2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football
Cotton Bowl Classic champion
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 5
APNo. 5
Record11–2 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGarrick McGee (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorWilly Robinson (4th season)
Base defense4–3
Captains
Home stadiumDonald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
War Memorial Stadium
2011 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 19 Georgia x   7 – 1     10 – 4  
No. 9 South Carolina   6 – 2     11 – 2  
Florida   3 – 5     7 – 6  
Vanderbilt   2 – 6     6 – 7  
Kentucky   2 – 6     5 – 7  
Tennessee   1 – 7     5 – 7  
Western Division
No. 2 LSU x$   8 – 0     13 – 1  
No. 1 Alabama  %#   7 – 1     12 – 1  
No. 5 Arkansas   6 – 2     11 – 2  
Auburn   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Mississippi State   2 – 6     7 – 6  
Ole Miss*   0 – 8     2 – 10  
Championship: LSU 42, Georgia 10
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Ole Miss vacated all wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Bobby Petrino in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Razorbacks compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing third in the SEC's Western Division, behind LSU and Alabama, the two teams that played in the BCS National Championship Game. Arkansas as invited to the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic, where Razorbacks defeated Kansas State to cap off the third 11-win season in program history. They also finished fifth in the final AP poll, Arkansas' highest national ranking since finishing third in 1977. The team played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Tyler Wilson became the first Arkansas quarterback to be voted first team All-SEC. Wide receiver Jarius Wright, defenseive end Jake Bequette, and return specialist Joe Adams were also named first-team All-SEC. Adams was also a consensus All-American, and won the inaugural Jet Award given to the nation's best return specialist.

Despite the successful season, Petrino was fired in the offseason. A motorcycle accident on April 1, 2012 led to the discovery that Petrino had covered up an extramarital affair with a member of his staff, and that he had hired the woman in question over several other applicants for the position

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 36:00 pmMissouri State*No. 15
PPVW 51–770,607
September 106:00 pmNew Mexico*No. 14
ESPNUW 52–352,606
September 176:30 pmTroy*No. 14
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
CSSW 38–2869,861
September 242:30 pmat No. 3 AlabamaNo. 14
CBSL 14–38101,821
October 111:00 amvs. No. 14 Texas A&M*No. 18
ESPNW 42–3869,838
October 86:00 pmNo. 15 AuburnNo. 10
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPNW 38–1474,191
October 2211:21 amat Ole MissNo. 10
SECNW 29–2457,951
October 2911:21 amat VanderbiltNo. 8
SECNW 31–2833,247
November 56:15 pmNo. 10 South CarolinaNo. 8
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPNW 44–2873,804
November 125:00 pmTennesseeNo. 8
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPN2W 49–772,103
November 192:30 pmMississippi StateNo. 6
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Little Rock, AR
CBSW 44–1755,761
November 251:30 pmat No. 1 LSUNo. 3
CBSL 17–4193,108
January 67:00 pmvs. No. 11 Kansas State*No. 7
FoxW 29–1680,956
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[1][2][3]

Rankings

See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP151414141810101088863675
Coaches1413131218121110888631075
HarrisNot released11109886397Not released
BCSNot released910786386Not released

Game summaries

Missouri State

See also: 2011 Missouri State Bears football team
Team 1 234Total
Missouri State 0 070 7
• Arkansas 20 10147 51
Scoring summary
110:32ARKJarius Wright 33-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 7–0
17:52ARKJoe Adams 61-yard punt return (kick failed)ARK 13–0
10:51ARKKody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 20–0
25:01ARKChris Gragg 3-yard pass from Brandon Mitchell (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 27–0
20:14ARKZach Hocker 32-yard field goalARK 30–0
36:17ARKJarius Wright 29-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 37–0
34:15ARKJoe Adams 69-yard punt return (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 44–0
30:45MSUJermain Saffold 33-yard pass from Kierra Harris (Austin Witmer kick)ARK 44–7
412:20ARKKody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 51–7

[4]

