2015 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

2015 Arkansas Razorbacks football

Liberty Bowl champion
Liberty Bowl, W 45–23 vs. Kansas State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
2015 record	8–5 (5–3 SEC)
Head coach	Bret Bielema (3rd year)
Offensive coordinator	Dan Enos (1st year)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Robb Smith (2nd year)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Capacity: 72,000) War Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 53,955)

2015 SEC football standings
	Conf				Overall
Team		W		L		W		L
East Division
#25 Florida x		7	–	1		10	–	4
#22 Tennessee		5	–	3		9	–	4
Georgia		5	–	3		10	–	3
Vanderbilt		2	–	6		4	–	8
Kentucky		2	–	6		5	–	7
Missouri		1	–	7		5	–	7
South Carolina		1	–	7		3	–	9
West Division
#1 Alabama x$#^		7	–	1		14	–	1
#10 Ole Miss		6	–	2		10	–	3
Arkansas		5	–	3		8	–	5
#16 LSU		5	–	3		9	–	3
Texas A&M		4	–	4		8	–	5
Mississippi State		4	–	4		9	–	4
Auburn		2	–	6		7	–	6
Championship: Alabama 29, Florida 15
# – College Football Playoff champion ^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 2015 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. They competed as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas was led by third-year head coach Bret Bielema. Dan Enos served his first season as offensive coordinator, replacing Jim Chaney who left for a job with Pittsburgh. Enos was previously the head coach of Central Michigan.

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Seasons at Arkansas	Alma Mater
Bret Bielema	Head Coach	2	Iowa (1992)
Dan Enos	Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks	0	Michigan State (1991)
Sam Pittman	Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator	2	Pittsburg State (1986)
Barry Lunney Jr.	Tight ends	2	Arkansas (1996)
Michael Smith	Wide receivers	2	Kansas State (1991)
Jemal Singleton	Running backs	0	Air Force (1999)
Robb Smith	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary	1	Allegheny College (1997)
Vernon Hargreaves	Linebackers	0	Connecticut (1986)
Clay Jennings	Secondary	1	North Texas (1996)
Rory Segrest	Defensive Line/Specialists	1	Alabama (1996)
Ernest E.K. Franks	Director of Recruiting	2	Kansas State (2002)
Reference:^[1]

Background

In the second season under head coach Bret Bielema, the Razorbacks went to a bowl game and had a winning record for the first time since 2011, which was the last season of former head coach Bobby Petrino.

Arkansas won three of its last four games, including becoming the first team in NCAA Division I history to shut out consecutive ranked opponents (LSU, Ole Miss) as an unranked team.

They ended the year by routing rival Texas in the 2014 Texas Bowl, 31–7.

Recap

Arkansas lost leading returning rusher Jonathan Williams before the season to a foot injury, tempering expectations slightly, but the #18 ranked Razorbacks cruised to a 48-13 victory over UTEP in the season opener.

The next three weeks, however, were full of disappointment. First, the Razorbacks lost to Toledo, a 23-point underdog, in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium, 16-12, and then turned around and lost to Texas Tech in Fayetteville, 35-24. A week later, Texas A&M defeated the Razorbacks in overtime for the second consecutive year, 28-21, to begin SEC play.

Bielema got his first SEC road win to begin October, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers 24-20 in Neyland Stadium. After dropping one on the road to eventual SEC champion Alabama on October 10, the Razorbacks would not lose again until November 21.

That included a four-overtime win at home over Auburn, a wild overtime victory over then #19 Ole Miss on the road which saw the Razorbacks convert a 4th-and-25 in overtime via a lateral from tight end Hunter Henry, and a 31-14 dismantling of then #9 LSU.

Despite losing a shootout to Mississippi State in Fayetteville, Arkansas bounced back with a 28-3 victory in the regular season finale over Missouri in Gary Pinkel's final game coaching the Tigers.

Arkansas accepted an invitation to the Liberty Bowl to play Kansas State on Jan. 2. Thanks to three touchdowns and 185 yards from running back Alex Collins, the Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats, 45-23. It was the first time Arkansas had won back-to-back bowl games in consecutive seasons in program history, and the 45 points was the most ever in a bowl game. The Razorbacks have won each of their last three bowl games, counting back to the 2012 Cotton Bowl.

