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.
Personnel Coaching staff 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks coaching staffHead coaches Head coach – Bobby Petrino
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Garrick McGee Running backs/recruiting coordinator – Tim Horton Tight ends – Richard Owens Wide receivers – Kris Cinkovich Offensive line – Chris Klenakis Graduate assistant – Richard Owens
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/secondary – Willy Robinson Linebackers – Reggie Johnson Defensive tackles – Bobby Allen Defensive ends – Steve Caldwell Graduate assistant – Brandon Sharp Special teams Special teams coordinator/outside linebackers – John L. Smith
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 rosterQuarterbacks 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 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 58 Ray Gervasi – freshman 64 Travis Swanson – sophomore
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.
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries Missouri State
ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Retrieved October 23, 2011. Statistics MOSTARK First downs 9 24 Total yards 163 466 Rushing yards 84 102 Passing yards 79 364 Passing: comp–att–int 9–18–1 28–35–0 Turnovers 1 1 Team Category Player StatisticsMissouri State Passing Kierra Harris 8/14, 70 yards, TD, INT Rushing Chris Douglas 18 rushes, 72 yards Receiving Jermaine Saffold 1 reception, 33 yards, TD Arkansas Passing Tyler Wilson 18/24, 260 yards, 2 TD Rushing Ronnie Wingo 11 rushes, 43 yards Receiving Jarius Wright 6 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD
New Mexico
Statistics NMSUARK First downs 15 34 Total yards 297 632 Rushing yards 95 259 Passing yards 202 373 Passing: comp–att–int 22–38–0 26–39–1 Turnovers 0 4 Team Category Player Statistics New Mexico State Passing Tarean Austin 15/28, 162 yards Rushing Tarean Austin 7 rushes, 31 yards Receiving Lamaar Thomas 5 receptions, 60 yards Arkansas Passing Tyler Wilson 18/26, 259 yards, TD, INT Rushing Ronnie Wingo 12 rushes, 73 yards Receiving Cobi Hamilton 5 receptions, 132 yards, TD
Troy
Statistics TROYARK First downs 22 26 Total yards 457 454 Rushing yards 84 151 Passing yards 373 303 Passing: comp–att–int 36–63–1 23–36–1 Turnovers 1 3 Team Category Player Statistics Troy Passing Corey Robinson 36/63, 373 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Corey Robinson 3 rushes, 33 yards Receiving Stanley Arukwe 4 receptions, 84 yards Arkansas Passing Tyler Wilson 23/36, 303 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Ronnie Wingo 20 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD Receiving Joe Adams 8 receptions, 109 yards, TD
At No. 3 Alabama
Statistics ARKALA First downs 14 16 Total yards 226 397 Rushing yards 17 197 Passing yards 209 200 Passing: comp–att–int 24–40–2 15–20–0 Turnovers 2 0 Team Category Player Statistics Arkansas Passing Tyler Wilson 22/35, 185 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Ronnie Wingo 11 rushes, 35 yards Receiving Ronnie Wingo 3 receptions, 43 yards Alabama Passing A. J. McCarron 15/20, 200 yards, 2 TD Rushing Trent Richardson 17 rushes, 126 yards Receiving Trent Richardson 3 receptions, 85 yards, TD
Vs. No. 14 Texas A&M
Statistics TAMUARK First downs 30 28 Total yards 628 581 Rushing yards 381 71 Passing yards 247 510 Passing: comp–att–int 25–35–1 30–51–0 Turnovers 2 0 Team Category Player Statistics Texas A&M Passing Ryan Tannehill 25/35, 247 yards, INT Rushing Christine Michael 32 rushes, 230 yards, 3 TD Receiving Ryan Swope 5 receptions, 92 yards Arkansas Passing Tyler Wilson 30/51, 510 yards, 3 TD Rushing Dennis Johnson 8 rushes, 54 yards Receiving Jarius Wright 13 receptions, 281 yards, 2 TD
No. 15 Auburn
Statistics AUBARK First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving
At Ole Miss
Statistics ARKMISS First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving Ole Miss Passing Rushing Receiving
At Vanderbilt
Statistics ARKVAN First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving Vanderbilt Passing Rushing Receiving
No. 10 South Carolina
Statistics SCARARK First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics South Carolina Passing Rushing Receiving Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving
Tennessee
Statistics TENNARK First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Tennessee Passing Rushing Receiving Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving
Mississippi State
Statistics MSSTARK First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Mississippi State Passing Rushing Receiving Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving
At No. 1 LSU
Statistics ARKLSU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving LSU Passing Rushing Receiving
Vs. No. 11 Kansas State (Cotton Bowl Classic)
Statistics KSUARK First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Team Category Player Statistics Kansas State Passing Rushing Receiving Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving
Notes
References