jerry Franklin and safety Tramain Thomas.Running back Knile Davis, who missed the entire season after injuring his knee in preseason practices, announced Tuesday that he will return to Arkansas next season.
Davis was among a handful of Arkansas juniors — along with quarterback Tyler Wilson, running backs Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo, receiver Cobi Hamilton and defensive end Tenarius Wright — who filed paperwork with the NFL Draft advisory board.
All are expected to return in 2012.
Sports, Pages 17 on 01/11/2012
Print Headline: Arkansas winds up at No. 5