The seven regular season wins, including five in SEC play, were the most for Arkansas since Bobby Petrino's final season in 2011. That season also ended with a bowl game victory against Kansas State.

Tight end Hunter Henry and offensive guard Sebastian Tretola were named first team All-SEC. Henry was also a consensus first team All-American, and won the John Mackey Award given to the nation's best tight end. Tretola was named an All-American as well. Quarterback Brandon Allen, Collins, and offensive tackle Dan Skipper were named second team All-SEC. Freshman linebacker Dre Greenlaw was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, as well as the Freshman All-American Team.

Collins was named the Liberty Bowl MVP. Collins would finish the season with 1,577 yards rushing, good enough for third place in the Arkansas all-time single season record book. Collins' 20 rushing touchdowns in 2015 ranks first for the Hogs program. Collins elected to leave early for the NFL draft, finishing his college career with 3,703 yards, which is second in school history behind only Darren McFadden, and 36 rushing touchdowns. He also became only the third player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, joining McFadden (2005-2007) and Ben Cowins (1976-1978), as well as joining McFadden and Herschel Walker as the only running backs in SEC history to have 1,000 yard seasons in their first three years playing college football.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 5	2:30 p.m.	UTEP*	No. 18	Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR	ESPNU	W 48–13	67,708
September 12	3:00 p.m.	Toledo*	No. 18	War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, AR	SECN	L 12–16	49,591
September 19	6:00 p.m.	Texas Tech*		Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR	ESPN2	L 24–35	73,334
September 26	6:00 p.m.	vs. No. 14 Texas A&M		AT&T Stadium • Arlington, TX (Rivalry)	ESPN	L 21–28 ^OT	67,339
October 3	6:00 p.m.	at Tennessee		Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	ESPN2	W 24–20	101,265
October 10	6:00 p.m.	at No. 8 Alabama		Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	ESPN	L 14–27	101,821
October 24	11:00 a.m.	Auburn		Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR	SECN	W 54–46 ^4OT	72,008
October 31	3:00 p.m.	Tennessee–Martin*		Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR	SECN	W 63–28	64,206
November 7	2:30 p.m.	at No. 19 Ole Miss		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS (Rivalry)	CBS	W 53–52 ^OT	60,680
November 14	6:15 p.m.	at No. 9 LSU		Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Golden Boot)	ESPN	W 31–14	101,699
November 21	6:00 p.m.	Mississippi State		Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR	ESPN	L 50–51	71,936
November 27	1:30 p.m.	Missouri		Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR (Battle Line Rivalry)	CBS	W 28–3	65,228
January 2	2:20 p.m.	vs. Kansas State*		Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN (Liberty Bowl)	ESPN	W 45–23	61,136
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. ^#Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Central Time.

Schedule Source:^[2]

Game summaries

UTEP

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
2–0	2010	W 58–21

UTEP Miners at #18 Arkansas Razorbacks

	1	2	3	4	Total
Miners	0	10	3	0	13
#18 Razorbacks	14	14	17	3	48

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR

Date: September 5, 2015
Game time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Game attendance: 67,708
TV: ESPNU
Source^[3]

Game information

First Quarter

(11:35) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 26-yard pass to Drew Morgan (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(4:11) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 20-yard pass to Keon Hatcher (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Second Quarter

(12:51) UTEP FG: Jay Mattox 38-yard field goal.
(11:17) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 58-yard pass to Jared Cornelius (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(8:56) UTEP TD: Autrey Golden 10-yard rush (Jay Mattox PAT).
(5:17) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 38-yard pass to Keon Hatcher (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Third Quarter

(14:42) ARK TD: Alex Collins 7-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(12:57) ARK TD: Kody Walker 3-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(8:38) ARK TD: Cole Hedlund 19-yard field goal.
(3:01) UTEP FG: Jay Mattox 44-yard field goal.

Fourth Quarter

(6:30) ARK FG: Cole Hedlund 27-yard field goal.

