We (Mom, Dad, Shelby, & I) attended the Arkansas-Texas basketball game Tuesday night.  Arkansas beat Texas by a score of 67 – 61.  This was the 2nd time in 2 weeks that Arkansas beat a top 10 (Big 12) team – #4 Oklahoma last week & #7 Texas Tuesday night.

We got our tickets somewhat at the last moment so we literally sat in the top row.  There isn’t a bad seat in the arena, though, so we had a great view.  (Plus, my new camera zooms wonderfully even in the poor lighting of the top row and without a flash.)

It was a GREAT game.  There are just no words to explain the atmosphere in Bud Walton Arena when the fans are completely involved in the game.  It is loud and ridiculous (in a good way).

Former Razorback head coach Eddie Sutton was even in attendance.  (I’m pointing to him above.)  We were quite oblivious to this fact, though, until John George announced him as being there (which required him to stand and wave to the crowd).  I made sure to glance over at him across the way a few times after that to see what he was doing.  (Was he clapping?  Was he calling the hogs?  Etc, etc.)  Shelby says she saw him clap but I never witnessed it.  I don’t think it was lack of liking on his part of the Razorbacks.  I just figure the coach in him was watching the game too intently.  He did get a good workout having to stand every couple of minutes while we cheered and carried on, though.

Arkansas starts SEC play on Saturday with a home game against Mississippi State.  While I’m very, very excited about our starting 12-1 record, I’m also holding out my extreme excitement until we’ve played an SEC game or two (or maybe even a road game).  I did see someone mention today that the last time we started this well was in 1995, which is when we made it all the way back to the national championship game (after winning it all in 1994).  There have also been several “experts” already predicting what seed we are going to be in the NCAA tournament.  I guess we’ll see how the SEC schedule pans out for us.  Go Hogs!

Here is my collection of photos I took at the game.

Don’t forget to vote for Casey Dick’s pass to London Crawford in the final seconds of the Arkansas-LSU football game as the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the season.  If Arkansas wins the final vote tally, the $100,000 prize money will be dedicated to US Veterans scholarships at the University of Arkansas.  Click here to vote.  Thanks!

(The slogan I used as this post title was taken from a t-shirt for sale in the Hog Heaven store prior to the basketball game.)

Photo Courtesy: Wesley Hitt/Arkansas

The Battle of the Boot, as the annual Arkansas-LSU football game is referred to, is always a good game.  Based on the stats the commentators kept giving today, I’d say LSU is typically the winning football team.  When Arkansas wins, though, it’s big-time.  Below are a couple of examples (including today’s win).  Another example was last year’s win against #1 LSU (who went on to win the national championship after the loss to AR at home).

November 23, 2002 was the date of the original play Arkansas fans call the “Miracle on Markham”.  Matt Jones threw a “miraculous” pass to DeCori Birmingham with 9 seconds left in the game to beat LSU.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0TBOV2sn-o

Today is the date of the second “Miracle on Markham” (in my opinion).  Casey Dick threw a great pass to London Crawford with 21 seconds left in the game to beat LSU.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT0nmrNXIDQ

By the way…Markham refers to the street that War Memorial Stadium is on in Little Rock (where Arkansas plays 2 home games a year).

As a special video bonus, I thought I’d share this one.  The picture of Matt Jones dunking this football was my wallpaper for a long while after this game.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKt9T-27ZIg

AR QB Casey Dick’s average passing yards per game ranks #1 in the SEC and #8 in the NCAA.  (Ole Miss’ QB holds the total passing yards lead in the SEC.  Seriously?  When did Houston Nutt start passing???)

So, some former Hogs are doing quite well in their rookie season in the NFL.  Raider Darren McFadden is #5 in total rushing yards.  And, in case you missed it Monday night, here is Cowboy Felix Jones’ 98 kickoff return for a touchdown.  This return is very reminiscent of some of his returns as a Razorback, including this 99 yard return in 2006 against Ole Miss.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk8SW3HKFlQ