New Mexico

See also: 2011 New Mexico Lobos football team
Team 1 234Total
New Mexico 3 000 3
• Arkansas 14 17714 52
Scoring summary
113:03ARKJarius Wright 12-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 7–0
14:57NMJames Aho 47-yard field goalARK 7–3
14:42ARKMarquel Wade 85-yard kickoff return (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 14–3
25:38ARKZach Hocker 24-yard field goalARK 17–3
22:14ARKKody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 24–3
20:17ARKTyler Wilson 7-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 31–3
39:42ARKKody Walker 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 38–3
412:00ARKCobi Hamilton 54-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 45–3
44:28ARKBrandon Mitchell 14-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 52–3

[5]

Troy

See also: 2011 Troy Trojans football team
Team 1 234Total
Troy 0 7147 28
• Arkansas 14 1077 38
Scoring summary
113:09ARKRonnie Wingo Jr. 22-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 7–0
16:00ARKRonnie Wingo Jr. 21-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 14–0
213:56ARKKody Walker 3-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 21–0
26:41ARKZach Hocker 22-yard field goalARK 24–0
20:07TROYEric Thomas 3-yard pass from Corey Robinson (Michael Taylor kick)ARK 24–7
37:28ARKRonnie Wingo Jr. 6-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 31–7
36:40TROYJustin Albert 32-yard pass from Corey Robinson (Michael Taylor kick)ARK 31–14
36:12TROYLaDarrius Madden 53-yard interception return (Michael Taylor kick)ARK 31–21
414:09ARKJoe Adams 56-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 38–21
40:28TROYEric Thomas 24-yard pass from Corey Robinson (Michael Taylor kick)ARK 38–28

[6]

Alabama

See also: 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Team 1 234Total
Arkansas 7 070 14
• Alabama 7 10210 38

Texas A&M

See also: 2011 Texas A&M Aggies football team and Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry
Team 1 234Total
Texas A&M 14 2103 38
• Arkansas 7 101015 42
Scoring summary
112:48A&MChristine Michael 48-yard run (Randy Bullock kick)A&M 7–0
18:45A&MChristine Michael 4-yard run (Randy Bullock kick)A&M 14–0
12:26ARKJarius Wright 68-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)A&M 14–7
210:53A&MCyrus Gray 1-yard run (Randy Bullock kick)A&M 21–7
29:09ARKBroderick Green 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)A&M 21–14
27:05A&MChristine Michael 29-yard run (Randy Bullock kick)A&M 28–14
23:05ARKZach Hocker 26-yard field goalA&M 28–17
20:09A&MCyrus Gray 4-yard run (Randy Bullock kick)A&M 35–17
311:44ARKZach Hocker 32-yard field goalA&M 35–20
37:29ARKRonnie Wingo Jr. 13-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)A&M 35–27
411:00ARKJarius Wright recovered fumble in end zone (Tyler Wilson run)Tied 35–35
44:22A&MRandy Bullock 23-yard field goalA&M 38–35
41:41ARKBroderick Green 3-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 42–38

[7]

On September 25, 2011 (six days prior to the game) Texas A&M announced that it would once again become conference mates with Arkansas, by joining the Southeastern Conference as a full member beginning in 2012.

Near the end of the game, Arkansas fans acknowledged A&M's announcement by appearing on the Cowboys Stadium jumbotron with a large sign saying "Welcome to the SEC".

Auburn

See also: 2011 Auburn Tigers football team
Team 1 234Total
Auburn 14 000 14
• Arkansas 7 14710 38
Scoring summary
19:56AUBMichael Dyer 55-yard run (Cody Parkey kick)AUB 7–0
16:53ARKBroderick Green 6-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)Tied 7–7
10:02AUBKiehl Frazier 7-yard run (Cody Parkey kick)AUB 14–7
29:36ARKTyler Wilson 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)Tied 14–14
24:23ARKJarius Wright 5-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 21–14
37:43ARKJoe Adams 92-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 28–14
412:10ARKZach Hocker 36-yard field goalARK 31–14
45:50ARKDennis Johnson 18-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 38–14