Top Passers

UTEP – Mack Leftwich: 9/14, 120 yds, 1 INT
ARK – Brandon Allen: 14/18: 308 yds, 4 TD

Top Rushers

UTEP – Aaron Jones: 15 att, 70 yds
ARK – Alex Collins: 12 att, 127 yds, 1 TD

Top Receiving

UTEP – Aaron Jones: 6 rec, 83 yds
ARK – Keon Hatcher: 6 rec, 106 yds, 2 TD

Toledo

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

Toledo Rockets at #18 Arkansas Razorbacks

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rockets	6	3	7	0	16
#18 Razorbacks	0	7	0	5	12

at War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, AR

Date: September 12, 2015
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CT
Game attendance: 49,591
TV: SEC Network
Source^[4]

Game information

First Quarter

(6:59) TOL TD: Phillip Ely 5-yard pass to Corey Jones (2-pt. no good).

Second Quarter

(7:53) ARK TD: Alex Collins 21-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(1:06) TOL FG: Jameson Vest 38-yard field goal.

Third Quarter

(5:09) TOL TD: Damion Jones-Moore 11-yard rush (Jameson Vest PAT).

Fourth Quarter

(9:30) ARK FG: Cole Hedlund 25-yard field goal.
(0:52) ARK SAFETY: TOLEDO rush for -14 yds.

Top Passers

TOL – Phillip Ely: 21/38, 237 yds, 1 TD
ARK – Brandon Allen: 32/53, 412 yds, 1 INT

Top Rushers

TOL – Damion Jones-Moore: 11 att, 68 yds, 1 TD
ARK – Alex Collins: 20 att, 54 yds, 1 TD

Top Receiving

TOL – Corey Jones: 8 rec, 61 yds, 1 TD
ARK – Hunter Henry: 8 rec, 117 yds

Texas Tech

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
29–7	2014	W 49–28

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Arkansas Razorbacks

	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Raiders	14	7	7	7	35
Razorbacks	7	14	3	0	24

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR

Date: September 19, 2015
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Game attendance: 73,334
TV: ESPN2
Source^[5]

Game information

First Quarter

(10:45) TTU TD: Patrick Mahomes II 3-yard pass to Reginald Davis III (Michael Barden PAT).
(3:06) ARK TD: Alex Collins 1-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(0:21) TTU TD: Patick Mahomes II 1-yard rush (Michael Barden PAT).

Second Quarter

(8:18) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 7-yard pass to Hunter Henry (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(7:52) TTU TD: Jakeem Grant 72-yard pass to Reginald Davis III (Michael Barden PAT).
(1:03) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 24-yard pass to Drew Morgan (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Third Quarter

(10:31) TTU TD: Patrick Mahomes II 2-yard rush (Michael Barden PAT).
(2:00) ARK FG: Cole Hedlund 22-yard field goal.

Fourth Quarter

(13:09) TTU TD: Justin Stockton 22-yard rush (Michael Barden PAT).

Top Passers

TTU – Patrick Mahomes II: 26/30, 243 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
ARK – Brandon Allen: 16/21: 196 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT

Top Rushers

TTU – DeAndre Washington: 11 att, 75 yds
ARK – Alex Collins: 28 att, 170 yds, 1 TD

Top Receiving

TTU – Reginald Davis III: 5 rec, 115 yds, 2 TD
ARK – Drew Morgan: 4 rec, 45 yds, 1 TD

vs #14 Texas A&M

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
41–27–3	2014	L 28–35^OT

#14 Texas A&M Aggies vs Arkansas Razorbacks

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
#14 Aggies	0	10	3	8	7	28
Razorbacks	7	0	7	7	0	21

at AT&T Stadium • Arlington, TX

Date: September 26, 2015
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Game attendance: 67,339
TV: ESPN
Source^[6]

Game information

First Quarter

(1:08) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 17-yard pass to Drew Morgan (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Second Quarter

(14:48) A&M TD: Kyle Allen 44-yard pass to Christian Kirk (Taylor Bertolet PAT).
(5:33) A&M FG: Taylor Bertolet 23-yard field goal.

Third Quarter

(8:04) A&M FG: Taylor Bertolet 22-yard field goal.
(4:17) ARK TD: Alex Collins 4-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Fourth Quarter

(14:12) ARK TD: Rawleigh Williams III 3-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(2:50) A&M TD: Tra Carson 2-yard rush (2-pt. good).

Overtime

(OT) A&M TD: Kyle Allen 20-yard pass to Christian Kirk (Taylor Bertolet PAT).

