Razorbacks and Fans Go Hog Wild

Beating Texas would have been good enough for Arkansas fans. Seeing the Razorbacks score often in the second half and pound Longhorn quarterbacks and running backs only made it better.

Cedric Cobbs scored touchdowns on a 30-yard pass play and a 37-yard run and Michael Jenkins had a 42-yard touchdown run--all in the second half--as No. 24 Arkansas returned to the Cotton Bowl and beat No. 14 Texas, 27-6, Saturday.

“Very few Arkansas teams have beaten Texas, much less 27-6--that’s awesome,” Razorback Coach Houston Nutt said. “To beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl is something our program and our fans will never forget.”

Arkansas, which ended a seven-game bowl losing streak that dated to December 1985, broke open a tight game by scoring on four consecutive drives in the third and fourth quarters.

The Razorbacks (8-4) also were impressive on defense, getting eight sacks and holding the Longhorns (9-5) to minus-27 yards rushing. Arkansas also had a goal-line stand that kept Texas from tying the game at 10-10.

The Longhorns, whose leading receiver (Kwami Cavil) and top defensive lineman (Aaron Humphrey) were suspended Thursday, ended the season with three consecutive losses. They didn’t score an offensive touchdown over their final 10 quarters.

Texas had planned to use both Major Applewhite and Chris Simms at quarterback, but had no choice after Applewhite left because of a knee injury early in the fourth quarter.

Neither was very productive. Applewhite was 15 for 21 for 121 yards and Simms was 9 for 18 for 91 yards.

Arkansas fans set the tone for the game. Although the school sold only 21,000 tickets, its followers made up more than half the crowd of 72,723 and seemingly all wore red for the first game between the former Southwest Conference rivals since 1991.

Razorback fans even chanted “S-E-C” as a reminder of the conference Arkansas joined after leaving the SWC.