[8]

Ole Miss

See also: 2011 Ole Miss Rebels football team and Arkansas–Ole Miss rivalry
Team 1 234Total
• Arkansas 0 7193 29
Ole Miss 3 1407 24
Scoring summary
13:43MISSBryson Rose 43-yard field goalMISS 3–0
214:50MISSDonte Moncrief 31-yard pass from Randall Mackey (Bryson Rose kick)MISS 10–0
26:42MISSRandall Mackey 3-yard run (Bryson Rose kick)MISS 17–0
25:11ARKDennis Johnson 52-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)MISS 17–7
311:55ARKZach Hocker 33-yard field goalMISS 17–10
36:48ARKTyler Wilson 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)Tied 17–17
33:22ARKTyler Wilson 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 24–17
30:14ARKSafety, Jeff Scott tackled by Jerry Franklin in end zoneARK 26–17
411:31ARKZach Hocker 23-yard field goalARK 29–17
41:23MISSDonte Moncrief 4-yard pass from Randall Mackey (Bryson Rose kick)ARK 29–24

[9]

Vanderbilt

See also: 2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
Team 1 234Total
• Arkansas 7 7611 31
Vanderbilt 7 1470 28
Scoring summary
19:24VANJordan Matthews 21-yard pass from Jordan Rodgers (Carey Spear kick)VAN 7–0
14:02ARKBrandon Mitchell 4-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)Tied 7–7
213:03VANJordan Rodgers 19-yard run (Carey Spear kick)VAN 14–7
21:39VANJordan Rodgers 3-yard run (Carey Spear kick)VAN 21–7
20:05ARKJarius Wright 11-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)VAN 21–14
311:39ARKZach Hocker 36-yard field goalVAN 21–17
31:39VANJordan Rodgers 3-yard run (Carey Spear kick)VAN 28–17
31:05ARKZach Hocker 50-yard field goalVAN 28–20
413:25ARKJerry Franklin 94-yard fumble return (Tyler Wilson to Jarius Wright pass)Tied 28–28
46:53ARKZach Hocker 42-yard field goalARK 31–28

[10]

Five and a half minutes into the third quarter, after a three-and-out, while trailing 21-17, Arkansas wide receiver Marquel Wade was ejected for a flagrant personal foul when he hit defenseless punt returner Jonathan Krause.

South Carolina

See also: 2011 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
Team 1 234Total
South Carolina 7 777 28
• Arkansas 10 14614 44
Scoring summary
111:33ARKZach Hocker 44-yard field goalARK 3–0
12:28SCARBrandon Wilds 4-yard run (Jay Wooten kick)SCAR 7–3
12:13ARKDennis Johnson 98-yard kickoff return (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 10–7
213:04SCARDevin Taylor 48-yard interception return (Jay Wooten kick)SCAR 14–10
212:49ARKJarius Wright 68-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 17–14
24:11ARKJarius Wright 16-yard pass from Tyler Wilson (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 24–14
310:50SCARConnor Shaw 9-yard run (Jay Wooten kick)ARK 24–21
37:47ARKZach Hocker 21-yard field goalARK 27–21
31:17ARKZach Hocker 25-yard field goalARK 30–21
410:30SCARConnor Shaw 1-yard run (Jay Wooten kick)ARK 30–28
48:09ARKRonnie Wingo Jr. 4-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)ARK 37–28
44:07ARKBroderick Green 1-yard run (Zach Hocker kick)

[11]

Tennessee

See also: 2011 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Team 1 234Total
Tennessee 0 700 7
• Arkansas 14 71414 49

Mississippi State

See also: 2011 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
Team 1 234Total
Mississippi State 3 707 17
• Arkansas 14 101010 44

A day after the game, tight end Garrett Uekman was found dead in his dorm room of heart problems.

