The Daily Hatch

Editor’s Note: Arkansas will play in the Cotton Bowl for the 12th time when it meets Kansas State in Cowboys Stadium on Jan. 6. The bowl game has been an important part of Arkansas’ football history and, to mark this year’s trip, the Arkansas News Bureau will take a daily look back at its 11 appearances leading up to kickoff.

1990 Cotton Bowl — Tennessee 31, Arkansas 27

Arkansas made it back to the Cotton Bowl after another 10-1 regular season in 1989, marking the second time in school history the Hogs were playing in Dallas two consecutive years (joining the 1965 and 1966 games).

The Razorbacks — who were limited to 42 yards in the 1989 loss to UCLA — enjoyed much more offensive success  against Tennessee in their return, too. Arkansas piled up what were then Cotton Bowl records of 568 yards and 31 first downs, led by 100-yard rushing performances from James Rouse (134 yards) and Barry Foster (103 yards).

The problem: Tennessee and running back Chuck Webb enjoyed just as much success, piling up 470 yards. Webb led the Volunteers with 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-breaking 78-yarder that give Tennessee a 31-13 lead in the third quarter.

It was enough to hold off Arkansas, which managed to score two fourth quarter touchdowns. The Razorbacks couldn’t complete the comeback and suffered their second straight loss in the Cotton Bowl.

The game also was the last for Arkansas coach Ken Hatfield, whose six-year tenure ended with two Cotton Bowl berths, three 10-win seasons, and six bowl games.

It would take Arkansas 10 more seasons — under three different coaches — to return to the Cotton Bowl.

_________

Sources: Arkansas and the Cotton Bowl