HawgBeat – By the Numbers: 28 days until Arkansas football

The Arkansas Razorbacks will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 28 days when Western Carolina visits War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Saturday, September 2 for a 3 p.m. CT kickoff.

Here at HawgBeat, we will count down the days until head coach Sam Pittman and his team run through the “A” for the first time.

With 28 days remaining, we will take a look at a current player, former player, some interesting scores, highlights and other miscellaneous things in Razorback history tied to the number 28.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker transferred to Arkansas from Cincinnati, where he played 23 games from 2020-22. Last season, Thomas totaled 70 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

In the season opener against the Razorbacks, the Ohio native recorded seven total tackles and half a tackle for loss. Versus SMU, he made seven tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. His season-high 11 tackles came in the game against Tulane.

Thomas is currently in a battle with fellow transfer linebacker Antonio Grier Jr. and returnees Chris Paul Jr. and Jordan Crook for a starting linebacker spot. Head coach Sam Pittman spoke about Thomas on Friday following the team’s first practice of fall camp.

Gatson was a two-star prospect from Germantown High School. However, his ranking was not an indication of the heights his football career would reach.

From 2009-11, the Dallas native compiled 54 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions. His career-best game came in 2011 against Texas A&M. He wrapped up eight defenders and had one interception versus the Aggies.

Third-year head coach Francis Schmidt led the Razorbacks into Fort Smith for a non-conference matchup against Phillips. Arkansas was coming off a game against SMU that ended in a 14-14 tie.

There are no recorded statistics for the matchup, but Arkansas did win the game, 28-6. The Razorbacks went 1-1 in their two final games against Oklahoma State and TCU to finish the season 7-2-1 overall.

Yes, we’re doing THAT game. The game that every Razorback fan that viewed it wished they could forget. Coming into this matchup, the 8-0 then-No. 10 Razorbacks were looking to make a big push towards the national championship game with a potential win over the 8-0 then-No. 1 Volunteers.

After Arkansas got out to a 21-10 lead at the half, the 106,365 fans at Neyland Stadium were stunned. Following field goals by both teams and a Tennessee touchdown, the Arkansas lead was cut down to 24-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

With under three minutes to play, Arkansas just had to get a few first downs to ice the game away. Tennessee forced a punt, but the snap was too high and fell out of the back of the end zone for a safety, resulting in a 24-22 game.

Tennessee had its chance, but squabbled it. After a quick turnover on downs and under two minutes to play, all of the momentum was on the Razorbacks’ sideline.

Needing only one first down to win the game, Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner stumbled after taking the snap and fumbled the ball. Tennessee’s Billy Ratliff recovered it on the 43-yard line with 1:43 left to play.

After five straight runs, running back Travis Henry scored the game-winning touchdown. Arkansas’ hopes for a championship trophy died in Neyland Stadium that day following a 28-24 loss.

During a five year stretch in Fayetteville, running back Cedric Cobbs scored 26 rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown for 28 total in his career.

He also totaled 3,018 rushing yards on 589 carries for a 5.1 yard average. His career touchdown game came in 2001 against Mississippi State. In that matchup, Cobbs collected three touchdowns and 101 rushing yards. His career-best in rushing yards came in his final collegiate season versus Alabama, when he recorded 198 yards on 36 attempts.

Cobbs was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

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