LSU

See also: 2011 LSU Tigers football team and Battle for the Golden Boot
Team 1 234Total
Arkansas 0 1430 17
• LSU 0 21317 41

Kansas State

See also: 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic and 2011 Kansas State Wildcats football team
Team 1 234Total
Kansas State 0 970 16
• Arkansas 3 1673 29

Arkansas and Kansas State met for the first time in postseason and for the fifth time overall. The Razorbacks netted their first Cotton Bowl Classic win since 2000. The 2012 Cotton Bowl was the only non-BCS bowl that featured two Top 10 opponents.

Personnel

Coaching staff

2011 Arkansas Razorbacks coaching staff

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator/secondary – Willy Robinson
  • Linebackers – Reggie Johnson
  • Defensive tackles – Bobby Allen
  • Defensive ends – Steve Caldwell
  • Graduate assistant – Brandon Sharp
  

Special teams

Administrative staff

  • Athletic director (AD) – Jeff Long
  • Director of high school relations – Kevin Peoples
  • Director of on-campus recruiting/eligibility coordinator – Dann Kabala
  • Director of football operations – Mark Robinson
  • Strength and conditioning – Jason Veltkamp

Roster

2011 Arkansas Razorbacks roster

Quarterbacks

  • 8 Tyler Wilson – junior
  • 9 Jacoby Walker – sophomore
  • 13 Brandon Allen – freshman
  • 16 Brian Buehner – sophomore
  • 17 Brandon Mitchell – junior
  • -- Davis McElroy – sophomore

Tailbacks

  • 7 Knile Davis –
  • 27 Chris Milam – sophomore
  • 20 Ronnie Wingo, Jr. – junior
  • 30 Ronald Watkins – junior
  • 33 Dennis Johnson – junior
  • 40 Kody Walker – sophomore
  • -- Dylan Cruz – sophomore

Fullbacks

  • 21 Brad Shearin – sophomore
  • 35 Morgan Linton – freshman
  • 36 Kiero Small – senior
  • 37 Brandon Pyle – sophomore
  • -- Allen Whitlow – sophomore

Wide receivers

  • 1 Marquel Wade – freshman
  • 2 Julian Horton – sophomore
  • 3 Joe Adams – senior
  • 4 Jarius Wright – senior
  • 10 Jarvis Hunter – sophomore
  • 11 Trevor Williams – junior
  • 15 Keante Minor – freshman
  • 19 Javontee Herndon – sophomore
  • 23 De'Anthony Curtis – senior
  • 81 Kane Whitehurst – freshman
  • 83 Maudrecus Humphrey – sophomore
  • 84 Price Holmes – junior
  • 85 Greg Childs – senior
  • 89 Brandon Wolford – sophomore
  • -- Sean Burnette – freshman
  • -- Alex Cacciarelli – freshman
  • -- Alex Pastor – sophomore
  • -- Matthew Showalter – freshman
  

Tight ends

  • 6 Colton Miles-Nash Junior
  • 80 Chris Gragg – junior
  • 82 Brad Taylor – junior
  • 87 Austin Tate – sophomore
  • 88 Garrett Uekman – freshman[A]
  • 89 Andrew Peterson – freshman
  • -- Alex Voelzke – freshman
  • -- Austin Weese – freshman

Offensive line

  • 59 Marcus Danenhauer – freshman
  • 66 Adam Deacon – freshman
  • 70 Chris Stringer – sophomore
  • 71 Jason Peacock – junior
  • 75 Luke Charpentier – freshman
  • 76 Tyler Deacon – junior

Offensive tackles

  • 65 Mitch Smothers – freshman
  • 68 Austin Beck – freshman
  • 69 David Hurd – sophomore
  • 74 Brey Cook – freshman
  • 79 Grant Freeman – senior

Offensive guards

  • 56 Blake Gunderson – junior
  • 67 Alvin Bailey – sophomore
  • 72 Grant Cook – senior