Top Passers

A&M – Kyle Allen: 21/28, 358 yds, 2 TD
ARK – Brandon Allen: 20/25: 225 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT

Top Rushers

A&M – Tra Carson: 8 att, 28 yds, 1 TD
ARK – Alex Collins: 26 att, 151 yds, 1 TD

Top Receiving

A&M – Christian Kirk: 8 rec, 173 yds, 2 TD
ARK – Drew Morgan: 8 rec, 155 yds, 1 TD

at Tennessee

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
5–12	2011	W 49–7

Arkansas Razorbacks at Tennessee Volunteers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Razorbacks	7	10	7	0	24
Volunteers	14	3	3	0	20

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN

Date: October 3, 2015
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Game attendance: 101,265
TV: ESPN2
Source^[7]

Game information

First Quarter

(14:46) TENN TD: Evan Berry 96-yard kickoff return (Aaron Medley PAT).
(8:06) TENN TD: Joshua Dobbs 7-yard rush (Aaron Medley PAT).
(5:57) ARK TD: Alex Collins 4-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Second Quarter

(14:03) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 33-yard pass to Dominique Reed (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(9:54) TENN FG: Aaron Medley 35-yard field goal.
(0:00) ARK FG: Cole Hedlund 26-yard field goal.

Third Quarter

(9:12) ARK TD: Alex Collins 1-yard rush (Cole Hedlund PAT).
(6:41) TENN FG: Aaron Medley 45-yard field goal.

Fourth Quarter

No scoring

Top Passers

ARK – Brandon Allen: 11/24, 219 yds, 1 TD
TENN – Joshua Dobbs: 20/36, 232 yds

Top Rushers

ARK – Alex Collins: 27 att, 154 yds, 2 TD
TENN – Jalen Hurd: 19 att, 90 yds

Top Receiving

ARK – Drew Morgan: 5 rec, 110 yds
TENN – Jalen Hurd: 3 rec, 51 yds

at #8 Alabama

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
8–15	2014	L 13–14

Arkansas Razorbacks at #8 Alabama Crimson Tide

	1	2	3	4	Total
Razorbacks	0	7	0	7	14
#8 Crimson Tide	3	0	7	17	27

at Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL

Date: October 10, 2015
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Game attendance: 101,821
TV: ESPN
Source^[8]

Game information

First Quarter

(7:09) ALA FG: Adam Griffith 24-yard field goal.

Second Quarter

(1:29) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 4-yard pass to Drew Morgan (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Third Quarter

(1:39) ALA TD: Jake Coker 81-yard pass to Calvin Ridley (Adam Griffith PAT).

Fourth Quarter

(12:49) ALA TD: Jake Coker 3-yard pass to Richard Mullaney (Adam Griffith PAT).
(10:07) ALA FG: Adam Griffith 35-yard field goal.
(2:44) ALA TD: Derrick Henry 1-yard rush (Adam Griffith PAT).
(1:37) ARK TD: Brandon Allen 54-yard pass to Dominique Reed (Cole Hedlund PAT).

Top Passers

ARK – Brandon Allen: 15/32, 176 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
ALA – Jake Coker: 24/33, 262 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top Rushers

ARK – Alex Collins: 12 att, 26 yds
ALA – Derrick Henry: 27 att, 95 yds, 1 TD

Top Receiving

ARK – Dominique Reed: 3 rec, 77 yds, 1 TD
ALA – Calvin Ridley: 9 rec, 140 yds, 1 TD

Rankings

Further information: 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	18	18	RV	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	RV	RV	RV	RV
Coaches	20	18	RV	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	RV	RV	RV	NR	NR
CFP	Not released									NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	Not released

References

↑ "Football – 2015 Coaches". University of Arkansas Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
↑ "2014 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
↑ http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400603828
↑ http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400603861
↑ http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400603851
↑ http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400603842
↑ http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400603884
↑ http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400603899

Arkansas Razorbacks football

Venues	The Hill (1894–1938) Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (1938–present) War Memorial Stadium (alternate, 1948–present)

Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Auburn LSU Missouri: Battle Line Rivalry Ole Miss Texas Texas A&M

Culture & lore	Calling the Hogs Tusk Big Red "Arkansas Fight" Marching band Wildcat offense 2003 Kentucky game 1969 "Game of the Century"

People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders

Seasons	1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

National championship seasons in bold

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