Centers

Defensive ends

  • 83 Darrick Sullivan – freshman
  • 43 Tenarius Wright – junior
  • 50 Grady Ollison – freshman
  • 86 Trey Flowers – freshman
  • 91 Jake Bequette – senior
  • 94 Will Coleman – sophomore
  • 95 Horace Arkadie – freshman
  • -- Ben Poeschel – freshman
  

Defensive tackles

  • 51 Alfred Davis – junior
  • 54 Byran Jones – sophomore
  • 57 Jared Green – senior
  • 61 Zach Stadther – senior
  • 63 Devin Bowers – freshman
  • 92 DeQuinta Jones – junior
  • 93 DeMarcus Hodge – freshman
  • 96 Jeremiah Jackson – freshman
  • 98 Robert Thomas – sophomore
  • 99 Lavunce Askew – senior

Linebackers

  • 10 Braylon Mitchell – freshman
  • 25 Terrell Williams – junior
  • 31 Jerico Nelson – sophomore
  • 32 Bret Harris – senior
  • 34 Jerry Franklin – junior
  • 35 Ross Rasner – junior
  • 39 Jarrett Lake – sophomore
  • 44 Robert Atiga – sophomore
  • 45 Alonzo Highsmith – junior
  • 46 Tyler Gilbert – freshman
  • 47 Matt Marshall – junior
  • 48 Austin Jones – sophomore
  • 52 Mitchell Loewen – senior
  • 55 Brock Haman – freshman
  • 97 Darrell Kelly-Thomas – freshman
  • -- Joe Bequette – freshman

Cornerbacks

  • 6 Isaac Madison – senior
  • 8 Tevin Mitchel – freshman
  • 21 Darius Winston – junior
  • 22 Kelvin Fisher Jr. – freshman
  • 28 Greg Gatson – senior
  • 18 Jay Nelson -Junior
  • 38 Jerry Mitchell – sophomore
  • -- Dakota Baggett – freshman
  • -- Kaelon Kellybrew – senior

Safeties

  • 36 Tramain Thomas – senior
  • 19 Elton Ford – senior
  • 13 Seth Armbrust – senior
  • 14 Eric Bennett – sophomore
  • 16 Ryan Farr – junior
  • 22 Darrell Smith – sophomore
  • 24 Daunte Carr – freshman
  • 26 Rohan Gaines – freshman
  • 20 Alan Turner – freshman
  • 30 Houston Pruitt – sophomore
  • 31 Jerico Nelson – senior
  • 49 Brett Weir – freshman
  

Punters/Kickers

  • 14 Dylan Breeding – junior
  • 18 Zach Hocker – sophomore
  • 43 John Henson – freshman
  • 47 Cameron Bryan – junior
  • -- Crawford Sullins – freshman
  • -- Forbes Harris – freshman

Long snappers

  • 53 Allan D'Appollonio – freshman
  • 62 Nick Brewer – junior
  • -- Drew Gorton – freshman

Terms:

  • Freshman – A player in his first year.
  • Sophomore – A player in his second year.
  • Junior – A player in his third year.
  • Senior – A player in his fourth year.
  • Redshirt – A player who sat out a
    previous season.

Notes

  1. ^ Uekman died during the season on November 11. Because he was on the roster for the team's first nine games, he is still listed on the roster.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule 2011". ESPN. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "2011 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  3. ^ "2011 Football Schedule". University of Arkansas. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "No. 15 Arkansas Wins 51–7 over Missouri State." ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "New Mexico vs. Arkansas - Game Recap - September 10, 2011 - ESPN".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "Troy vs. Arkansas - Game Recap - September 17, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  7. ^ "Texas A&M vs. Arkansas - Game Recap - October 1, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on October 3, 2011.
  8. ^ "Auburn vs. Arkansas - Game Recap - October 8, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on October 10, 2011.
  9. ^ "Arkansas vs. Ole Miss - Game Recap - October 22, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on October 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt - Game Recap - October 29, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  11. ^ "South Carolina vs. Arkansas - Game Recap - November 5, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on November 8, 2011.
  12. ^ "Arkansas TE Garrett Uekman dies". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 20, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
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